A Sustainable Built and Natural Environment
The City of Lakewood has set ambitious Science-Based Targets (SBTs) to achieve a 60.7% reduction in community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Interpolating these SBTs to 2040 results in an interim target of reducing emissions by 80.4% from 2018 levels. Lakewood’s 2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory shows that the built environment is the largest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for (42% of local emissions from building energy use alone).
The built environment also impacts stormwater drainage, flood management, air and water quality, and the success of natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Some interventions to reduce the impact on the environment are already standard practice, such as increasing urban tree canopy with landscaping standards and forestry practices (Lakewood’s urban tree canopy coverage was 18% in 2021, an increase of 2% since 2011. To further reduce GHG emissions and support healthy functioning ecosystems, Lakewood needs to incorporate more sustainable and low impact development practices, transition to cleaner sources of energy, conserve water, reduce and divert waste from landfills, and protect, enhance, and increase natural spaces.
Goal 16 Strategies: A Sustainable Built and Natural Environment
This goal is intended to better integrate human development into the site and surroundings by mitigating harmful environmental impacts and providing positive community benefits. Primary strategies include using regulatory tools to encourage sustainable materials and practices, as well as providing accessible programming that educates community members about the impact of buildings on the environment. Supporting strategies emphasize tools and resources for improving sustainability in the existing built environment and creating more resilient systems and infrastructure.
Primary Strategies
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Maintain an up-to-date online resource center to provide information, resources, and services to residents, businesses, and other stakeholders related to energy and water conservation, renewable energy systems, beneficial electrification, waste diversion and climate adaptation strategies.
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Promote building longevity through use of high-quality durable materials, multifunctional and flexible design, adaptive reuse and retrofitting programs, sustainable design, and deconstructability.
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Enhance the urban tree canopy by planting trees along trails, sidewalks, parks, and waterways in priority heat risk areas and targeted areas identified through regular canopy assessments; developing an urban forestry plan; and engaging the public through educational materials, discounted tree sales, and tree planting events.
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Implement a comprehensive building program that increases energy efficiency and renewable energy and storage, eliminates emissions, and makes buildings more resilient by incorporating performance standards, code updates, customized tools, resources and incentives, workforce development, financing mechanisms, and community education.
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Regularly review and adopt updated building and energy codes to protect life and safety, support Lakewood’s housing, climate, and economic development strategies, and to accelerate progress towards greenhouse gas reduction targets through sustainable design, resource efficiency, decarbonization, and climate resiliency of buildings.
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Regularly assess and update Lakewood’s Zoning Code, engineering standards, and other related land-use policies to ensure that development projects account for climate risks, advance the City’s climate commitments and reflect the community’s adopted vision.
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Develop and implement a municipal operations greenhouse gas emissions inventory and decarbonization plan in alignment with the City’s greenhouse gas reduction targets to prioritize actions that eliminate climate and health impacts from city buildings, fleet, and operations.
Supporting Strategies
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Develop and maintain green and gray infrastructure that supports public health and safety, reduces risk of hazards, integrates into pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and supports a healthy natural environment through implementation of nature- based solutions that promote climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Assess and identify opportunities to mitigate existing hazards and enhance climate resilience of infrastructure, city assets, and communities.
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Protect lives, prevent property and environmental damage, and stabilize the economy during large-scale emergencies and disasters. Collaborate with internal departments and external organizations to proactively plan for hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, emergency response, and recovery efforts in order to increase community resilience.
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Building on existing efforts, develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for proactively addressing environmental justice across all relevant City operations. As a baseline, this strategy should be informed by the regular collection and monitoring of necessary data—both quantitative and qualitative.
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Reduce water consumption in alignment with regional water goals by ensuring that city codes support water efficient development and by providing resources, technical support, and incentive programs that encourage Lakewood residents and businesses to implement indoor and outdoor water efficiency and conservation measures.
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Consider the update of existing and use of new regulatory tools that can protect historic resources and character, while also providing enough flexibility to accommodate appropriate growth and change. The use of such tools should also consider and mitigate affordability and economic impacts of preservation objectives. Examples may include conservation districts, zoning overlays, design guidelines, tax credits, waivers or other incentives for adaptive reuse and preservation, rezoning guidelines, facade improvement programs, or other support programs.
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Integrate natural spaces, tree-lined streets and green infrastructure into site and corridor planning and recreational spaces to improve air quality, support biodiversity, create connected pedestrian greenways and enhance the safety and aesthetics of the corridor
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Continue to implement the Bicycle Plan and any future updates to the Plan, with a core goal of increasing bicycle network connectivity and increasing the comfort of existing bicycle facilities.
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Prioritize closing gaps in the network grid and first/last mile connections, including construction of missing sidewalk and trail links throughout the city, such as those identified in the Belmar/downtown Lakewood Connectivity Study, and north-south crossings of the 6th Avenue freeway, in order to improve overall connectivity, and provide more/greater variety of route options. Prioritize investing in additional separated bike lanes as proposed in the Bicycle Plan.
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Identify and prioritize opportunities to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including approaches for regular maintenance such as snow removal and sweeping.