Lakewood Special Election
Vote Yes on Ballot Issue 1
Lakewood residents are being asked whether or not to approve a land exchange in Rooney Valley, which is undeveloped land east of C-470 between Alameda Parkway and Morrison Road. The City Council previously approved the exchange during a public hearing at the July 24 City Council meeting. The exchange trades 21.8 acres of City-owned land designated for park use for 21.8 acres of land owned by a private developer. If the exchange is approved, the City-owned land will be rezoned and become private land owned by the developer. At the same time, the private land from the developer will become parkland owned by the City.
Citizens filed a petition protesting the City ordinance that approved the land exchange implementing the Rooney Valley Master Plan. The City Council then had two options. One was to vote to cancel the ordinance, nullifying the land exchange and years of planning. The other option was to approve the ordinance again, prompting the special election. The City Council voted 11-0 to approve the ordinance again and to call the special election.
The JCAR Board of Directors urges members to vote “yes” to uphold the land exchange. In 1998 after years of work and public open houses, Lakewood and the City of Morrison adopted the Rooney Valley Mater Plan. This award-winning plan calls for the creation of a wildlife corridor connecting William F. Hayden Park with Bear Creek Lake Park. Voting “yes” on Ballot Issue 1 implements the master plan.
To protect and promote the quality of life in our communities (and hence property values) it is imperative there be thoughtful land use planning. It is unwise to replace this process with planning and zoning by ballot initiative. JCAR believes it is important to uphold the Rooney Valley Master Plan and the planning and zoning process in Lakewood. The Rooney Valley Master Plan was the result of a thoughtful process involving all the stakeholders in the community. The master plan was previously upheld in a city-wide vote in 1996 and should be upheld again.
The election will be by mail ballot. The ballots will be mailed to registered Lakewood voters between Dec. 8 and 18. Ballots must be returned to the City by 7 p.m. on Jan. 2. A drop-box for ballots will be at the City Clerk’s Office, 480 S. Allison Parkway.