Residents of Jefferson County voiced significant concerns during a recent government meeting regarding the proposed Williams Point development, which is set to merge two parcels of land near the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Youngfield Street. The meeting highlighted jurisdictional disputes between Jefferson County and the City of Lakewood, with residents arguing that the county should oversee the merger process rather than the city.

A local resident representing Jefferson County emphasized that land use decisions in Colorado are primarily the responsibility of counties, particularly when it comes to mergers of previously subdivided land. The resident criticized Lakewood's approach, claiming it was misclassifying the merger as a subdivision, which lacks the necessary standards and application processes for such actions.

Safety concerns dominated the discussion, particularly regarding the proposed access points for the development. Toni Riggio, another resident, detailed the hazardous conditions at the intersection where three roads converge, noting that the development could increase traffic by over 300 vehicles per day. Riggio highlighted the dangers posed by the steep grades and blind curves in the area, citing past accidents and the challenges faced by emergency vehicles and snow plows during winter months.

Jana Helm, a resident living directly behind the proposed development, echoed these concerns, stating that many residents from unincorporated Jefferson County had not been adequately notified about the merger. Helm pointed out that the proposed access point on Youngfield Street contradicts previous city mandates to use Colfax Avenue for ingress and egress, raising further questions about the planning process.

The meeting concluded with residents urging Jefferson County officials to take a more active role in overseeing the development, emphasizing the need for thorough consideration of safety, traffic patterns, and community impact before any decisions are made.