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 and its 14 edits summarize comments received during earlier hearings and online and would be incorporated into the final plan if the commission adopted the document. Staff reiterated the comp plan is an advisory document that guides future zoning and public investments.

Public commenters urged explicit recognition of equestrian uses and protections in several parts of the plan. Speakers including Lauren Scanlon, Jake McGrath, Samantha Yakimo, Selena Williams, Lee Peters and others asked the commission to add language to park, transportation and land-use strategies so horse owners and equestrian trail users are acknowledged and safety measures are considered. Several equestrian commenters referenced SB25-149 (described at the hearing as the Equestrian Protection Act) as an example of state-level policy that can inform local language.

RTD connectivity and pedestrian access

Brett Pagliari, a member of the RTD Board (District M), urged the city to add language to the Denver West Community Hub section encouraging pedestrian access to nearby rail stations, specifically noting a potential pedestrian crossing of Sixth Avenue. The commission voted to add wording on pedestrian access at the Oak Street Station and to accept RTD’s suggested language on pedestrian crossings linking the Denver West hub to light rail.

Animal keeping and glossary definition

Planning staff said the plan already lists “urban agriculture, horticulture, and limited animal keeping” among generally allowed uses, but commissioners and members of the public asked for clearer language. Commissioners debated whether to add specific animals in every instance the phrase appears or to add a single glossary definition. Commissioners voted to direct staff to add a glossary definition of limited animal keeping that references horses and other livestock and to ensure consistent language across the plan rather than manually editing each land-use paragraph.

Supportive housing and services

Multiple motions amended plan language to underscore the role of “temporary, transitional and permanent” housing in homelessness response and to add emphasis on permanent supportive services in strategies referenced by Goal 19 and Goal 20; both measures passed unanimously. Commissioners said the changes were intended to align the plan text with local policy work on housing and supportive services underway at the council and housing commission.

Other public concerns

Speakers also pressed for stronger tree-preservation language and better sidewalk and last-mile connections to transit. Planning staff noted the plan already addresses tree canopy and that sidewalk gap analyses exist in Public Works materials; staff committed to pursuing RTD materials and pedestrian-access studies referenced by commenters.

Outcome and next steps

All motions related to the plan’s edits and additions passed 6-0. The commission adopted the resolution approving Envision Lakewood 2040 and directed staff to update the final document with the edits approved at the hearing. The commission’s adoption sends the advisory plan to the City Council for its review; staff and commissioners reminded the public that formal comment opportunities continue at council.

The commission’s recorded roll-call votes on April 23 show unanimous support from the six members present on all actions to adopt the plan and the amendments. The commission’s adoption was procedural for an advisory plan; zoning and any regulatory changes reflecting the plan’s guidance will be considered separately when the draft zoning ordinance is later reviewed by the commission and council.

Ending

The commission’s action closes the Planning Commission stage of the comprehensive-plan process and forwards Envision Lakewood 2040, with the new language additions and glossary direction, to the City Council. Staff will publish a final draft incorporating the approved modifications and will post it to the city’s Lakewood Speaks site and the planning division’s pages.