Lakewood council approves 20‑year development agreement for The Bend after hours of debate and amendments

The Lakewood City Council on Dec. 8 adopted a development agreement that vests The Bend, a roughly 59‑acre mixed‑use project near the Federal Center, for 20 years and sets a framework for up to about 2,000 residential units and roughly 100,000 square feet of commercial development.

The council’s vote came after more than three hours of staff and developer presentations, dozens of public comments both in favor and raising concerns, and multiple amendments the council added to the agreement. The ordinance passed on second and final reading by an 11‑0 vote after the council adopted amendments requiring affordability and other commitments.

Why it matters: The project is the city’s largest remaining undeveloped parcel and the agreement locks in zoning, affordable‑housing commitments, parkland dedication and a timeline for public improvements. Supporters said the development will add hundreds of deed‑restricted affordable units and create new public space and transit connections; critics warned that remediation, transparency and the mix of housing and commercial uses required clearer, enforceable language.

Details in the agreement and amendments - Affordable housing: Staff and the developer said the agreement requires at least 10% of residential units to be deed‑restricted affordable. During the meeting, Councilor Lowe moved an amendment that the 10% commitment must be met or exceeded in each phase and include a minimum 30‑year deed restriction; councilors adopted the amendment unanimously. As staff explained, the rental units will…