Lakewood Planning Commission Meeting – September 3, 2026
Lakewood Planning Commission Meeting – September 3, 2026
The Lakewood Planning Commission met on September 3, 2026, to consider a parking plan modification for 1384 Heard Avenue and to receive public input on the Delaware Avenue active transportation plan as part of a water main project. The commission approved the parking plan extension with conditions and received and filed the Delaware Avenue presentation.
Public Comments & Testimony
Delaware Avenue Active Transportation Plan (Item 092626):
- Dan Zelinski (2197 Northland Ave): Questioned why raised crosswalks recommended in the Active Transportation Plan were not included; asked for city's guidance on raised crosswalks.
- Maggie McKinney (2156 Carabel Ave): Expressed excitement for bike boulevard; supported crosswalk at Olive; asked about bike lane design in front of Hayes Elementary, particularly how students on bikes would access the school.
- Emily Lindbergh (1651 Lauderdale Ave): Also questioned lack of raised crosswalks; advocated for a crosswalk at Northland; suggested a bi-directional protected bikeway along the school side and questioned necessity of parking on the south side.
- Jim Andrews (Clifton Blvd): Raised concern about transition between shared lane and dedicated bike lane segments; questioned legality of crossing at non-signalized intersections.
- Bill Zimmerman (2264 Woodward Ave): Opposed bike lanes during school drop-off/pickup due to safety; asked where curb extensions exist in Lakewood; questioned what problem is being solved; noted speed bumps on Woodward cause drainage issues.
- Carrie Sommerman (2264 Woodward Ave): Cautioned against over-engineering; raised concerns about drainage, safety forces access, curb extensions bringing children closer to traffic; suggested keeping it simple.
- Karen Schwartz (2249 Eldred Ave): Opposed bike lanes due to dooring risk during school pickup; described solution in search of a problem.
- Cody George (2195 Wine Dot): Supported buffer zone between bike lane and parking; advocated for raised crosswalks; suggested painted crosswalk in school zone; noted infrastructure over paint.
- Steve Bozia (16615 Delaware Ave): Asked about project timeline (water main replacement in 2028); noted speeding after school zone; supported speed tables at elementary schools; raised drainage issues.
Discussion Items
1. Parking Plan Review – 1384 Heard Avenue (Item 092526) The applicant, Mark Casper and Diarius Houston on behalf of the new owner, requested an extension of the parking radius from 500 feet to 1,000 feet to secure additional off-site parking spaces for the Field House (restaurant, bar, event space). The original 2021 parking plan required 113 owner-controlled spaces within 500 feet. The applicant had secured 43 spaces at Martindale Electric and 40 spaces at Northwest School of the Arts (within 1,000 feet). City staff recommended approval with conditions: return to commission in six months if use changes, apply for separate outdoor dining permit, submit final parking agreements, and develop a plan for communicating parking locations and promoting transit/ride-share. The commission discussed operating hours, parking restrictions, and communication plans. A motion to approve with those conditions passed unanimously (Commissioner Gall excused).
2. Delaware Avenue Active Transportation Plan (Item 092626) City Engineer Mark Papke presented a concept plan for a bike boulevard on Delaware Avenue from Glenbury to Carabel, coinciding with a 2028 water main replacement. The plan included shareows (shared lane markings) or a buffered bike lane in the wider section near Hayes Elementary, curb extensions at Woodward and Olive, a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at Olive, and high-visibility crosswalks at Carabel. Public comments raised concerns about raised crosswalks, bike lane transitions, school drop-off conflicts, drainage, and parking loss. Commission members discussed preferences for Option B (buffered bike lane), safety, and the need for further study. No vote was taken; the commission received and filed the communication.
Key Outcomes
- Parking Plan (1384 Heard Ave): Approved with conditions:
- Return to Planning Commission in six months (March 4, 2027) to update on use and parking; if unchanged, a letter suffices.
- Apply for separate outdoor conditional use permit for patio dining.
- Submit finalized parking agreements for spaces within 1,000 feet.
- Develop an internal plan for external communication and signage to direct patrons to approved parking areas; promote ride-share and public transit.
- Delaware Avenue Project: Received and filed. City staff will incorporate public and commission feedback into the design, with the next stage presentation expected in approximately one year.
Meeting Transcript
All right, uh good stormy evening. Uh I'd like to call to order the Lakewood City Planning Commission meeting for Thursday, September 3rd. Uh could Miss Natchez, could you please uh from roll call, please? Hannah Gall. Nicholas LePoint Present. Nicholas Miller. Present. Kyle Reyes. William Sanderson. Here. All right. First item on the agenda is the meeting minutes for Thursday, August 6th. Mr. Chair. Yes. Yeah. I would like to uh first make a motion uh to excuse the absence of Commissioner Gall. Second. All right, there's a first and second. I'll signify by saying in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Uh no opposed. Uh motion carries. All right. Now I can move into uh review the second item on the agenda for the evening. Uh approval, review and approval of the meeting minutes from the Thursday, August 6th meeting. Commissioners, I'm assuming uh I know Commissioner Reese, you are not present at the past meeting, so you'll be abstaining for the approval. Um but uh um any comments if not I'll uh uh accept the motion for approval. Motion to approve the minutes. All right, there's a first on the floor and a second. Uh all those in favor in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. And one abstention. All right, motion carries. Now we'll turn it back over to Ms. Nasha for the opening remarks. Good evening and welcome to the Lakewood Planning Commission meeting. The commission is comprised of five members charged with evaluating proposals as required by Lakewood zoning code and community vision. The charter of the city establish the authority of the commission and its members are volunteer Lakewood residents appointed to five-year terms by the mayor or city council. Tonight the commission shall hear from each applicant on their respective docket item. The commission may also take public comment for each docket item, and public comment shall only address that specific docket item being considered. To allow adequate time for all present, public comment is limited to five minutes per person. Um you can also submit statements in writing to the secretary to have them included. Uh for both applicants and members of the public making comments. When you are called to the podium, we ask that you please sign the oath sheet and then state your name and address into the microphone for the record prior to addressing the commission. All right, thank you, Miss Natchez. Um we'll go ahead now and then move into the agenda for this evening. Uh there is no old business on the agenda, so we're gonna step right into the new business. Uh the first item is a parking plan for review.
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