One of the most important areas of concern for Lakewood residents is housing options and development in the city. At the city council's Sept. 12 meeting, Deputy City Manager Nanette Neelan presented a resolution to the council to hire Economic and Planning Systems, Inc., to do a study that would help the city understand its current housing market and policies, and to get a sense of what the future could hold.
"We need places for people to live, but we also need to recognize there are challenges in terms of how do we maintain the fabric of existing neighborhoods, how do we deal with traffic, and how do we make this work for Lakewood," said Ward 3 Councilmember Shakti. "This study gives us the data we need to make decisions on something that is critical right now."
The study will focus on three components: identify the existing housing stock in the city by ward, identify the needs for the wide range of housing options for Lakewood's future and identify a range of specific strategies to achieve council's vision. The $85,000 study is paid for through the economic development fund, and would get underway in October and run through March.
Council debated the resolution, particularly the cost and if the recommendations in the study would lead to legislative action.
"This morphed into something that I had no idea was going to grow to this level. My concern is down the road, having this, we'll justify high density in certain areas and justify housing in certain places and areas without adjacent neighborhood support. Any projects must enhance what we've already got, and not take away from property values and quality of life of people who already live here," Ward 1 Councilmember Ramey Johnson said.
At the end of council discussion, the the vote was 8-3 to proceed, with Johnson, Ward 3 Councilmember Pete Roybal and Ward 4 Councilmember Dave Wiechman against.
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Lakewood-council-approves-funding-for-housing-study,235375
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