Lakewood, Littleton take different paths as they face housing crunch

Two suburban cities south and west of Denver are taking different approaches to address the ongoing issue of high home prices and borrowing costs that prevent young families and renters from purchasing a home.

In Lakewood, city leaders have spent the summer revamping the zoning code and land use rules to promote the construction of diverse housing types and increased density, with the goal of reducing overall home prices in the city of 156,000.

On the other hand, in Littleton, a citizen-initiated measure set for the Nov. 4 ballot aims to restrict a large portion of the city to single-family homes only, a sharp reversal from previous goals of promoting density.

Both cities are part of a broader debate on density in the metro Denver area, which has been a major topic of discussion at all levels of government.

Littleton City Councilwoman Andrea Peters, also a real estate agent, highlights the need for “missing middle” housing in the city to accommodate younger families and downsizing older residents. This type of housing includes duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes designed to provide more living space per square foot without the density of large apartment buildings.

Mark Harris, a resident of Littleton, is part of a group that opposes increased density in the city. Their ballot measure aims to preserve single-family zoning in most neighborhoods.

While state legislation has been passed to address housing affordability, some Front Range municipalities have sued the state over zoning changes that they claim infringe on their local land-use authority.

Emotions run high on both sides of the debate, with residents expressing concerns about the changing character of their neighborhoods and the impact on infrastructure.

In Lakewood, the city council has approved updates to the zoning code to allow for diverse housing options, limit home sizes, and encourage the conversion of commercial buildings into housing. The final vote on the new zoning map is set for October 13.

Lakewood Mayor Wendi Strom acknowledges that not everyone will be pleased with the changes, but emphasizes the need for more housing options to meet the growing demand in the city.

According to the Lakewood Strategic Housing Plan, the city will need thousands of new homes in the coming years to keep up with demand.

Meanwhile, in Littleton, concerns over gentrification and affordability have led to a ballot measure that would restrict the city from introducing more housing types in single-family neighborhoods.

Despite differing opinions on how to address the housing crisis, the debate at the local level reflects the broader challenges facing communities across Colorado.

Overall, the issue of housing affordability remains a complex and contentious issue that requires thoughtful consideration and collaboration at all levels of government.