Staff: three items likely dropped from Lakewood’s 2025 comprehensive plan amendment docket

Planning staff updated the commission on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket and told commissioners that three items are likely to be removed from the package when the city council acts (anticipated Nov. 18): the two proposed subarea plans and a proposed sales-and-use tax deferral program to incentivize converting vacant commercial property to housing.

Staff said the council discussed the items in a study session and concluded the subarea issues are anticipated to be addressed under existing comprehensive-plan policies or would require additional environmental and planned-action analyses and funding that the city is unwilling to commit at this time. The sales-and-use tax deferral concept was discussed as a potential tool to spur redevelopment, but council members expressed a desire to preserve commercial capacity for future private redevelopment when market conditions allow.

"I anticipate that on the eighteenth when they take their action those 3 will not move forward," staff said. Commissioners had no further questions about the docket update.

Staff said the city will continue to consider other subarea or planning tools (including an International District subarea or a Springbrook subarea) at a future date when funding and analysis resources can be identified.