Lakewood council adopts overhaul of engineering development regulations

The Lakewood City Council adopted Ordinance 846 on March 2, approving amendments to the city's engineering development regulations and the Engineering Standards Manual that staff said had been vetted in a public hearing and a study session.

Angie Silva, assistant director of planning and public works, told the council the ordinance consolidates proposed amendments to Lakewood Municipal Code Titles 12 and 13 and chapter 18A.20 and that staff had reviewed the changes in detail at a prior study session. "I do not have a formal presentation tonight, mayor, about the contents of the amendments," Silva said, "I think we covered that in much detail at the study session, but I'm happy if there's many questions."

Council member Talbot urged the council to revisit one specific procedural issue before wider implementation: the section that allows use of vacation processes on public street ends and shoreline rights-of-way. Talbot said the text appears to permit vacation as a tool to clean up encroachments and recommended a separate discussion, possibly at a council retreat, about preferring permitting over vacations so public access is not unintentionally removed. "I think that we need additional discussion about that particular topic," Talbot said, and asked staff to schedule a follow-up conversation.

Council member Pearson commended staff and described the packet as "robust," saying the rewrite would provide clarity and usability for both staff and the public. After council comments, Mayor Bokey called a voice vote; the ordinance was adopted.

The ordinance follows an earlier public hearing and study session. Council members said they expect additional, focused discussion on right-of-way vacations, permitting options and public access protections as implementation proceeds. No numeric roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript; the ordinance passed by voice vote.