Lakewood planning commission unanimously finds Bend at Lakewood urban renewal plan consistent with comprehensive plan

The Lakewood Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that City Council find the Bend at Lakewood Urban Renewal Area in compliance with the city—s adopted comprehensive plan.

Commissioners approved staff—s draft resolution on a 7-0 roll call after a presentation by consultant Ann Ricker and representatives of the property owner and prospective developer. The staff recommendation said the urban renewal proposal meets the criteria in the comprehensive plan and the commission moved to forward that finding to council.

"This is really almost more like a financing document," said Ann Ricker, principal and owner of Ricker Cunningham, describing an urban renewal plan—s role in addressing financial obstacles that can prevent redevelopment. Ricker told commissioners the plan ties specific goals in Lakewood—s existing comprehensive plan and subarea policies to the proposed redevelopment and cites the urban renewal statute—s twin objectives: "mitigate or eliminate conditions of blight as defined by the statute" and "advance the goals and vision of a…