Lakewood Planning Commission Regular Meeting – May 1, 2025

The Planning Commission met on May 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM to consider several docket items, including conditional use permits, a lot consolidation, a planned development modification, and a lot split. All items were approved with conditions, except one conditional use which was tabled for further parking analysis. The meeting began with the unanimous approval of the April 3, 2025 meeting minutes.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the April 3, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Docket 04‑13‑25 (Doc Lanky’s outdoor dining): No public comment.
• Docket 05‑17‑25 (15431 Edgewater Dr lot consolidation): Milian Leonard, a neighbor at 1056 Cliffdale Ave, expressed concerns about rear yard setback calculations and noted that trees shown in photographs had been cut down.
• Docket 05‑18‑25 (St. James Hall conditional use): Jean Spackman, a resident of Northwood Ave opposite the parking lot, strongly opposed the request. She stated that the lot did not have 67 spaces as claimed, that parking on Northwood was already terrible due to a new spa and construction, and that adding a 200‑person venue would make residential parking impossible. She also raised traffic concerns.
• Docket 05‑19‑25 (Marlowe Park townhouses): Stephanie Kluke, a Marlowe Ave resident, expressed cautious support for keeping the neighborhood‑facing design unchanged but raised concerns about construction timing, material quality, and maintaining the setbacks she and neighbors had previously fought for.
• Docket 05‑20‑25 (Shady Cove townhouses): No public comment.

Discussion Items

Old Business – Conditional Use: Doc Lanky’s, 15607 Madison Ave Mitchell Eyerman requested a conditional use permit for seasonal outdoor sidewalk dining with 15 seats. Staff highlighted ADA requirements (5‑ft clear pedestrian path), alcohol service regulations, and a concern about a tree box with uneven pavers. After discussion, the commission recommended removing the proposed fencing and placing tables against the building to improve sidewalk flow. The item was approved with a condition requiring a revised plan showing that arrangement.

New Business – Lot Consolidation: 15431 Edgewater Dr Mark Reinhold requested consolidation of two lots to enable a home addition. Staff confirmed no variances were needed, and a petition of support from five adjacent neighbors was received. Public comment raised a setback question, which staff said had been resolved. The commission approved the consolidation with a condition that the city engineer review and approve the consolidation plat.

New Business – Conditional Use: St. James Hall, 17415 Northwood Ave Joe Mateka sought a conditional use permit to use his space (Walk Your Plans) as a banquet hall for up to 200 people. Staff noted that parking requirements for public assembly uses would increase to 44 spaces plus employee spaces, and that a comprehensive parking analysis for the entire St. James campus was needed. The applicant described a shared calendar with the church and said events would mostly be evenings. Public comment highlighted severe parking conflicts. The commission tabled the item, requiring a detailed study of all businesses’ hours and parking demands, plus a conflict‑resolution plan.

New Business – Planned Development Modification: Marlowe Park Townhouses, Marlowe Ave at Madison Nicholas Christoff presented minor modifications to a previously approved 16‑townhome PD. The main change splits a four‑unit building facing Madison into two duplexes to improve the streetscape. The Marlowe‑facing units were unchanged. Staff noted the need to update the plat, clarify a cross‑access easement to Lincoln Ave, and complete safety services and ABR review. The commission approved with four conditions: updated plat, resolution of the cross‑access easement, safety forces review, and completion of ABR review.

New Business – Lot Split: Shady Cove Townhouses, 12534 Lake Ave Gregory Soltis presented a revised plan for 10 townhouses (reduced from a previous plan), with above‑ground stormwater retention and reoriented units. Staff noted this was a lot split under subdivision regulations. Discussion focused on ensuring legal access to the rear units via a recorded easement. The commission approved with a condition that a recordable easement document guaranteeing access to lots 1–10 accompany the plat.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of April 3, 2025: Approved unanimously.
• Conditional Use (Doc Lanky’s): Approved unanimously (motion and second) with condition to submit a revised plan showing tables against the building and removing fencing.
• Lot Consolidation (Edgewater Dr): Approved unanimously (motion and second) with condition of city engineer review of the plat.
• Conditional Use (St. James Hall): Tabled unanimously (motion and second) pending submission of a comprehensive parking study and conflict‑resolution plan.
• Planned Development Modification (Marlowe Park): Approved unanimously (motion and second) with four conditions: updated plat, confirmation of cross‑access easement, safety forces review, and ABR review.
• Lot Split (Shady Cove): Approved unanimously (motion and second) with condition that a recorded easement document provide legal access to all townhouse lots.