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Lakewood council agrees to staff study after heated public debate over charter amendment
Summary
After extensive public comment and council debate over a citizen-led charter amendment requiring earlier notice and, in some cases, a supermajority for large rezonings, Lakewood City Council voted 11–0 to direct staff to research transparency and engagement practices and report back at a near-term study session.
A crowd of residents urged Lakewood City Council on July 13 to place a citizen-drafted charter amendment on the November ballot that would require earlier notice, greater public engagement and, for wide-scale zoning changes, a two-thirds council vote. After lengthy public comment and council debate, the council did not immediately refer the amendment but unanimously directed staff to research best practices on notice and public engagement and return with recommendations.
The Lakewood Citizens Alliance’s Karen Gourde, speaking during pooled public comment, told the council the amendment "establishes common sense expectations" for notice and engagement and asked the city to "let the voters decide." Several other speakers echoed the call for referral, arguing that residents had been blindsided during prior zoning changes and deserved more opportunities to participate.
Supporters said the amendment does not prevent growth but would ensure residents are informed and have multiple chances to weigh in. "This amendment places those principles into our city charter so they can continue long after any of us are no longer involved," Gourde said.
Opponents on council and some residents cautioned against placing detailed procedural language in the charter. Council members repeatedly said many provisions in the draft belong in ordinance rather than the city constitution and warned that narrowly written charter language could create unintended restrictions. Councilor Lowe warned that supermajority thresholds can transfer power to a minority and urged caution about entrenching operational specifics into the charter.
After discussion, Councilor Kaye Cruz moved to "direct staff to research what other cities are doing well on transparency, community notice, and engaging in zoning, including reviewing advisory committees and bringing that back to us at a near study session." The motion passed 11–0.
Mayor Strom and several council members said they supported pursuing improved engagement, but differed on whether the charter is the right place for the specific language. Councilors who opposed immediate referral said they remain open to crafting policy changes or ordinance-level measures that could achieve many of the amendment’s aims while preserving council flexibility.
Next steps: staff will be directed to research approaches used by peer cities and present options for how Lakewood might improve notice and participation in land-use decisions; the council did not adopt the charter amendment at this meeting.
