Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lakewood planning department advances downtown plan, zoning refresh and affordable housing projects
Summary
Planning Director Byington told council the downtown development plan is moving toward final site‑plan review (298 apartments, retail and parking), the city will fund a zoning code refresh (professional services capped at ~$200,000), and housing work includes a Lauther Center sale ($375,000) and a proposal for 45–55 affordable units using LIHTC.
Director of Planning and Development presented a wide‑ranging update to the Finance Committee on Dec. 9, covering capital projects, public‑art funding and affordable housing work tied to the city’s redevelopment strategy.
Byington and Assistant Director Boss said the downtown development package will come before the council for final plan, development agreement and a school compensation agreement; the current plan includes roughly 298 residential units and about 25,000 square feet of retail. The planning team also highlighted a zoning code refresh project that prompted a professional services increase in the department’s budget; the refresh is a contracted effort capped at about $200,000 to modernize standards and procedures.
On housing and community development, staff reported issuing approximately $425,000 in CDBG loans and grants to low‑income homeowners this year, completing storefront renovation grants that leveraged private investment, and advancing projects such as the Lauther Center sale to Neighborhood Pediatrics (sale price $375,000) and a pending purchase option with Barton Affordable Housing for a 0.46‑acre site that could yield 45–55 affordable units using low‑income housing tax credits.
Sustainability work was noted as well: the city onboards a climate action and sustainability coordinator and plans tree‑giveaways, a pilot organics collection and a draft balloon‑release ordinance. Council members sought detail on timelines for demolition and construction for downtown projects; staff said many developers aim to complete administrative plan reviews over winter and begin vertical construction in spring.
