NILBY
Not in Lakewood's backyard
Yesterday Lakewood voters strongly supported their single family zoning approach., as reported by Denverite and the Denver Post.
The vote was nearly 2-1 in favor of restoring their older, more restrictive zoning. This means that less new housing will be built in Lakewood, going forward.
Lakewood is not a small, sleepy suburb. It is Colorado’s 5th largest city by population, with more than 150,000 people. It is actually more densely populated already than the second, third and fourth largest Colorado cities - Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins.
Housing affordability is one of the most important issues in Colorado. In recent years progressives have tried to push a more YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) approach to finding support for more housing, which means more density.
And, a significant state versus local fissure has developed, as state legislation and policies look to expand density, both to create more affordable housing and serve related goals like more transit accessibility and use. Local opinions vary. Colorado is still a “local control” state in many ways, so it is hard for the state to aggressively push for or mandate YIMBY policies and outcomes.
A lot of energy has emerged on the YIMBY side in recent years. This includes a new YIGBY (Yes in God’s Backyard) bill that makes it easier for nonprofits, schools and churches to build housing on their land.
But, the Lakewood vote reminds that the NIMBY perspective remains powerful. Many citizens like single family zoned neighborhoods, and likely fear potential changes they perceive from greater density.
This political fight will continue statewide, as Colorado seeks to create more housing units and more affordable housing options.
On the plus side, we will have better information and better trained officials on housing issues. DU has launched a new Housing Center, and new housing certificate programs have been started at MSU and CU Denver.