Planning Commission adopts Envision Lakewood 2040 after changes for equestrian access, transit links and supportive housing

The Lakewood Planning Commission on April 23 voted 6-0 to adopt Envision Lakewood 2040, the city’s updated comprehensive plan, after approving staff-recommended edits and a series of amendments prompted by public comment.

The commission approved a staff memo containing 14 specific edits, then accepted changes to add equestrian language in two strategies, to clarify multimodal access (including equestrians) in transportation language, to add pedestrian access wording at the Oak Street Station, and to strengthen references to temporary, transitional and permanent housing and supportive services. Commissioners also directed staff to add a glossary definition of “limited animal keeping” (to explicitly reference horses and other livestock) so the plan’s references are clearer.

The changes reflect months of review and a second public hearing on the draft plan. Planning staff recommended adoption of the “Envision Lakewood 2040” advisory document with the edits filed in the staff memo; commissioners and members of the public proposed targeted text additions to address safety for equestrians, better transit connections, tree preservation and homelessness services. All amendments put forward and recorded in the meeting passed by unanimous votes.

Commission discussion and public comments

Planning staff said the memo…