Submitted by Walter Neary, Lakewood.
I’m reaching out for anyone who lives in the area of Gravelly Lake Drive as pictured in the map. I’m looking for you! Or if you know someone who lives in this area, please alert them. You might also want to read this if you are interested in the main Lakewood Library.
The City of Lakewood Planning Commission voted this month 5-2 to give developers financial incentives to build apartments and condos in the area in pink. They already get those tax breaks in the golden areas. The City Council has not made a decision. The city holds a public meeting next Monday night, April 1.
I’m trying to reach property owners, residents and perhaps even business owners along this corridor to ask:
- Did you get public notice of this change in our neighborhood? This to me is the number 1 question.
- Would you like any further information about the proposed change so that you can consider it and maybe comment to the city?
The first question is a big deal, because when many of us worked on the Lakewood cityhood campaign, we promised the city would notify property owners if something was going to affect them. I’d like to make sure that took place. We will always agree to disagree on things in Lakewood, but the whole premise of cityhood was that the city would notify people about issues affecting them, unlike Pierce County government.
If you know someone in the area, please let them know.
And just real quick, if you do want to know more, you can begin with the City Council packet for next Monday. Go to Page 104 (click here).
It’s a very complicated proposal and it can’t be described in a short post.
If you would like to know more, I am working on a fact sheet (click here), and welcome suggestions. It has links where you can watch the planning commission hearing, which consisted of two applicants in favor of the proposal, and apparently no one from the neighborhood.
That’s what makes me wonder what kind of notice we received.
Whoops, wrong link on my part. The link to the fact sheet with what’s known about this issue so far is https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ed4VxuSgm2Q6sPAAGf—YK-STdfwSMDIwIqlalCbS8/edit?usp=sharing
Walter, are you drafting a comment letter that we can sign on if interested?
Wendy, I am flattered that you ask. Unfortunately, my day job is busy in the second half of the week, but I am hoping to draft some potential bullet points by Friday that people might use in letter or opinion. When I do that, I’ll update the link to the fact sheet and of course, reply here since you were so kind to ask.
I actually think there are a couple of very different valid opinions one might hold about this topic, which I will try to reflect in the options. Just to vent a little bit, I hope you don’t mind, I’d love to be working on that rather than being the one who is notifying the neighborhoods. It intrigues me that University Place includes a map in their public notices, and we might suggest this to Lakewood as a good practice https://thesubtimes.com/2024/03/27/sanitary-sewer-service-expansion-project-moving-forward-with-recommendations/
I should add – when I refer to “different valid opinions,” I mean people may differ in how they approach this question. I’m critical of the city’s proposal, but there are several different ways to say why it is problematic. Some people may think apartments are fine, but question is the city should be giving developers a tax break. Some people might be against apartments on at least some of these lots. That kind of thing.
And you better believe I will offer opinions about the public notice. Imagine a world where the planning commission would have sent out a proper notice to the neighborhoods, and this all could be a cooperative discussion rather than a rush to prepare for Monday.
I will try to give options to people but I’m also excited to hear what others think about the situation.
One problem I have with the proposal is the assumption that lower income people want apartment living. Lakewood offers single family homes to people who could not afford that in Tacoma or Seattle. There are many homes in our neighborhood that may be a little run down but offer a yard, connection with neighbors and walkability without worry about speeding traffic. “LAKEWOOD”is aptly named.
One problem with the proposal is the assumption that lower income people want apartment living. Lakewood offers single family homes to people who could not afford that in Tacoma or Seattle. There are many homes in our neighborhood that may be a little run down but offer a yard, connection with nieghbors and walkability without worry about speeding traffic. “LAKEWOOD”is aptly named.
Thank you for your thoughts, Wendy. I would encourage to express that when you do write or speak. I realize this thread is now becoming very long, but here’s my thinking:
I have seen government agencies sometimes not sufficiently inform people as a reporter in three states, as a citizen, and a City Council person. It just happens. Notice to the public was actually a big part of my platform when I ran for Lakewood City Council in 2003.
Based on my experience, the council should not make a final decision based on this one hearing. A smart City Council will see that just because there is a public notification policy does not mean it is a sufficient public notification policy. And one thing that makes that clear is if they get a lot of very different comments about this proposal from people who were caught by surprise.
If you, as a council, see voters and other citizens expressing very different views about an issue without a proper briefing, it means more study is needed. The councils I was on would likely have sent this back to the planning commission for some real analysis and dialogue.
So I think it’s much less important for us to decide on what to say, than to say something – say we are concerned, have strong opinions and need more information and discussion.
I still want to draft some possible things for people to say, but it’s a great thing if anyone expresses any opinion at all to the council, anything from “I’m confused and want more information” to “I’m totally against this.”
To my knowledge, I did not receive a notice regarding this topic.
I will review the information that you submitted and if needs be, will make further comments.
Thank you.
We did not received a specific notice about this proposed expansion to the residential area. I did read about it in the paper. On Saturday, the Racquet Club Estates sent a letter to the city contact expressing the neighborhood’s concerns.
Walter Neary,
Thank you for looking out for my old Lakewood neighborhood. I lived in Lakewood for over half a century and hate to see this destructive change being proposed.
Having served in the rental business for over 40 years combined with my 25 years in law enforcement, I know this proposed “Ant Hill” change for more rentals will bring more traffic, more crime, more trash, and more trouble. It can destroy the Gravelly Lake Drive neighborhoods.
I forwarded your article to 19 of my Lakewood friends who are potential victims of this money-grabbing short-sighted proposal.
Joseph Boyle – Former Lakewood Resident 51 Years
Walter,
THANKS for calling attention to this proposal and related questions about due notice.
And thanks, too, for the revealing CBD map. Missing from this oddly rationalized depiction, essentially zoning the “downtown” heart of Lakewood, is an overlay of imagination that might eventually transform the city’s core toward a more coherent urban experience. Our vision to that end is failing attempt in favor of continuing property fragmentation, largely held by non-resident owners lacking responsive interest in a centering commitment to the public space required to achieve it. Thus forgone is opportunity for a pedestrian concourse setting that could include a new library, park ambiance and appealing commercial venues with a touch of class.
It is sadly ironic that deference to this untended and truncated vision will vault devotion to asphalt for parking over all else in the presence of mass transit potential to which one would think is the obvious nexus of rational urban progress.
We can do better, and as you point out, we should. Perhaps a start would be to redraw that map – imagining Lakewood as a city with a future.
A REMINDER:
Join Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen and members of the City of Lakewood Parks and Recreation team (TONIGHT, 6 p.m.) to hear about special event programming in Lakewood.
Mayor Whalen’s Community Coffeehouse is a chance for Lakewood residents to meet with the mayor in an informal setting, learn about city programs and discuss items of interest.
The Pavilion is located inside Fort Steilacoom Park at 9107 Angle Lane SW. Parking is available around the building and nearby. When you arrive come inside, pull up a seat and enjoy the presentation.
Thanks for the info Bob Athough I now live in assisted-living in Tacoma’s north end and am wheel-chair bound due to Parkinson’s I am still interested in what goes on in Lakewood and appreciate your keeping the neighbors informed
Great to see you commenting here, Andie. We’re trying to rally the neighborhood and get public feedback to the City Council. Our neighborhood did not get any notice of this expansion, aside from one developer who attended the planning commission meeting when the votes were cast. I’m hoping a lot of folks read this article and start commenting at the upcoming city council meetings. We’ve been in touch with Walter and are so thankful he started letting neighbors know.
Well said, Bob. We can do better for Lakewood, I hope people read this and compelled to take action.
A tax break for some is just a tax increase for the rest of us.
Thank you for this information that I knew nothing about, although I live close by. We moved to our area from the north end of Tacoma due to the increase in congestion and crime there. Disheartened to hear that our neighborhood may suffer the same ill advised fate, losing some of the pockets of old growth timber and green space.
It is indeed very sad that the City of Lakewood can just BULLDOZE their way throughout the neighborhoods, to whatever suits their agenda or motive at that time.
Its obvious, nobody will be allowed any prior notice to these actions , because thats how corrupt government organizations operate. Under the table, and quickly as possible. The sooner they get a firm foothold into their new destruction plan, the less time citizens will be allowed to take any action against them. .
They have really taken away the lure and ambiance that Lakewood used to have. Everything has morphed into “Making the Big Bucks”, and damn the citizens who founded this area.
Mixing the residential with commercial is really coloring outside the lines.
It isnt the way a democracy Is supposed to work, but more like communistic dictstorship.
I have property in Tacoma that I have held and maintained for decades.
Having received no notice of development for the high-density housing project right across the alley, I wasn’t concerned as I believed my property would not be negatively impacted.
After breaking ground, I received a code violation notice for the loading dock and entrance stairs leading into my 2nd floor in the alley.
The loading dock is historic to the building since 1918 and the stairs were permitted by the city in 1993 as a requirement for my occupancy permit.
I went back and forth with these people with threats and fines and face-to-face meetings.
Each time they capitulated because they were wrong.
Then they sued me, causing me many thousands of dollars in useless legal defense.
Long story short: they have agreed to graciously rip out my infrastructure (which they had previously permitted) and “allow” me to figure out how to function.
This is what happens when incompetence and corruption overtakes past integrity and leadership.
Knowing folks on Lakewood city council, I would hope we can do better than the clown show of taComa.
Wow. Brian, that’s a heck of a story. I’m sorry.
One thing the council mentioned Monday night is that there is a height limit for these
apartments/condos that would be adjacent to single-family homes. But there was no discussion about other transitional elements. So you surely are getting some people thinking here.
I did NOT receive a notice.
The city of Lakewood currently has me by the shorthairs as I own a duplex on Sacramento St, just a couple of blocks off of the Lake. Since I purchased it in 2006 I’ve imagined it to be my retirement home. No stairs and a FLAT, manageable yard. I’m not QUITE there yet, getting close.
The gorgeous duplex was built in 1960. Now I’m told that the drain supply under the kitchen sink is too high. If I can’t find a way to remove the accordion plumbing line to accommodate the DEEP stainless steel sink AND DISHWASHER drain, features that were not taken into consideration in 1960, I will need to rip out the cabinets, countertop, etc to reconfigure the plumbing in the wall, WITH A PERMIT, otherwise my long term tenant will need to vacate as I will lose my ‘occupancy permit’ due to this issue. I realize that accordion/flex plumbing is not ideal but several attempts to deal with the issue near 20 years ago, when the unit was remodeled, this appeared to be the only solution, I’m honestly surprised it worked at all, the amazing thing is that it’s functioned PERFECTLY since 2006. Now it threatens affordable private residential housing as well as my financial viability.
I had NO DOUBTS that someone with a clipboard and a badge would come in and task me with something that I couldn’t afford to do. How hard could it be? NOTHING built in 1960 meets current code. I wonder how many of your homes would pass such scrutiny? I know my own home would not. I voiced my complaints, objected strongly, attended meetings when they proposed the rental housing inspection program with their grotesque slide show of the most unimaginable rental housing situations. YOU CAN’T FIGHT THEM. You won’t win. You’ll lose your sole trying.
COULD BE TIME TO SELL.
I was given 10 days to come into compliance. I’m well past that. $175 for REINSPECTION. I have a vacancy already to deal with and my current tenant calls and tells me he’s cause a significant amount of damage backing into the driveway. SOOOO! It seems there truly is no END/bottom to my todo list… 10 days???? ya! Right!
Thank you, Walter, for helping share information and raise awareness about the legislative proposal before the Lakewood City Council for consideration and action at its next meeting.
People can subscribe to the City of Lakewood email address to stay informed about what matters like this. All Public Notices are emailed to subscribers. They are also shared to the city’s website at this address, if people want to look at them on their own time and not clutter their inbox: https://cityoflakewood.us/category/rfp-rfq-bids/
This specific legislative item before the City Council was shared as a public notice on the city’s website March 19 and was sent to email subscribers shortly after.
The City Council agenda is also emailed out every week to subscribers, along with the City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin, which includes a summary of the past City Council meeting and a look ahead to what the City Council will review at its next meeting.
Those who want to know more about what is coming before the Lakewood Planning Commission can visit the City of Lakewood website to find the agendas before each meeting. The commission meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at Lakewood City Hall. The website is: https://cityoflakewood.us/planning-commission/.
If you aren’t already signed up to receive emails from Lakewood, you can visit this site to sign yourself up: https://cityoflakewood.us/email-notifications/
Thank you!
Brynn Grimley
Communications Manager
City of Lakewood
Thanks, Brynn, for the comprehensive review. Back when I was on the city council, one thing we used to do was mail postcards to people when they were in an area affected by a change. There’s no question you folks are taking a lot of steps, but that’s something to consider.
One thing you all might consider doing is including maps in public notices, because then people know at a glance if something is relevant. Here’s an example of what that looks like: https://thesubtimes.com/2024/03/27/sanitary-sewer-service-expansion-project-moving-forward-with-recommendations/
I think what we all got out of this is that someone needs to go through planning commission agendas and post the maps so the public can see them easily. I’m happy to do that, just copy maps from the agenda and post them to the Sub Times and Facebook groups – though it’s something for the city to consider as well.
And one additional thought for all of us – if there’s disagreement between city government and, as far as I can tell, ALL the citizens about whether there was public notice – is any one party clearly in the right or wrong?
Food for thought. Thanks for giving folks those resources.
And I was wrong. Judging from the planning commission meeting, the person who wants to build multifamily housing did know about the hearing. So that’s one person.
Come to University Place and see what this kind of development is doing to us. Check out the so-called apartments on 19th & Mildred and also along 40th & Bridgeport Way. We lived in one of these apartments – cheaply built and expensive – and could hardly wait to get out of there. The renters only sleep there and don’t participate in the neighborhood or local businesses. Great traffic congestion with more traffic lights which sends traffic through neighborhoods.
Two great points M Bostic. Thanks for pointing them out for our neighbors.
1. The renters only sleep there and don’t participate in the neighborhood or local businesses.
2. Great traffic congestion with more traffic lights which sends traffic through neighborhoods.
I don’t own property in the highlighted area but do in surrounding areas that will be affected by unfettered density growth. “Expanding the tax base” is what it’s often called. Wringing out the greatest real estate tax revenue via the “greatest and best use” of a property from the perspective of government not the property owner or communities’ best interest.
Remember that new development and all existing commercial development is NOT subject to the 1% cap in real estate taxation so the skies the limit. I just had the real estate tax for a commercial property I own in Lakewood jump 62% (over $6000) in a single year with no explanation: it certainly wasn’t a reflection of rental income.
It’s sort of like a pride of lions looking at a herd of wildebeests and trying to figure out how to “expand the protein base”. No one likes being put in that position.
LakewoodCARES.org
Why is Lakewood trying to be like University Place???
I submitted my comment letter today. If anyone wants a copy please email me at attyzicht@earthlink.net and I will send to you.
Is there any urban planning involved in expansion decisions? Other than providing tax dollars for the city Is long term planning part of the discussion for this community? If housing is needed why not take into consideration where mass transit is located or quick freeway access? Is it also important to consider the adverse effects of apartment buildings when you map out the locations of the natural springs, creeks and lakes. The additional run off from the increased motor traffic will have a negative impact on wildlife and waterways.
When old growth trees or shrubs are removed as a result of development, double the number should be required to replace them…..and plastic grocery bags need to be ellimated. Wake up Lakewood!