The Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District asked the City of Lakewood to pause its significant zoning change proposal due to potential strain on district pipes.

GMWSD — who provides water and sewer service to around 48,000 people in west Lakewood — sent a letter to the city on Aug. 22 objecting the city’s recently adopted 2040 comprehensive plan, especially the sections including a plan for a new zoning code. Council members are currently reviewing the code for possible approval later this year.

The water and sanitation district is requesting mediation to resolve an array of potential issues that could lead to unexpected fees for residents, according to the letter.

The plan, which was unanimously approved by the city council on July 28, looks to add more affordable housing to the city.

The city proposed a significant new zoning code that will reconfigure the use of single-family zoning, allowing for multi-family homes to be built in those areas. A vote could come before the council elections in November. 

Changes to the zoning mostly fall in line with new state law requirements, like House Bill 24-1152, which requires Colorado cities to allow 500 to 750-square-foot accessory dwelling units wherever single-family homes are allowed.

In the letter, GMWSD raised concerns about the plan to add more homes to areas. The letter also cited the potential need for new water and sewer lines to support higher density, leading to higher costs for residents.

“Decades of water conservation efforts have led to a hardened system — there is very little room to eliminate watering one yard and repurpose that water for multiple toilets and showers instead,” GMWSD President Karen Morgan said in the letter. “Promoting increased housing is a key part of Lakewood’s vision for the future and is mentioned 229 times in the comprehensive plan. Collaboration and mediation are necessary to ensure adequate water and sewer infrastructure for this vision to be achieved.”

There are around a dozen other water districts in Lakewood, but GMWSD is the first to write a public letter to the city.

Morgan said that 84% of the comprehensive plan’s goals involve new housing and commercial spaces, and while these proposed changes will require adequate water and sewer infrastructure, none of the water districts have been contacted for input.

The letter asked for a written response to the objections and mediation timeline within 90 days.

“Given the nature of the request for meditation, we aren’t able to provide additional information,” city spokesperson Stacie Oulten told The Denver Gazette. 

The city council’s next public second reading of the zoning code proposal is scheduled for Sept. 8.