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Lakewood Council adopts tighter rules for metropolitan districts after amendments
Summary
City Council on Jan. 13 adopted an ordinance creating Chapter 14.29 of the municipal code to regulate metropolitan (metro) districts, adding disclosure, notice and review requirements beyond state statute. Council passed the measure 9-0 after several technical amendments requiring site-plan alignment and candidate disclosures for district boards.
Lakewood City Council voted 9-0 on Jan. 13 to adopt an ordinance creating code 14.29 to regulate metropolitan districts in the city.
The ordinance, O-2024-33, adds requirements beyond state statute including enhanced public notice, potential outside financial review, and conditions tying district debt authorization to city approval of a site plan in substantial compliance with the district service plan. Councilor Kelsey Ryan led multiple technical amendments during the meeting to clarify process steps, require that a district's debt issuance align with a city-approved site plan, and require that candidates for metro-district boards disclose relationships or pecuniary interests with developers under oath with filings made public.
The measure was the subject of a public hearing and extended council debate. Legal staff advised the council that state statute still permits applicants to seek metro-district formation, but the new city code would impose additional local requirements and transparency measures beyond the statutory minimum. Council members said the ordinance is intended to increase transparency for residents and protect existing taxpayers from unanticipated long-term obligations.
Council discussion addressed whether the city could ban metro districts outright; legal staff said the city cannot prohibit their formation under state law but can set additional local conditions for approval. Councilors asked about the mechanics for posting annual district reports and whether the city's web pages could host those reports; staff said the city can require posting on the city site in addition to the district website. Councilor Ryan's amendments were approved during the meeting and folded into the final ordinance.
The final vote to adopt O-2024-33 as amended was 9 yes, 0 no. The ordinance will be codified as Chapter 14.29 of the Lakewood Municipal Code. The council directed staff to implement procedures for administration and to prepare intergovernmental agreements where appropriate.
The ordinance drew public comment at the hearing from residents who expressed concerns about metro districts' oversight and tax impacts. Several council members acknowledged the ordinance is not perfect but said it represents years of work and is a step toward greater oversight and public information for future districts.
