Lakewood council tables overhaul of parkland-dedication rules after hours-long public debate

Lakewood City Council on Monday extensively revised and then tabled a proposed ordinance that would repeal and replace Chapter 14.16 of the Lakewood Municipal Code on park and open-space dedication. The council voted 9-0 to send the item back for a third reading on Feb. 24 after nearly four hours of public comment and council discussion.

The proposal under consideration would change when and how developers must dedicate land or pay fees in lieu for parkland, and would add clearer options for "improvements in lieu" such as plazas, trail segments and other public amenities. Council members and staff also inserted new language during the meeting to allow dedications or improvements that improve pedestrian connectivity to parks.

The debate grew from a citizen-led ordinance that the council had adopted into law late last year and that has since halted many projects. City staff told the council that, as of the afternoon of Feb. 10, 102 residential projects were on hold because of uncertainty about the…