Lakewood Council lifts injunction and approves three ordinances to advance Action Center property deals

The Lakewood City Council on Nov. 3 unanimously approved three ordinances to move forward with property purchases, a lease and the sale of a former elementary school tied to the Action Center, after a Jefferson County court earlier that day removed a temporary injunction that had briefly barred action.

Mayor Strom convened the special meeting at 6:02 p.m., saying multiple lawsuits had been filed by a former council member, Anita Springsteen, challenging the city's notice practices and its executive-session procedures. "A lawsuit was filed… by a former city council member, Anita Springsteen," the mayor said, and the mayor noted the court had removed the preliminary injunction earlier in the day, allowing the council to resume votes on the ordinances.

Why it matters: The three ordinances — authorizing a purchase of two West 14th Avenue parcels for permanent supportive housing, approving a lease agreement between the city and the Action Center for those parcels, and approving the sale of the former Emery Elementary School for use as a community service facility with deed restrictions — together advance a cluster of actions intended to expand services for residents in Lakewood.

Clerk Mr. Robb recapped actions taken at the Oct. 27 meeting before the injunction: for ordinance 20 25-33 the mayor pro tem moved to authorize purchase of real property at 8745 and 8755 West 14th Avenue "for municipal purposes to facilitate permanent supportive housing," and Council member Isabel Cruz made an amendment to add "and other affordable housing" to a recital. The council voted on that amendment and, with no further discussion, approved the ordinance as amended, 11-0. "That passes 11 yeses and 0 nos," Mr. Robb announced after the votes.

On ordinance 20 25-34, Mr. Robb said the motion would authorize execution of a lease for 8745 and 8755 West 14th Avenue "by and between the City of Lakewood, Colorado and the Action Center." There were no amendments; the council approved the ordinance 11-0.

The council then addressed ordinance 20 25-35, which authorizes sale of the property at 1275 South Teller Street to operate as a community service facility with a deed restriction. Mr. Robb recapped two proposed amendments: one by Councilor Ken Cruz to remove certain words from section 3, and another by Councilor Lowe to add a recital and require Jefferson County School District R-1 to record a restrictive covenant and deed restriction to limit permitted uses and ensure benefit to district families. Both amendments passed 11-0, and the ordinance itself passed 11-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Shari Zakhi told colleagues she was "excited" to cast a yes vote and praised the Action Center as a partner in repurposing publicly funded school property. "I just wanted to share how excited I am… and so while there were some hurdles to get here, I'm really excited to cast my vote yes for this tonight," she said.

Votes at a glance: ordinance 20 25-33 (purchase of 8745 & 8755 W.14th Ave. for permanent supportive/affordable housing) — amendment to add "and other affordable housing" approved; ordinance passed 11-0. ordinance 20 25-34 (lease between City of Lakewood and the Action Center for 8745 & 8755 W.14th Ave.) — passed 11-0. ordinance 20 25-35 (sale of 1275 South Teller Street/Emery Elementary School to operate as community service facility with deed restriction and covenant involving Jefferson County School District R-1) — amendments approved; ordinance passed 11-0.

Next steps and context: With the court's removal of the temporary injunction earlier in the day, the council resolved previously tabled amendments and adopted each ordinance during this special meeting. The mayor noted the matter was discussed in the prior regular meeting (the discussion begins around minute 50 of that meeting, he said) and invited members of the public to watch that earlier session for background. The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.; a study session on inclusionary zoning was scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Reporting note: This account is based on the council's verbal recaps and votes as read into the record during the Nov. 3 special meeting; the court action referenced (removal of the preliminary injunction) was described by the mayor on the record during the meeting.