Lakewood mayor right to oppose initiative that would limit growth

“Lakewood voters should reject anti-growth measure,” Aug. 8 guest commentary.

Bravo to Mayor Adam Paul of Lakewood! As a Lakewood resident, the issues surrounding growth in our community have, I feel, become so polarized that no matter how much one tries to bring nuance and reason to the conversation, a person is accused of either being “in the pocket of developers” or being “100 percent anti-growth.” Thankfully, our mayor is neither.

Mayor Paul is right in strongly opposing the proposed 1 percent growth limitation initiative. If passed, it would dramatically harm our community a number of ways, making it financially impossible for all but the wealthiest to afford to live in our community. It would also send a terrible messages to small business owners that their efforts would be wiser spent almost anywhere instead of Lakewood.

A thoughtful conversation about growth is what we need, not a crude “one size fits all” measure that would stop progress in its tracks. ●●● Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul’s piece criticizing the anti-growth ordinance in Lakewood was 100 percent true.

A complicated, 4,800-word ordinance will have unintended consequences in the extreme. Only power brokers with lawyers and lobbyists will be able to win permits from the city.

I’m sure the supporters had good motives, but something this long and this confusing that gives so much new power to politicians simply can’t be good.

I’m with the mayor. No way to no growth in Lakewood.