A formal objection has been filed against a proposed initiative aimed at curtailing construction growth in Lakewood.

Lakewood resident Steve Dorman says proponents would need to amend the city charter to accomplish limiting growth until a strategic plan can be developed.

“I am calling on the proponents of this poorly crafted ballot measure to withdraw their petition and work with the city to manage growth responsibly,” Dorman said.

The “objection and protest” filed with the Lakewood city clerk claims that petitions used to place the initiative on the ballot did not contain an “adequate description” of the proposed initiative.

It goes on to state that binding future city councils would be unconstitutional, and that the proposal would violate an owner’s vested rights in property.

Prior to the formal complaint filed on Monday, Dorman sent a letter to City Clerk Margy Greer asking the clerk’s office to hold off on validating petition signatures until a hearing could be held to determine the legality of the initiative.

The city clerk has certified the signatures, and the proposal now goes to the city council, which can either adopt it, or refer the issue to the November ballot. Council is most likely to send the issue to voters.

The Lakewood Strategic Growth Initiative would place a 1 percent annual limit on residential growth. The proposal would also establish a permit system, requiring city council approval for all projects of 40 units or more while lifting permit requirements for redevelopment of existing units in “blighted or distressed areas.”

Proponents say the effort is simply aimed at strategic development in a “responsible, reasonable and rational way.”

The group behind the initiative would like to assure the preservation of Lakewood’s “unique environment and high quality of life.”

Other goals include maintaining property values, encouraging preservation of larger open spaces, avoiding an increase in crime and urban decay, and encouraging redevelopment, to name a few objectives.

But critics of the initiative, Lakewood United for Responsible Growth, is asking council and the mayor to fully disclose on the ballot the 14 pages and nearly 5,000 words that make up the Strategic Growth Initiative.

Voters were presented with a one-sentence summary when they were handed petitions. If the issue makes the ballot, Lakewood resident Cassie Tanner and others would like to see the full language presented to voters.

“The anti-growth initiative is a 14-page, 4,800 word train wreck of unintended consequences for Lakewood,” said Tanner, a Lakewood resident who worked as Mayor Adam Paul’s campaign manager two years ago and serves as treasurer of the West Metro Fire Protection District.

“It will make an already unaffordable housing market even more expensive for working families. It will drive assessed valuations and property taxes for seniors through the roof. It will cripple police and fire budgets, and make it all but impossible for working class police and firefighters to live in the community they protect. If you don’t have a lawyer or a lobbyist, don’t even think about trying to get a building permit if this thing passes.

“Lakewood United will lift the voice of Lakewood residents – police officers, firefighters, teachers, current and former mayors, and neighborhood activists – urging our community to reject this reckless proposal. Our goal is to educate every voter about the 4,800 words of fine print, bad policy and unintended consequences that rests just below the slick talking points of the anti-growth ordinance.”