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Lakewood residents assail Belmar Park development, cite tree removals and urge accountability
Summary
Multiple residents told the Lakewood City Council on June 9 that recent tree removals and the proposed Kairoi/Belmar Park development have damaged wildlife habitat and violated city standards; speakers asked for investigations, a town hall and enforcement of the city's planning rules.
Regina Hopkins, a Ward 5 resident, told the Lakewood City Council on June 9 that she and others are "angry" and "frustrated" after what she said was the removal of nearly 70 protected trees at Belmar Park earlier this month.
Speakers at the council meeting accused the city and the developer behind the project variously identified in public comments as Kairoi or Cairo (spelling inconsistent in remarks) of ignoring tree-preservation rules, harming wildlife habitat and prioritizing development over resident concerns. "You just stood by while our wildlife was destroyed and handed them the chainsaws," Hopkins said.
Crystal Ray read remarks on behalf of Tom Dirth, identifying community opposition to a proposed 411-unit apartment complex adjacent to the…
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