HomeMy WebLinkAbout20031116.tiff Weld County Fla inq Gr,,a:
GREELEY OFFICE
MAR 1 2 2003
From: "judyfranco" <francojudy@hotmail.com>
To: <dlong@co.weld.co.us> r
Date: 3/10/03 4:08PM 9
Subject: Lifebridge Church request w
Dear Commissioner,
We just wanted to tell you that as reisidents of Meadow Vale Farm we do not
object to the zoning changes for the land directly to the west of us. We
feel that Lifebridge Church will make a good neighbor and that they have
made every effort to take the requests of the homeowners into consideration
when making plans for their church community.
Thank you,
Ron and Judy Franco
Protect your PC -get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
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inEXHIBIT
/4/O
2003-1116
Wcid County Ha
CREEL EY
MAR 1 2 2033
MARISA L . BURT
March 11,2003
PO Box 758
Greeley,CO 80632
Dear Commissioner Wad,
I am writing to you to express our concerns regarding the proposed plane of Idfebtidge Christian Church
(LBCC), My husband end I are homeowners at Meadow Vale Farms in Longmont. McAdoo/vale Farms, the
Elms and Longview is curreudy a wonderful community, that h threatened by this proposed development
between our neighborhoods. I treasure our beautiful views,and peaceful quiet when outdoors. These are both
threatened by the LBCC POD and would he sadly missed. The noise from the outdoor amphitheatre will
surely disrupt the peace and quietness of out neighborhood. The light pollution from the parking lot will
surely light up the skies so we can't see the state,which is also such a special feature of our neighborhood.I
currently enjoy looking at the many,many stars,unspoiled by city night lights.The high buildings will block out
beloved view of Long Peak and Mount Meeket
The LBCC PUD consists of buildings that may be up to 150 feet high.We don't want structures so close
that are so thsshtilles from ours. I certainly don't think that a plan such as this was intentioned when they
thought In the future they would rezone this land se!addenda It is not good tot out community.
We are worded about the greatly Increased traffic through out area that the proposed plan would surely
aerie, The increased traffic would definitely threaten out currently safe, quiet community. I have seen the
Lifebtidgs Community in Longmont.It is huge and the proposed development is much larger. It needs to be
built in an area where these are similar structures and where the traffic will not adversely affect so many
residents. I believe these is land for wile at their current site. Perhaps they can expand them A multiuse huge
complex such as this belongs among other commercial sites.
Previous proposals from LBCC have been rejected by both Longmont,and Boulder County.We must reject
it here as well to preserve our wonderful community.
sincen—yrAa,“;0. 6 /5(.1"---7---
Maria L.Burt and Mark E.Flood
EXHIBIT
2141 MEADOWLARK PL • LONOMONT CO • 50504 1 /4//
akONx: 701.776-6298
720-217.5117
2'd STS '013 S3X0S 1It1W WdST:60 50. TT dUW
"':i� County Planning Department
C'?rFLFY OFFICE
MAR 1 2 2003
From: "W.B. Sullivan" <wbsullivan@earthlink.net>
To: <gvaad@co.weld.co.us>, <dlong@co.weld.co.us>, <mgeile@co.weld.co.us>, ry Th
<wjerke@co.weld.co.>, <rmasden@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 3/11/03 12:01 PM
To the Weld County Board of Commissioners,
Dear Sirs,
I am writing in reference to the Proposed zoning changes, proposed by
Life Bridge Church. This is not a church that this request involves. I
suggest that it is a small township that will place excessive strain on
the already stretched resources of the local communities. It is
proposed to involve a stadium (prayer garden), parking well in excess of
the Twin Peaks Mall and that of Invesco Field. The traffic that the
current roads would have to assume is well beyond the capacity that they
were designed for. LBC is requesting heights for their structures that
are not in keeping with the present construction of the area, and that
would greatly impact the values of the current properties, by limiting
the views that we poor unsuspecting fools felt would be protected by the
current zoning rules. The light pollution created by such a major
development would exponentially surpase that of any housing community,
that could be build in the area. The high density use of the land is
also well beyond current zoning. I respectfully suggest that LBC
purchase land in a commercially zoned area, closer to major
roads/highways that will be able to absorb the traffic, light and noise
involved with such a development. Would you allow this development to
take place at the end of your street? That should be the bottom line.
Sincerely,
M.J. Sullivan
sullimy@earthlink.net
EXHIBIT
� rya
Weld County Playing Department
: REELEY OFFICE
To the Weld County Board of Commissioners MAR 1 2 2003
G. Vaad ' ! 3 r. 1 CFC, L
D. Long C
M.J. Geile P i P ..;^
W. Jerke
R. Masden
Dear Sirs,
I am writing in reference to the proposed rezoning of land adjacent to Meadowvale and
Longview Communities. I am strongly in opposition to rezoning of this area to
accommodate the construction of the proposed Life Bridge Mega Development.
1. This would not be in keeping with the present communities already in existence.
2. Life Bridge would exceed the height restrictions already in existence in the
residential and commercial zones in existence.
3. The light and noise pollution caused by the LBC, would be overwhelming.
4. The present infrastructure would be unable to cope with the stress imposed by the
heavy use by LBC.
5. The massive parking facility is not in keeping with the insitu communities.
6. I see little existence of COMPLETE environmental studies, traffic, water, wildlife
etc.
7. LBC being a nonprofit organization would do little to bring sufficient revenue
into the community to support the cost of the roads, police, medical and other
infrastructure required to support them.
The more I see of the proposals of the LBC, the more I am convinced that they are
creating their own small township, without having to cover the costs involved. The
amount of money, the present residents have invested in this area should be a major
consideration, of the Board Members.
LBC has already a track record of being incapable of maintaining good faith, in keeping
with its present site. The possibility of their selling portions of the land thy now own
after rezoning, also has the potential of major negative impact on the present housing
communities. These could become anything!
Bottom line, Would you allow this to be built at the end of your street?
Sincerel ,
M.J. S an
11753 enter Dr
Longmont, Co
80504
Weld County Pla:;,1ing Department
GREELEY OFFICE
MAR 1 2 2003
From: McKie Randy<Mckie_Randy@stvrain.k12.co.us> , r
To: "gvadd@co.weld.co.us"' <gvadd@co.weld.co.us>, "dlong@co.weld.co.ur
<dlong@co.weld.co.us>, "'mgeile@co.weld.co.us"'<mgeile@co.weld.co.us>, "'wjerke@co.weld.co.us"'
<wjerke@co.weld.co.us>, "'rmasden@co.weld.co.us"' <rmasden@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 3/11/03 8:25PM
11683 Montgomery Circle
Longmont, CO. 80504
March 11, 2003
Dear Ma'am or Sir,
Subject: Longmont Citizens for Sensible Development
As a new resident to both Colorado and the Elms at Meadowvale I feel it
necessary to voice my concerns with reference to the anticipated over
development of the land being considered in Weld County by the Lifebridge
Church just west of our addition. I feel that my property rights as a
homeowner and tax payer are being violated in many ways if the Weld County
Commissioners accept the current plan for rezoning as presented by
Lifebridge Church.
While I am in favor of having a Church as a neighbor, I am very much against
the plan in its current form. As you can observe for yourself on any given
Sunday morning while traveling east or west on Highway 66 the traffic
produced by the Lifebridge Congregation is enormous in an area that is not
considered residential.
es-
The plan as it has been drafted currently boasts a 6000 car parking lot, an
amphitheater with a seating capacity of 15,000 with architectural elements
up to 200 feet high, several ball fields, and as many as 56,000 projected
car trips per day. This is in no way just a simple church. This would be
equivalent to building Disney World in my back yard and presents many
serious questions regarding the safety of our neighborhood, not to mention
the loss of a beautiful landscape that our homeowners in our association
paid dearly for.This plan simply does not fit into the existing areas that
surround it. The major thoroughfare for the this entity would have two
entrances, one off county road 3 1/2, and one through the center of the
Elems at Meadowvale addition which is off of county road 5 1/2. This is
neither safe nor practical.
My final objection centers around my rights as a tax payer. I pay taxes and
vote to have individuals represent my interests. In this current situation
Weld County is negligent in not being able to provide me this opportunity as
Glenn Vaad, Weld County Commissioner, Chair for District 2 is recusing
himself of this matter as he is an elder of the Lifebridge congregation.
While this relieves him of his responsibility, it leaves me and my fellow
neighbors without a representative. It seems to me we fought a war with the
British over a matter such as this several hundred years ago, "Taxation
Without Representation."
In closing, I ask that you consider the information presented in my letter
before making such a decision and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is the plan for the development considered excessive with
regard to current and or anticipated zoning codes for the area?
2. If after rezoning the property, can Lifebridge sell or lease
OQT
portions of the property to be used for commercial uses that were not
planned for in the current plan?
3. If this plan were that of an entity that was not associated
with a church,would it make a difference in your decision?
4. Will this plan if accepted interrupt or cause traffic flow
that could be considered excessive or cause major safety concerns with
regard to servicing the area with law enforcement and or fire services?
If your answer to any of the above questions is "Yes" it should be your duty
to ensure that the rezoning of this property and or any further steps toward
ground breaking be halted until a more acceptable plan is presented.
Sincerely,
Randall P. McKie
Home Owner
Elms at Meadowvale
CC: McKie Randy<Mckie_Randy@stvrain.k12.co.us>
WuId County Hi , ,.ice C'C�afii it J.li
GREELEY P FICE
From: <RJetley@aol.com> MAR 1 2 2003
To: <dlong@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 3/11/03 9:30PM r" ' 7,
Subject: Proposed LifeBridge Development
To: David Long
Dear Sir:
As residents of the Elms at Meadowvale subdivision,we have a grave concern
for the new land development project that threatens our community, namely,
the proposed LifeBridge Church complex. We're not opposed to having a church
in our neighborhood, however we do feel that the size of this particular
organization and the immense planned complex carries consequences that will
negatively impact the lives of every person in the area.
This complex will be situated in the middle of two residential areas and
threatens to overrun these neighborhoods with enormous amounts of traffic.
We moved into this area because of its rural feeling. We have grandchildren
that visit every weekend and with the increase in traffic activity that this
mega-church will produce, we will no longer feel it's safe to let the
children enjoy the outside, i.e., riding bikes, walking to the playground,
etc.
The Weld County Master Plan calls for the area to be used as residential.
The required study performed by the Department of Transportation indicated
that, at maximum build-out, the complex could produce up to 56,000 car trips
per day. That is the same amount of traffic that travels between Highway 7
and Highway 34 on Interstate 25 on a daily basis. How is that residential,
or for that matter even close? When we bought our homes, we believed that
the land to the west of us would be used as residential. They consider a
church a reasonable addition to a residential area; however,what LifeBridge
is building can hardly be considered a church!
The land that LifeBridge proposes to build on was stated to be residential in
the Multi-Use Development District plan. The loophole is that residential
zoning allows churches. However, a 1,500 seat amphitheater, a 6,000 seat
auditorium, a college, an outreach center, a youth center and more is simply
not what the regulations had in mind. This mega-church is not the church the
zoning regulations spoke to. In addition, visual pollution from excessively
tall structures and light pollution at nighttime do not fall within the
spirit of these regulations.
The planners have now removed the requirement for Pearl Howlett to be opened
up into the proposed development. However, what safeguards are in place to
permanently keep it closed? In the future, if Pearl Howlett is ever opened
up into the development, it will cause traffic to wind through our
neighborhoods. This traffic would be traveling next to a planned playground,
creating a hazard for children. The plan to keep Pearl Howlett closed needs
to be put in place permanently so it never can be changed in the future. We
have a deeply personal interest in this issue, as we live on the corner of
Pearl Howlett and Pleasant Hill Road, across from the planned playground.
The southern area of the development will be sold off to independent
developers to help LifeBridge pay for their buildings. This means we will EXHIBIT
I �y
have no input on density, heights, and use once the land is re-zoned. This
project includes housing that will surround the church campus. The church is
a nonprofit organization. However, a separate financial church entity would
be established so LifeBridge could sell and rent homes for a profit.
As you know, our County Commissioner, Glenn Vaad is a LifeBridge elder. He
has recused himself from the rezoning vote; however, he ran for office at the
same time that LifeBridge was attempting to buy the land. Has he already
influenced you and the other commissioners? Worse yet, this leaves us
without direct representation in this matter.
Now to matters which affect Weld County as a whole. Development of this
mega-church will create an increased need for services, such as police and
emergency fire and medical personnel, as well as infrastructures such as
water, electrical, and waste water services. Who will pay for these
increased needs? Weld County taxpayers. We find this particularly abhorrent
as the people who will benefit from this, the LifeBridge members, are
primarily Boulder County residents. Indeed, as you may know, LifeBridge
tried to implement their plan in Boulder County and failed.
The City of Longmont has long been opposed to this development, and they have
conveyed their concerns to Weld County. Unfortunately, this development
falls outside of the intergovernmental agreement between Weld County and
Longmont. Longmont is very concerned about the entrance into the city being
snarled in traffic and the views of Longs Peak impeded by huge skyscraper
architecture.
We hope that you will not act too quickly in making a decision that would
have such a major negative impact to our area. As Weld County taxpayers, we
sincerely hope that you will give our concerns serious thought and care.
One final note; the majority of LifeBridge members are Boulder County
residents. They will not be able to vote for you in the next election in
"thanks"for your support of them should you vote this through. However, we
guarantee you, as Weld County residents,we and our fellow neighbors would
certainly NOT support any re-election effort on your part.
Richard and Susan Jetley
11729 Pleasant Hill Road
Longmont, CO 80504
(720)494-0360
Weld County r r.,.:i; it„ it
GREELEY OFFICE
From: David Duvall <dduvall@taadind.com> MAR 1 2 2003
To: "'dlong@co.weld.co.us'" <dlong@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 3/12/03 9:57AM
Subject: Lifebridge Christian Church Mega Development
Dear Mr. Long,
My name is David Duvall and I reside at 11706 Montgomery Circle in The Elms
at Meadowvale in East Longmont. My home phone is 303.678.7577. I'm the
Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for a group of manufacturing
companies and have a number of employees who report to me.
I have written you a couple of letters as well as two emails expressing my
deep concerns with Lifebridge Christian Church's mega-development plans in
my neighborhood's back yard.
Before purchasing my retirement home in The Elms just 2 years ago, I asked
Weld County how the land to the West of me would be developed. I was
referred to the County's MUDD map which showed the land to be zoned
residential and low-density residential. This clearly communicated Weld
County's plans to ensure the land would be developed consistent with the
area I was buying into. As I have previously expressed, I have NO problems
with a community church as a neighbor as long as that community church is
developed compatibly with the existing neighboring land uses (heights,
noise, traffic, lighting, etc)as Weld County ordinances require.
Horrifically, there is nothing consistent nor compatible with any part of
Lifebridge's proposal.
What would your level of support be to me as an individual if I wanted to
build a new two-story home in an area that was restricted to one-story
building heights? And why should you offer any support to Lifebridge and
their current request when the County had me and others rely on official
County documentation as I looked to their guidance in making my investment
decision? A decision where I have personally invested almost$500,000 into
my new retirement home and the three affected sub-divisions collectively
have invested roughly$100,000,000.
While my professional background has me deal with significant and stressful
situations on a daily basis, this current situation has been making me sick
to the point that I have literally been throwing up. The only parties that
can be harmed going forward are the existing homeowners in the three
neighborhoods. LBCC can easily sell the land, make a profit in the process,
and pursue an endless offering of other sites in Weld County that would
better meet their needs and cause far less to zero negative impact on
existing home owners.
It seems to me that there is a clear and easy choice for you to do the right
thing --deny LBCC's rezoning request. There is no reason to do harm to
anyone!
Sincerely,
David Duvall
EXHIBIT
03/12/2003 10:13 FAX 1001
Mr. and Mrs.Robert Schnepp
11723 Beasley Road
Longmont,CO 80504
Mr.David Long
County Commissioner
P.O.Box 758
Greeley,CO 80632
We are currently residents of the Elms at Meadowvale subdivision east of Longmont.
When we moved to Colorado four years ago we spent fifteen months searching for a
neighborhood that met with certain criteria: open and spacious,a good view of the
mountains,and a country setting with little traffic. This neighborhood was the perfect
answer to all our needs. The view of Mt.Meeker and Longs Peak was one of the most
beautiful along the Front Range,and lots with views came with a premium. It was quiet,
with little traffic,and it was so refreshing to actually see neighborhood children outside
playing. A strange car cruising the neighborhood would definitely be noticed. Now,
after two and a half years,we,the homeowners,are seeing these qualities that we
purchased our homes for,possibly being destroyed.
It is our understanding that the Weld County Master Plan calls for the area west of
Meadowvale to be used as a residential area,to which a church would be a reasonable
addition. However, Lifebridge Christian Church is proposing more than our idea of a
place of worship. This Mega-development plan would include:
6,000 seat outdoor amphitheater
2,500 seat assembly hall
6,000 seat auditorium
- recreation center
community college
youth center
senior living center
medical facilities
performing arts center
athletic facilities
parking lot the size of Twin Peaks Mall
Somehow we have failed to see how any of the above-mentioned proposals fit the
description of a conventional church.
These auditoriums are to be used for productions and concerts that will create noise,air
and light pollution,not to mention extensive traffic congestion for those of us who live
here.It has been proposed that buildings will be 60 to 120 feet tall,with a 200-foot
architectural feature which will impede one of the most beautiful views along the From
Range. This is not compatible with the homes in this area.
EXHIBIT
I i
03/12/2003 10:14 FAX 1002
It has also been projected up to 28,000 cars per day would be using these roads. Not only
would there be congestion in and out of Highway 119 and along CR 3 %/2,but it would
create an extremely dangerous atmosphere for the residents,especially the children in the
area. Pearl Howlett would be one of the main entrances into and out of this proposed
mega-plaza,which passes directly in front of our proposed community park and our mail
area. Since we belong to a Home Owners Association,our dues pay for the lighting,
snow removal,etc. If this includes Pearl Howlett,the homeowners then will have to foot
the bill for this right away,and be inconvienced as well. We have passed Lifebridge on
Sundays along Highway 66 in Longmont,when church has been released. They require
police traffic enforcement at this time. With all that is proposed in this area it would
seem they would need similar policing almost daily. Since Lifebridge is supposedly a
non-profit organisation,there will be no tax base to support additional policing of this
area,and crime will be of the utmost importance and concern to all residents.
Normally,every one of the proposed activities and buildings being planned are usually
considered as profit making ventures. Therefore, we find this inconsistent with the
residential zoning codes. Unfortunately,we,the homeowners will be the ones who will
bc paying the price in loss of property values and restrictive life styles within our own
neighborhood. It will also impact the entire stretch of highway between I-25 and the city
of Longmont.
We believe that the County Commissioners should take into greater consideration those
residents that have purchased houses and spent time and money trying to make a
desirable neighborhood to call"home"and the underlying purpose of Lifebridges'
proposed mega-complex. I sincerely hope that the members of Lifebridge will
contemplate the impact of their decisions on the surrounding area,and not take the
attitude"as long as it is not in my backyard."
Sincerely,
�atdi 'ei ,°
Bob and Vicki Schnepp
"Then they said, 'Come,let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.'
The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men had built. Then the Lord
said: 'If now,while they are one people,all speaking the same language,they have
started to do this,nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do."
Genesis 11:4-6
Corey& Amy Johnson
11693 Montgomery Circle 2 - `` ? J ���, r,
Longmont, CO 80504
EtC.
Weld County Board of Commissioners
`L)
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
March 3, 2003
To Our Board of Commissioners:
We are writing to you regarding the proposed Lifebridge Community Church
development. As a native of Longmont, health care professionals in town, and neighbors
to the area in question, we are extremely concerned about this proposal. We are
committed Christians and devoted members of our local church. However, we are
absolutely shocked and dismayed at the proposed Lifebridge Community Church
development. The developers are applying for a change of zone March 18, 2003 in order
to accomplish this monstrosity, and it must NOT be approved.
We purchased our home almost two years ago with the understanding that the land
behind our community was zoned for residential building. We have split rail fences with
open views of the beautiful front range. Our children can safely play in the streets
without hoards of traffic racing through. We can hear the birds chirping and wind in the
trees when our windows are open. Please try to imagine the dismay we feel every time
we look at Lifebridge's plans, which include every sort of warehouse, retail, and
condensed urbanization plan we can imagine. The proposed development completely
destroys the quality of life that we have established here.
One of the major issues we have is the pollution this megaplex will bring in many forms.
The foremost type of pollution is visual- concrete and pavement, and buildings so tall
they will obscure the mountains, not only from our homes, but from the entrance to
Longmont on Highway 119. Second is the noise pollution. I am astounded that there is a
proposed open amphitheater to seat 6,000 people in the middle of 3 residential areas. I
had at first imagined the sound of church bells in my backyard when I heard of this
development, but now am dreading roaring crowds, loud music and blaring lights not
only on Sunday mornings, but on any night of the week. This quiet corner of Weld
county is no place to establish the largest church campus on the front range.
A third issue is the inevitable road and traffic pollution. 50,000 car trips per day
(according to the traffic study) would significantly cause overflow on all surrounding
areas and neighborhoods, whether neighborhoods are connected or not. A retired police
officer predicts from his experience over many years that the increase in vandalism and
crime in general would occur in surrounding neighborhoods if roads are connected. The
EXHIBIT
/y7
Weld County police report clearly states that there is not enough protective coverage as it
is now.
The fourth issue is light pollution. Driving by the already existing Lifebridge church
parking lot is almost blinding and quite obnoxious-the lights are pointed outwards and
cause significant light overflow to their residential neighbors, obliterating the night sky
and their views of the front range. Bruce Grinnell, Lifebridge's development planner, has
acknowledged their outrageous lighting to us and yet has not made a change- this shows
they just don't care about their neighbors. The proposed roads will direct headlights
straight into our west-facing windows, including our bedroom, kitchen and family room.
The Lifebridge plans have even placed a parking lot right in our backyard.
Another concern we share is that we are not represented. As you know, Glen Vaad has
recused himself from this issue because of his membership in the Lifebridge Church.
While this action is certainly expected, it leaves us without OUR representative, and,
while I know you will make every effort to understand issues in this area, you are not as
involved in the Longmont/Weld county area as our representative should be.
The entrance to Longmont is a very special one. There are very few places in the world
where great plains meet 14,000 foot peaks, and having literally traveled around the world,
I now appreciate my home town more than ever. It is imperative that you preserve this
unique environment by reducing the number and size of buildings and paved prairies,
which completely obliterate the ambient beauty of this area. Our neighborhood has put a
lot of attention into the landscape, the spaciousness, and rural feel within this area. Please
stop the urbanization that has been proposed by denying the change of zone.
I urge you to place yourself in our shoes. Our quality of life, our safety, and the sanctity
of our home in this rural area are in jeopardy. We are not foolish enough to think that
this area wouldn't be developed, but it absolutely can NOT be developed in this manner.
Please deny the change of zone, so we can start over with more reasonable development.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
r;
AV-K.AZo-iv
Co?ey Johnson
Amy Johnson
r
I„
From: Mike <mwhisman@infi.net>
To: <Rmasden@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 3/8/03 10:13AM ^ I ; f::I
Subject: LifeBridge Development Proposal
Dear Rob: F "
As you know from our work interactions, I live in the Elms at Meadowvale
Subdivision. My husband, Mike, and I moved there as the 11th homebuyer
when Ryland was just beginning its development. The country feel was
part of the area*s attraction for us.
We attended one of LifeBridge*s open houses last week, and I want to
commend them for holding the open houses and seeking public comment on
their proposal. Mike and I were pleased to see LifeBridge had already
made several changes to their proposal to address neighbors*concerns.
If you approve the development, we urge you to do so under these
conditions:
1. LifeBridge traffic should not connect to Pearl Howlett Drive. A home
site was originally platted to be at the west end of the Pearl Howlett
subdivision. We believe a home site is appropriate and that a traffic
connection is not. We are pleased that LifeBridge has dropped this
connection from their proposal. As you know, I am interested in trail
connections for the Elms neighborhood, so we would approve of a trail
connection at the west end of Pearl Howlett, but nothing more.
2. LifeBridge lighting should be designed to minimize the impact on
homes. We moved from northwest Longmont to this area to get away from
bright stadium lighting on a nearby ball field. We thoroughly enjoy
stargazing at night and would like to continue to have that
opportunity. We realize that LifeBridge*s development will add some
light to the nighttime, and we are pleased that the church*s current
lighting plans seem to address this issue.
3. We approve of the increased setbacks around the edges of the
property. LifeBridge has backed development away from the edges of the
property, and we appreciate that. We believe this increases the
aesthetic appeal of their plans and may help protect the viewsheds from
our neighborhood.
4. We approve of the decreased size of the amphitheater. Community
events at LifeBridge could make for wonderful outreach in this area.
Decreasing the seating capacity of the amphitheater increases the chance
that neighbors may react positively to LifeBridge*s outreach efforts,
because they will not be adversely impacted by the events.
Please be sure that the current and future development proposals for
this or future phases of the LifeBridge property contain the foregoing
elements, which are important to us as neighbors. Since development
will ultimately happen on this property,we prefer the church*s plans
for developing the site to other possibilities we can imagine. Even so,
we appreciate your efforts and those of your fellow commissioners and
staff to ensure this development minimizes the impact to its neighbors.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
r
Janis Whisman
Mike Whisman
P.S. If you could have your traffic staff repaint the lines on County
Roads 5.5 and 24 to add bicycle lanes or more width to the driving
lanes, except where left turn lanes are needed,we would greatly
appreciate it. We believe it would increase safety for bicyclists.
Thanks.
CC: <Gvaad@co.weld.co.us>, <Dlong@co.weld.co.us>, <Mgeile@co.weld.co.us>,
<Wjerke@co.weld.co.us>, <Toddhodgesdesign@earthlink.net>, <info@lbcc.org>
r
March 5, 2003
f2 „ r.
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To: Weld County Commissioners
Dear Commissioners,
The reason for my letter is the unveiling of a proposed development by the LifeBridge Christian
Church. I need not recite the particulars as you have the plans to review.
I am a Colorado native, born and raised in Frederick (Weld County). My 90 year old mother and
father still reside there and so I have the need to frequently drive to Frederick to help them with
their needs. I take Highway 119 from Longmont to and from their home.
In addition to making almost daily trips to Frederick, I have another reason to use Highway 119.
My daughter and her family moved into their new home at the Farm at Meadow Vale just months
ago. Much thought, much sacrifice and much hard work enabled them to fulfill their dream of
living out of the city into a safe and quiet neighborhood.
Can you even comprehend the increase in traffic, the noise and pollution that the neighboring
areas will incur if the area is re-zoned for commercial use? The hundred foot"plus" structures
will tower over the existing homes totally blocking their view of the mountains. I wonder what this
will do to the value of their properties. The safety of the children with all the transient traffic is of
extreme concern to me and I'm sure their parents. Where will the water supply come from and
who will be responsible for building the roads and most likely turning Highway 119 into ten
lanes? There are so many negatives to this project that I pray all of you will give it the utmost
and thoughtful consideration.
Indeed Weld County is endowed with vast amounts of open areas that would be more suited for
this project. Please consider the negative impact that this project will make to all citizens who
live in the Longmont and surrounding areas.
Respectfully,
YlithjitneilTailLthaYt
Marlene Tibbitts
MARL ENE TIBBITTS
1802 PRINCESS DR EXHIBIT
LONGWONT, CO 80501 1 /5/9
(l( . Ft-
Ken Auer
11671 Montgomery Circle
Longmont,CO 80504
303-772-2816 I ill n
KBAUER1@prodigy.net
riLit
March 09,2003
Dear Mr. David Long,
I am writing with much concern over the Mega Church to be located north of highway 119 and
east of County Road 31/2 that is proposed.
When we moved into our retirement home last October we had no idea of the magnitude of the
church that is planned to be built behind us,(literally in our back yard). We knew the land
was zoned residential and that a church would be built with respect to the surrounding area.
If you were to poll a large group of people and ask them if they would object to a church being
built in their community,I'm sure they would be in favor of it. Webster's definition of a
church is: a building for public and esp. Christian worship. Not a commercial complex
consisting of a Amphitheater,Schools,Senior Center,Retail Building, Thousands of Motor
Vehicles,Noise and Light Pollution, all under the umbrella of the word church.
I believe if a group of business men/women want to pursue the Mega complex idea,build it in a
location already zoned for commercial business where such things as traffic, noise,light
pollution,and extra law enforcement is already factored in.
I'm confident if you put yourself in our position you would want this property zoned residential
or possibly greenbelt.
Thank You,
Ken Auer
EXHIBIT
1 /50
��. L-
1 I i
March 10, 2003
Mr. David Long !,p 3 ID A td ,1:
Weld County Commissioner , i" � "
P.O. Box 758 REf.;.
Greeley, Colorado 80632 -L)
Subject: Lifebridge Church Rezoning Request
Dear Sir:
My family and I moved to Colorado in August 2002. We looked around the Boulder,
Longmont and Weld County area for a home we could purchase, which would include a
quiet and pleasant neighborhood We thought we had found the neighborhood at The
Elms at Meadowvale Farms located off Weld County Road 5 %2. Unfortunately we have
since discovered that one of the local churches purchased the land next door and plans to
build a very large commercial complex on that land. They say the complex will include a
church. We have no objections to a church. Most churches bring tranquility and peace to
neighborhoods
What we do object to is the proposal to build long-term health care centers, day care
centers, collegial campuses, medical facilities, and concert venues that purport to seat
several thousand persons. We also object to the buildings being hundreds of feet tall.
We have been told the land area surrounding The Elms Community has been designated
as residential. The area Lifebridge is asking to be rezoned is zoned agricultural. The
proposal before you now would allow the church to build commercial-type entities
without regard for the surrounding communities.
My family and I have a great concern about police, fire and life-saving services. The
police sub-station at Del Camino, as of January 1, 2003 had one(1) police officer
assigned. We don't even know where the closest fire station or ambulance service is
located.
How does Weld County plan to provide additional police, fire and ambulance services to
this extremely large complex when the service level is so dangerously low now? How
much does the county assessor expect our taxes will go up as a result of providing
additional services? We have been told that Lifebridge plans to rent out the amphitheater
to produce added revenue. Is such revenue generation taxable? We have been told the
church has plans to sell part of the land so they can fmance the buildings described
above. That means any company can then come in and build as many commercial units
as they want to. This does not create a pretty picture for an area zoned residential.
We expect the crime level to go up as a result of the out of area traffic through their
complex and specifically through our neighborhood.
County Road 3 '/2 and County Road 5 'h are not designed for tens of thousands of
automobiles a day. Our neighborhood is not designed to sustain several thousand cars a
day on our streets. We have hundreds of children that are constantly playing in the area.
This is a safety concern for all of our neighbors. What perverse logic is being applied to
expect Colorado highway 119 to absorb this additional traffic that will be generated by
this commercial/church complex? It is expected the large amount of traffic generated by
the new community ball field a half-mile down the road plus the church complex traffic
will create extreme difficulties for persons exiting or entering WCR 3 V2 or 5 %2. Why has
no provision been made to use WCR 5 or WCR 7 to relieve traffic going to and from this
proposed complex?
We are extremely distressed at the mega complex that is being proposed for this area.
We will support the right of any church to expand church facilities to enhance their
abilities to serve a larger audience. However this proposal before you is more than a
place of worship proposal. This is truly a commercial venture. We urge you and your
colleagues to consider the impact this proposal will have on the surrounding communities
and the ability of the county to provide adequate services to such a joint
church/commercial program.
Thank you in advance for using your professional knowledge and wisdom in representing
us in considering the proposal before you.
Sincerely,
Weld Countyy Tax Payers
y r in D. & S ezan R. Johnson
207 Bryant Dnve
Longmont, Colorado 80504
720-652-0687
* 4;:g MEMORANDUM
WID . TO: Planning Commissioners
COLORADO DATE: March 13, 2003
I...
FROM: Kim Ogle, Planner Ill
SUBJECT: PZ-1004, LifeBridge Christian Church
Request for Continuance
The Department of Planning Services is requesting a continuance to a date specific Special
Hearing of the Planning Commission on April 22, 2003 at 9:00 A.M,. Staff is requesting the
continuance given that legal notification was not provided in the County's newspaper of record.
Staff is also proposing a time schedule for the April 22, 2003 hearing to be as follows:
9:00 A.M., the hearing commences with a mid morning break followed by a lunch break. After
lunch there will be up to two afternoon breaks with the hearing decision rendered no later than
8:00 P.M.
The Department of Planning Services respectively asks the that Case Number PZ-1004 be
called by the vice-chairman in the absence of the chairman for action on this case.
The applicant, Bruce Grinnell, of LifeBridge Christian Church and the applicant's representative,
Barb Brunk of Tetra Tech/ Rocky Mountain Consultants are aware of this request and are in
support of the continuance as is evidenced by their letter dated March 13, 2003.
The applicant has asked for a pre-advertisement of the Board of County Commissioners
hearing, to be scheduled at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday May 7, 2003.
The Department of Planning Services respectively requests that this continuance be granted.
s
.45--,R
March 16, 2003
r: 29
To: Mr. David Long
County Commissioner
Weld County
Dear Mr. Long,
I am a relatively new homeowner in the Elms at Meadowvale subdivision off of
Highway 119 in Weld County. My family moved into this new home on March 181,
2002. My wife and I have been blessed with eight children, and our main
reasons for moving here from Louisville were that we needed a bigger house to
accommodate our large family, and we loved the semi-rural feel of this area.
The main purpose of this letter is to voice my concern about the proposed
Lifebridge Church development just west of our subdivision. I understand that
this land will be developed by somebody, and I feel that one could do much
worse than having a Christian church for a neighbor. (My wife and I are
Christians.) I was under the impression that this land would be used for
residential development. Normally, a church building would not be considered
incompatible with a residential area. But in my opinion, the unique
characteristics of this plan render it incompatible with a normal residential area,
including:
• A large amphitheater
• A large auditorium
• Building heights that exceed 150 feet
• Huge increases in traffic flow through our subdivision
I ask that when you are deciding on whether or not to approve this plan, that you
strongly consider the safety of our children as well as how this plan will affect the
quality of life for those that have already invested so much of their time and
money to live here.
Th k youG�yfrt pd t e
David K. Rice
11726 Montgomery Circle
Longmont, CO 80504
303-682-2865
EXHIBIT
I /53
, .`� � t I6 <<
March 27,2003
' , , 1
Glenn Vaad
Weld County Commissioner -� ip
915 10th Street
Greeley CO 80632
Mr. Vaad,
I am writing to share my concerns regarding the LifeBridge Christian Church's planned
unit development plan for the property located north of Highway 119 and east of Weld
County Road 3'/s. The Weld County Commissioners are scheduled to review the plan
at a zoning hearing on April 22, 2003. I respect the fact that you have recused yourself
from these proceedings,but I am concerned that our district does not have anyone with
a vested interest in the area representing our concerns at the County level.
My wife and I are residents of the Elms at Medowvale,a subdivision immediately east
of the proposed development; and our home is on the southeast corner of Pearl Howlett
Road and Victor Drive. As one of a number of homes lining Pearl Howlett Road, our
primary concern is the connectivity between Pearl Howlett and the proposed
development. We share many of the other concerns with our neighbors regarding
building heights, light pollution,property values etc.;but the connectivity issue is
certainly our most pressing issue.
Elms resident Danielle Didonna posted the following comment on the East Longmont
Citizens for Sensible Development web site, "In a recent conversation with Drew
Sheltinga who is with Weld County Public Works, he stated in very clear terms that he
was recommending that Pearl Howlett Road be opened for connectivity purposes to the
LBCC PUD." I have made an attempt to contact Mr. Sheltinga to verify this information,
but I have not received a response.
Let me take this opportunity to ask the Weld County Commissioners and the Weld
County Public Works to reconsider this position and to recommend not connecting Pearl
Howlett to the proposed LBCC PUD. Knowing what I do about the area and having
reviewed the site plans,I can say with certainty that if Pearl Howlett is connected to the
church parking lot it will become a primary entrance and exit for a significant number of
church members arriving from the east,which includes those members coming from the
north and south on I-25. The problem will be even worse as Pearl Howlett will be used
as a "release-valve" during those mornings where traffic and wait times are especially
bad at the intersection of Highway 119 and Weld County Road 3' . It is my opinion
that traffic should be directed onto one of the county roads north and west of the
property as opposed to being directed through an existing residential area. The existing
county roads can be redesigned to accommodate the expected volume of traffic,
whereas,Pearl Howlett cannot and should not.
EXHIBIT
0o ; FL- P 11O-5
I am sure you have heard from other residents that the Elms'neighborhood park and
mail center is on the north side of Pearl Howlett. The majority of the completed homes
in the neighborhood are on the south side of Pearl Howlett. That means we are going to
have a number of children and families crossing the road to get to the park and mail
center. The undeniable increase in the volume of traffic resulting from connectivity to
the proposed development will be a grave safety problem.
I have heard that Weld County Public Works wants Pearl Howlett to connect to the
LBCC PUD for the purpose of providing emergency and public services. If that is the
case,please let me recommend as an alternative that the County build the road but
install an emergency access gate. The emergency access gate will allow for the required
services,but it will not allow regular commuter traffic to flow through our
neighborhood.
After a long and diligent search, my wife and I finally bought our house in this
neighborhood because of the wonderful quality of life it afforded us. We have every
intention of starting and raising our family here; this was going to be our home
indefinitely. Unlike some of my neighbors, I welcome LifeBridge to the area. However,
I am aware that the size of the proposed development will cause it to have an
undeniable impact on the area. I urge you as a County Commissioner to put yourself in
my shoes as existing homeowner and concerned citizen and act to ensure that the LBCC
development does not infringe on my safety, quality of life, or property rights.
We are fortunate that we have a number of very active and very concerned neighbors
who have worked hard to make our collective interests heard. Many of us,my wife and
I included,will be taking valuable time away from our jobs to make sure our interests
are represented at the planning meeting on April 22"°. Thank you in advance for your
careful consideration.
Sincerel
Matthew T. Olson
11732 Victor Drive
Longmont,CO 80504
Cc:
David Long,Weld County Commissioner
Rob Masden,Weld County Commissioner
William"Bill"Jerke,Weld County Commissioner
Mike Geile,Weld County Commissioner
999 18TH STREET • Surre 1000
DENVER,COLORADO 80202
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11669 Montgomery Circle
Longmont, Co 80504
1,B !.171 -3 1:7 I ?
Weld County Commissioners
P.O.Box 758 F _
Greeley, CO 80632 I ,L : )
Dear Sirs
I am writing this letter in regards to the proposed development by Life Bridge Christian Church
(LBCC)adjacent to my neighborhood. I have several concerns about the development as it is currently
planned. I feel the plan as it is will affect the safety of people in my neighborhood and adversely affect the
quality of life and home values.
My biggest concern is with connecting Pearl Howlett to the proposed development. Opening this
street to this new development built primarily for semi-commercial reasons will bring thousands of car trips
per day down Pearl Howlett. People approaching LBCC from the east(and thus from 1-25, Firestone,
Frederick, Dacono,and Mead)will find it easier to drive through our neighborhood to get to LBCC's campus
than to go to County Road 3. Along Peal Howlett is the location of a future park being built and of the
community mailbox which many people walk to get their mail. Heavy traffic along this narrow residential
street will jeopardize the safety of children playing in the park and pedestrians. It will also cause the value of
the homes along this street to plummet due to the fact they will now live along a small artery instead of a small
residential street. If the planning commission insists on creating some sort of connection for emergency access
between our neighborhood and LBCC's development, perhaps they could use a small pedestrian trail or put a
locked gate across the street. These solutions would keep the access open to emergency vehicles while
keeping transient traffic out of our neighborhood. Building a pedestrian path would allow emergency traffic to
cross into the proposed development while not forcing our neighborhood to have a connecting road to LBCC's
campus. Furthermore a pedestrian path would not require a gate,which would slow any emergency response
time, and would keep the county from having to condemn our open space using eminent domain, and cutting
the only mature tree(one hundred years old+) in the neighborhood to put a road through. If a road is deemed
necessary, putting a locked gate across it would be the only solution to keeping unwanted heavy traffic out of
our residential neighborhood.
My other big concern is the height of the buildings LBCC is proposing. Allowing buildings four to
five times taller than the surrounding residential structures is simply unfair to the existing homeowners. I spent
a good deal of time recently driving through neighborhoods in Boulder, Longmont, and Ft. Collins and never
came across residential neighborhoods that were adjacent to such tall buildings. My neighbors and I are not so
naive to think that agricultural fields would always border us and that we would always have unspoiled views
of the mountains and plains from our subdivision. But buildings of the height that LBCC is proposing(which
are atop a hill as well)would block not just the mountains but great tracks of sky. LBCC's buildings would
become the visual focal point when approaching Longmont down 119 or our homes via our access roads.
I cannot think of anywhere other than in downtown urban centers of large cities where I have seen
churches as tall as LBCC is proposing. LBCC does not need to have such tall buildings to create the campus
they envision. Demanding that they lower the height of buildings to a more reasonable height of 45 or even 60
feet is not an outrageous request. It is rare in this area to have such tall buildings. As you approach Longmont
on 119 from I-25 take a look at the existing commercial, light industrial, and warehouse buildings. They
remain small enough to allow people to gaze at the mountains as you approach the city.
As a taxpayer in this county I am worried that LBCC's proposed development will essentially be
rubber-stamped and that my neighbors and I will be left with dangerous streets and imposing tall buildings to
stare at. It is my opinion that LBCC's proposed development belongs elsewhere,but if it is ultimately going to
get approved I think the points I mentioned should at least be considered. Large parking lots,light pollution,
sound pollution, and heavy construction activity are some things that this proposed development would bring
which can be mitigated. There are few good ways to mitigate the dangers opening Pearl Howlett without
inconveniencing our neighborhood. There is no way to mitigate 120-150 tall buildings. They will always be
tall and imposing.
Thank you for your time
• DII Ck.
t�5202
m
00 ; PL 15,E n
Mr. Kim Ogle veld County Planning Department
Weld County Planning Department GREELEY OFF/CE
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO, 80631 APR 0 4 2003
- r.� �� RECEIVED
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Aptilibatiori`'
^,r •
Ur( _'
Dear Kim Ogle,
I am writing this letter to express my support for the proposed Change of Zone request for the
following reasons:
The LifeBridge development plan will enhance the community in many ways by integrating
a church, single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use development, and a neighborhood
center. The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed cultural,
educational, recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities, which are
greatly, need to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at this time.
I believe that the traffic data has been exaggerated and people who site the traffic to be in
excess of 56,000 cars per day are greatly misinformed. The traffic study indicates that at final;
build-out the entire site will generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500
cars. Of this total approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars) are a result of the church campus.
The traffic study also indicates that in phase-one the traffic is approximately 3,000 car trips per
day (or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day (or 500 cars), are a result of
the church campus. Major transportation corridors surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for
the design of roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already
designated County Roads 3-1/2, 26 and 5-1/2 and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
I believe that the LifeBridge development plan building heights are another misrepresented and
misunderstood issue. We now believe that on 142 of the 160 acres the maximum height is 60 feet
or less. On only 18 acres, in the center of the campus, is the maximum height is over 60 feet. In
addition to reducing the building heights, the property line setbacks have been increased to further
reduce the impact to view. To summarize the issue of maximum building heights, only 1% of the
development plan will have buildings over 60 feet. These buildings will be at the center of the
church campus.
I believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been an excellent neighbor and an important part
of our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has proven their commitment to make its facilities
available for many other organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of public
facilities needed in the community. By making the facilities available to social, civic and community
organizations, whether they are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-
based, the community receives an enormous benefit.
Thank you for your consideration, as I believe LifeBridge is an important part of our community and
will result in many benefits to the entire community.
R u
L2&
ae a vans —�
Weld County Resident EXHIBIT
Mr. Kim Ogle March 31, 2003
Weld County Planning Department
1555 N. 17th Avenue n +eld County Planning Department
Greeley, CO, 80631 GREELEY OFFICE
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change otfZ3ne;Applicafibn APR 0 4 2003
Dear Kim Ogle, RECEIVED
We live in the Meadow Vale Farm subdivision at 1820 Meadow Vale Rd., which is a location that
has a premium view of the front range and we realize this view could be somewhat obstructed. We
still feel the new church development is the right thing to have happen for our community. We also
think the church has bent over backwards to try and accommodate our needs as well as the
concerns of the connecting subdivision's.
We are writing this letter to express our support for the proposed Change of Zone request for the
following reasons.
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance the
community by integrating a church, single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use development,
and neighborhood center. The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the
needed cultural, educational, recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities,
which are greatly in need to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at this time.
We believe that the traffic data has been exaggerated and people who site the traffic to be in
excess of 56,000 cars per day are wrong. The traffic study indicates that at final build-out; the
entire site will generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500 cars. Of
this total approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars) is a result of the church campus.
The traffic study also indicates that in phase-one the traffic is approximately 3,000 car trips per
day (or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day (or 500 cars), are a result of
the church campus. Major transportation corridors surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for
the design of roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already
designated County Roads 3-1/2, 26 and 5-1/2 and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
We believe that the LifeBridge development plan building heights are misrepresented and
misunderstood issue. We now believe that on 142 of the 160 acres the maximum height is 60 feet
or less. On only 18 acres, in the center of the campus, is the maximum height is over 60 feet. In
addition to reducing the building heights, the property line setbacks have been increased to further
reduce the impact to view. To summarize the issue of maximum building heights, only 1% of the
development plan will have buildings over 60 feet. These building will be at the center of the
church campus.
We believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important part of
our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has proven their commitment to make its facilities
available for many other organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of public
facilities needed in the community. By making the facilities available to social, civic and community
organizations, whether they are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-
based, the community receives the benefit.
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan that will result in a
benefit to our entire community.
Respectfully,
Bob & Lin Frederik en EXHIBIT
eZ:e gat,
I /51
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
APR 0 2 2003
April 1, 2003
Mr. Kim Ogle - „ j . j `! RECEIVED
Weld County Planning Department
1555 N. 17th Avenue i 1,—..i._, _ , ._- _
Greeley, CO, 80631
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
Dear Mr. Ogle,
I am a resident of Weld County and also a neighbor of the LifeBridge Christian Church Project and
I am writing to express my support for the proposed Change of Zone request for the following reasons.
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance the community by
bringing a church, single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use development, and neighborhood center.
The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed cultural, educational,
recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities, which are greatly needed to serve the
residents in my area at this time.
I believe that the traffic data was exaggerated by the people who oppose this site. The traffic study indicates
that at final build-out, the entire site will generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about
12,500 cars. Of this total approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars)are a result of the church campus and
the rest will be from the housing, which I heard at a Longview meeting, they like.
.-- The traffic study also indicates that in phase-one the traffic is approximately 3,000 car trips per day(or 1,500
cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day(or 500 cars), are a result of the church campus.
Major transportation corridors surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for the design of roads that will
accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already designated County Roads 3-1/2, 26, 5-1/2 and
7 as"collectors" in their transportation network.
I believe that the LifeBridge development plan building heights are another misrepresented and
misunderstood issue. We now believe that on 142 of the 160 acres the maximum height is 60 feet or less.
On only 18 acres, in the center of the campus, is where the maximum height is over 60 feet. In addition to
reducing the building heights, the property line setbacks have been increased to further reduce the impact to
view. To summarize the issue of maximum building heights, only 1% of the development plan will have
buildings over 60 feet. These building will be at the center of the church campus.
I believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important part of our community
for over 110 years. LifeBridge has proven their commitment to make its facilities available for many other
organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of public facilities needed in the community. By
making the facilities available to social, civic and community organizations, whether they are profit or non-
profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-based, the community receives the benefit.
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan that will result in a benefit to
our entire community.
R spectfully,
anannC tefano
11171 Bluff Lodge
Longmont, CO 80504 EXHIBIT
CO pt ..
April 4, 2003
Mr. Kim Ogle Weld County Planning Department
9 GREELEY OFFICE
Weld County Planning Department APR Q 7 2003
1555 N. 17th Avenue ,,
Greeley, CO, 80631
RECEIVED
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change ofFZneAppUgatioh
Dear Kim Ogle,
We are writing this letter to express our support for the proposed Change of Zone request for the
following reasons.
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance the
community by integrating a church, single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use development,
and neighborhood center. The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the
needed cultural, educational, recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities,
which are greatly, need to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at this time.
We believe that the traffic data has been exaggerated and people who site the traffic to be in
excess of 56,000 cars per day are wrong. The traffic study indicates that at final; build-out the
entire site will generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500 cars. Of
this total approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars) are a result of the church campus.
The traffic study also indicates that in phase-one the traffic is approximately 3,000 car trips per
day (or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day (or 500 cars), are a result of
the church campus. Major transportation corridors surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for
the design of roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already
designated County Roads 3-1/2, 26 and 5-1/2 and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
We believe that the LifeBridge development plan building heights are another misrepresented
and misunderstood issue. We now believe that on 142 of the 160 acres the maximum height is 60
feet or less. On only 18 acres, in the center of the campus, is the maximum height is over 60 feet.
In addition to reducing the building heights, the property line setbacks have been increased to
further reduce the impact to view. To summarize the issue of maximum building heights, only 1%
of the development plan will have buildings over 60 feet. These building will be at the center of
the church campus.
We believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important part of
our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has proven their commitment to make its facilities
'available for many other organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of public
facilities needed in the community. By making the facilities available to social, civic and community
organizations, whether they are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-
based, the community receives the benefit.
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan that will result in a
benefit to our entire community.
Respectfully, EXHIBIT
/59
,n 00
1' let—
Al&Shirlee Larson,4792 Falcon Drive,Frederick CO 80504, phone 720/494-8914,EMail alnays@express56 corn
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
Mr Kim Ogle APR 0 7 2003
Weld County Planning Department RECEIVED
1555 N 17a'Avenue ,
Greeley, CO 80631
_i
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
Dear Kim Ogle,
I am a Weld County resident and am writing this letter to express my support for the proposed
Change of Zone request for the following reasons.
The LifeBridge 313-acre site plan is inside the Weld County 1-25 Mixed Use Development
(referred to as the 1-25 MUD) plan area, which consists of 14,750 acres in southwest Weld County.
Despite comments otherwise, the LifeBridge development plan is completely consistent with the intent
of the I-25 MUD plan,which was approved by Weld County in 1992. Weld County anticipated that the
14,750 acre, 1-25 MUD, will be urbanized, and eventually the home of nearly 60,000 people. Those
people who believe that this area will remain rural Weld County are terribly misinformed.
The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed cultural,
educational, recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities. Included in this
development plan are more than 90-acres for open space. This is not a new plan for LifeBridge;
LifeBridge Christian Church has a 110-year history of providing these same benefits to the Longmont
area community.
I believe that the traffic data has been grossly over exaggerated and misrepresented by a few
individuals. Those individuals who indicate the traffic to be in excess of 56,000 cars per day are
wrong.
The complete traffic study, which has been reviewed by Weld County Public Works, the City
of Longmont Public Works, and the Colorado Department of Transportation, indicates that at final
build-out the entire site will generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500
cars. Of this total approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars) are a result of the church campus. The
balance of the traffic, approximately 16,000 car trips per day (or 8,000 cars), are a result of the single-
family housing, senior housing, mixed-use, and neighborhood development.
The traffic study indicates that in phase-one (planned to take until 2008 to complete) the traffic
is approximately 3,000 car trips per day (or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per
day (or 500 cars), are a result of the church campus. The balance of the traffic, which is
approximately 2,000 car trips per day (or 1,000 cars), is a result of the single-family housing, and
senior housing development.
The LifeBridge development plan does not ask for, or require, any connectivity of streets to
the adjacent neighborhoods. LifeBridge planning staffs are opposed to the connectivity of the streets
in the development plan to both Pearl Howlett(in the Elms)and Blue Mountain Road (in Meadow Vale
Farms). I support the neighborhood opposition on the issue of connectivity of the streets.
Major transportation corridors, which are roads that are designated as highways, arterials and
collectors, surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for the design of roads that will accommodate
the projected traffic. Weld County had already designated County Roads 3-1/2, 5-1/2, 7, and 26 as
collectors in their transportation network. EXHII3IT
I /6O
Noise and lighting is another area where misinformation has caused unnecessary anxiety.
LifeBridge has been aware of the Weld County and State of Colorado noise and lighting ordinances
and intends to meet or exceed the requirements of those ordinances.
To mitigate the impact of noise (and ensure compliance with the ordinances) from the site to
adjacent properties and onto the site from adjacent properties, landscaped berms will be constructed
to reflect and muffle noise. The berms are shown on the site development plan and referred to in the
LifeBridge application documents.
To mitigate the impact of lighting, bollard lighting and non-directional lighting will be used, as
stated in the LifeBridge application documents. Non-directional lighting in parking areas will ensure
that the lighting is environmentally friendly. No lighting is proposed for sports fields, Weld County
does not allow for lighted sports fields on private property.
I believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important part of
our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has given tens of thousands of volunteers and
volunteer hours to the community to hundreds of different organizations. LifeBridge has proven their
commitment to make its facilities available for many other organizations and the community, thus
reducing the amount of public facilities needed in the community. By making the facilities available to
social, civic and community organizations, whether they are profit or non-profit, whether they are
faith-based or non faith-based, the community receives the benefit. As evidence of their intent to
provide facilities I understand that recent uses and users of their existing facility are:
• Youth, children, adults, seniors, singles, families,
• Education, recreation, prayer, weddings, funerals, disaster relief
• Playgrounds, athletic courts, basketball, volleyball, in-line hockey, soccer, football,
Chairobics, baseball, softball, Longmont YMCA, Longmont Lightning Basketball,
Longmont Scorpions Baseball, Longmont Vipers Baseball, CU Women's Basketball
Clinic,
• Choral programs, concerts, sports dinners, theatre, teacher training, parent meetings
• OUR center food collection, angel tree Christmas gifts, Optimists, Kiwanis, Friends
First, Life Choices, Habitat for Humanity, Abstinence Awareness, Alternative for Youth,
Apple Kids,
• Government Elections Polling Place, Boulder County Health Department Small Pox
inoculation program site, Lifeline Health Screenings, Bonfils Mobile Blood Donor
Program, Teens Alive and Sober Program, Sonshine preschool and daycare, Red
Cross Emergency Shelter, Social Services, Boulder County Sheriffs Department
• Corporate meeting facilities for: Maxtor, First National Bank, Community Advantage,
Longmont Christian School, Longmont High School, St Vrain Valley School District,
Creative Memories, Longmont Times Call, and many others,
• Private social events for birthdays, anniversaries, showers, open houses,
Quinceaneras, music recitals, receptions, dinners, private school events, dance
recitals
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan that will result
in a benefit to our entire community.
Respectfully,
Brad Evans
Weld County Resident
(970) 587-4980
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE 1-7 - Ci 3
APR 0 9 2003
RECEIVED
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EXHIBIT 7
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Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
APR 0 9 2003
Weld Co my RECEIVED
Weld County Planning Department r, +
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
Dear Kim Ogle,
I am writing this letter to express my support for the proposed Change of Zone request
for the following reasons.
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is much more than a church. It will
enhance the community by integrating a church, single-family housing, senior housing,
mixed-use development, and neighborhood center. The LifeBridge plan will provide the
local community with some of the needed cultural, educational, recreational, social, civic,
community, commercial, and retail facilities, which aregreatly needed to aerve the
residents in the I-25 MUD area at this time.
I believe that the traffic data has been exaggerated and people who site the traffic ,
to be in excess of 56,000 cars per day are wrong. The traffic study indicates that at final;
build-out the entire site will generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to
about 12,500 cars. Of this total approximately 9,000 car trips(or 4,500 cars) are a result
of the church campus.
_ The traffic study also indicates that in phase-one the traffic is approximately
3,000 car trips per day(or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day
(or 500 cars), are a result of the church campus. Major transportation corridors surround
the life bridge property, allowing for the design of roads that will accommodate the
projected traffic. Weld County had already designated County Roads 3-1/2, 26 and 5-1/2
and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
I believe that the LifeBridge development plan building heights are another
misrepresented and misunderstood issue. I now believe that on 142 of the 160 acres the
maximum height is 60 feet or less. On only 18 acres, in the center of the campus, is the
maximum height is over 60 feet. In addition to reducing the building heights, the
property line setbacks have been increased to further reduce the impact to view. To
summarize the issue of maximum building heights, only 1% of the development plan will
have buildings over 60 feet. These buildings will be at the center of the church campus.
I believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an
important part of our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has proven their
commitment to make its facilities available for many other organizations and the
community, thus reducing the amount of public facilities needed in the community. By
making the facilities available to social, civic and community organizations, whether they
are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-based, the community
receives the benefit.
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan
that will result in a benefit to our entire community.
Respect Ily, EXHIBR
Weld County
planning Department
G EI APR 092003
. :I -: RECEIVED
April 7, 2003
Dear Mr. Ogle,
We have been interested and intrigued by the debate regarding the proposed Life Bridge
Church Development Plan. Our home is only a couple miles north of the area being
discussed, and whatever is decided will impact us rather directly.
While we do not attend the Life Bridge Church in Longmont, we have been impressed
with it for the 30 years we've lived in this area. Many changes have been made and we
believe these changes have affected in a positive way the life style that we enjoy in Weld
County. It is our belief that the Life Bridge Development Plan will be a quality complex
based on all I know about their operations in the past. It is a local entity and much
consideration is and will be given to insure it will meet the needs of the people in this
area, and compliment nicely other efforts and facilities in this part of Weld County.
From our point of view the development in question will richly impact the area and
provide much needed resources for the population to be served. We are not experts by
any means, in the intricate way a development affects a population group, however, the
proposed plan, we believe, makes a lot of sense and the quality of life will be enhanced
for all of us living in this community.
Please support this Development Plan. It will be a strong asset for all who will be
affected by it.
Sincerely, T�
hie/e . lee. §c)eneon
eer Mated CO
O5-7,3
EXHIBIT
/66
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
April 6, 2003 APR 0 9 2003
r'' D.
Mr. Kim Ogle r RECEIVED
Weld County Planning Department r1L ;
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church Change of Zone Application
Dear Mr. Ogle,
We are writing this letter to express our support for the proposed change of
zone request for the following reasons:
1. The LifeBridge development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance
the community by integrating a church, single-family housing, senior housing,
mixed-use development and a neighborhood center. The LifeBridge plan appears
to be completely consistent within the Weld County PUD code. Weld County
planning maps have designated a neighborhood center on the property for several
years. Those people who believe that this area will remain rural Weld County are
misinformed.
2. The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed
cultural, educational, recreational, social, civic, community and retail facilities.
These facilities are greatly needed to serve the residents in the I-25 MUD area.
Included in the development plan are more than 90 acres of open space. This is
not a new plan for LifeBridge.
3. We believe that the traffic data has been over exaggerated and misrepresented.
The complete traffic study indicates that at the final completion of the site, about
25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500, would be generated. Of
this total, approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4500 cars) would be a result of the
church. The balance of the traffic would be a result of the housing and
neighborhood development.
4. The traffic study indicates that in Phase One,the traffic would be about 3000 car
trips daily. Of this total about 1000 trips would be directly related with the church
campus. The remainder, about 2000 car trips, would be the result of the housing.
5. Major transportation roads surround the LifeBridge campus allowing for the
design of roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County has
already designated County Roads 3-1/2, 26, 5-1/2 and 7 as "collectors" in their
network.
6. We believe that the LifeBridge plan for building heights is another
misunderstanding. Everyone understands that a mountain view is not a privilege;
your neighbor who owns property west of you probably has the ability to build
and block your view. I understand that LifeBridge and the residents have worked
together to create a plan that has substantially minimized the impact to the view.
This plan required both sides to meet in the middle in order to compromise on this
issue.
EXHIBIT
/6(7
a
7. During the past 45 days or so, the proposed maximum building height on the 160-
acre church campus has been reduced so that on 90 acres the maximum height is
45 feet or less; on 52 acres the maximum is 60 feet; and only on 18 acres (in the
center of the campus)the maximum height would be 90 feet. We understand that
only about 1%of the development will have buildings over 60 feet and these
would be located in the center of the church campus. As a result of the reduced
building heights and property line setbacks, the LifeBridge plan has an overall
impact to the view that is less than a single-family development plan.
8. Noise and lighting is another area where some misunderstanding has occurred.
We understand that LifeBridge has been aware of the Weld County and State of
Colorado noise and lighting ordinances and has always intended to meet those
requirements.
9. We believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an
important part of the Longmont community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has
provided hundreds of volunteer hours to the community for many different
organizations. LifeBridge has proven its commitment to make its facilities
available for many other community organizations.
10. By making the facilities available for social, civic and community organizations,
whether they be profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or not,the
community receives the benefit.
Thank you for your consideration and please represent our support for the LifeBridge
plan that would benefit the entire community.
Sincerely,
akanec
Judy Bakanec
5816 Wetland Loop
Frederick, CO 80504
303-678-7140
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
Mr. Kim Ogle APR 0 9 2003
Weld County Planning Department = - RECEIVED
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
Dear Kim Ogle,
I am writing this letter as a Business Owner in Weld County expressing my support for
the change of zone that LifeBridge Church has recently filed.
The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed
cultural, educational, recreational, social, civic, community, and retail facilities, which
are greatly, need to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at this time. Included in this
development plan are more than 90-acres for open space. This is not a new plan for
LifeBridge; LifeBridge Christian Church has a 110-year history of providing these same
benefits to the community.
The complete traffic study indicates that at final build-out the entire site will
generate about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500 cars. Of this total
approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars)are a result of the church campus. The
balance of the traffic, approximately 16,000 car trips per day (or 8,000 cars), is a result of
the single-family housing, senior housing development.
Major transportation corridors, which are roads that are designated as highways,
arterials and collectors, surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for the design of
roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already designated
County Roads 3-1/2, 26 and 5-1/2 and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
I understand that together LifeBridge and the residents have worked together to
create a plan that has substantially minimized the impact to the view. This plan required
both sides to give and meet in the middle in order to compromise on this issue. I feel
LifeBridge ahs been very fair in this respect. I understand that during the last 45 days the
proposed maximum building height on the 160-acre church campus has been reduced so
that on 90 acres the maximum height is 45 feet or less, on 52 acres the maximum height
is 60 feet, and only 18 acres, in the center of the campus, the maximum height is 90 feet.
We understand that 1%of the development plan will have buildings over 60 feet and
these building will be at the center of the church campus. As a result of the reduced
building heights and property line setbacks, the LifeBridge development plan has an
overall impact to the view, which is less than a single-family housing development plan.
I understand that LifeBridge has been aware of the Weld County and State of
Colorado noise and lighting ordinances and has always intended to meet or exceed the
requirements of those ordinances. Given LifeBridges past track record regarding this
issue, I feel it would be an indication of what they will do in the future also.
EXHIBIT
I believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an
important part of our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has given tens of
thousands of volunteers and volunteer hours to the community to hundreds of different
organizations. LifeBridge has proven their commitment to make its facilities available
for many other organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of public
facilities needed in the community. By making the facilities available to social, civic and
community organizations, whether they are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-
based or non faith-based, the community receives the benefit.
Please represent my support for this plan that will result in a benefit to our entire
community.
Respectfully,
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
Frank & Jana Pierce APR 0 9 2003
1998 Blue Mountain Road
Longmont, CO 80504 RECEIVED
Tel: 303 678 0969
Mr. Kim Ogle
Weld County Planning Department
1555 N. 17t Ave.
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church (LBCC) PUD Change of Zone Application
Dear Mr. Ogle,
As residents of the Meadowvale sub-development near the proposed site, we are
writing this letter in support of the proposed change of zone request for the
following reasons:
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is more than a church. Not only will it
bring a church facility to the area, but it will also incorporate a neighborhood
center, single-family housing, senior housing and mixed-use development. This
plan seems to be completely consistent with the Weld county PUD code. The
Weld county planning maps have designated a neighborhood center on the
property for several years. Therefore those people that claim this area is to
remain Weld county rural space are misinformed.
The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed
civic, community, cultural, educational, recreational, social, and commercial
facilities, which are greatly needed to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at
this time. This is not a new plan for LifeBridge; the church has been providing
some of these same benefits to the community for over 110-years. In addition,
LifeBridge has included in the development plan more than 90 acres for open
space.
In regards to the traffic data, we believe some people are intentionally
misrepresenting it to raise opposition. According to the complete traffic study
which has been reviewed by Weld County Public Works, the City of Longmont
Public Works and the Colorado Department of Transportation, it indicates in
Phase One (the site to be constructed from 2004-2008) the traffic is
approximately 3,000 car trips per day(or 1,500 cars). Approximately 500 of those
cars are due to the church campus, the remaining 1,000 are due to the single- simmlow,
family housing and senior housing development. Note, if this property had been
developed as residential only, it would have more car trips per day. During
further campus expansion, as the traffic study indicates, the traffic will increase in to Ns
proportion with the long-range, final build-out plan which will not take place for
25-50 years.
Frank&Jana Pierce
1998 Blue Mountain Road
Longmont,CO 80504
Tel:303 678 0969
Page 2
Major transportation corridors surround the LifeBridge property which allow for
design and development to accommodate the projected traffic. County Roads
3 %, 26, 5 'h, and 7 are already designated by Weld county as"collectors" in
Weld's transportation network. Furthermore, LifeBridge is not requiring nor
asking for any connectivity of streets with the adjacent neighborhoods.
Another area that has been purposely used to create opposition, is the
misinformation regarding the proposed building heights. While we enjoy
mountain views from our property, we understand that this is a privilege and not
a right. Though covenants exist in our neighborhood to protect what views we
have, there are property owners that disregard these covenants and block their
neighbors' views. It is some of these same people that are demanding they have
a "right"to their views of the mountains and therefore oppose the LifeBridge
project. Furthermore, LifeBridge has worked with the surrounding community
over the last couple of months to lessen the impact of this project. So much so
that the current LifeBridge development plan's overall impact is less than a
single-family housing development plan! This seems more than reasonable and
more than anyone with lots facing West should expect from land they do not own.
In summary, we believe that LifeBridge is a good neighbor and will continue to
provide important community services including facilities, and its volunteer
outreach to various areas of the community. Moreover, it has met and or
exceeded MUD qualifications and has listened and made adjustments above and
beyond reasonable limits.
Thank you for your consideration and please p sent my support for this plan
that will result in a benefit to our firer uni .
Sincerely, _A-et
v 4
•
Frank & Jana Pierce
Meadowvale Residents
April 6, 2003
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
APR 0 9 2003
3: 01 RECEIVED
April 6,2003
F'L4
Mr. Kim Ogle '
Weld County Planning Department
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley,Colorado 80631
Dear Mr. Ogle,
Re: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
We have been Colorado residents for most of our lives and residents of Weld County since 1994.Over the last 30
years, time and again we have seen a red flag of protest sent up in reference to growth in Colorado,especially
when the growth was seen to be encroaching upon what was perceived to be an agricultural area. Near as I can
tell, almost any building that has ever been built, encroached upon what was at one time farming, ranching,
mining,or agricultural.Who can forget Governor Richard Lamm's vow to"drive a silver stake through the heart
of the 1976 Winter Olympic Games."Then just a short time ago, we watched as our neighbors in Salt Lake
reaped the benefits of this event.All that growth that Governor Lamm thought he would stop happened anyway.
He has as much admitted that.That is why we have a Weld County Planning Department. Growth is inevitable.
Let's face it,if we are not worrying about the encroachment of new development into previously undeveloped
areas,it is only because the land has been set aside for parks,or because we are in a deep recession that affects
everybody. It is your difficult, and often thankless job to try and harness the freight train of development, and
make it into progressive residential and commercial neighborhoods.
We are writing this letter to express our support for the proposed Change of Zone request put forth by LifeBridge
Christian Church.We recognize and empathize that surrounding neighbors would be concerned about how this
development is going to take place could effect their quality of life and property values. However,the first and
perhaps most significant misconception that has to be overcome is that somehow this area can remain"undevel-
oped"and agricultural. Common sense and history dictate that the question is not whether this area gets devel-
oped,but who develops it.According to the Weld County 1-25 Mixed Use Development Plan approved in 1992,
this area will be urbanized,and eventually be the home of nearly 60,000 people.
As a former member of the Board of two different Homeowners Associations,I have seen first hand how infor-
mation gets grossly overexaggerated and misconstrued when a neighborhood suddenly wakes up to realize that
the surrounding areas may be developed.It is much like the old children's game where one child starts a story by
whispering it in the next's ear and so on and so on through a classroom of children,only to see how information
is subtracted and added as it is passed.Very often,the story that is told by the final child bears little resemblance
to the original story. Perhaps a review of some of the misconceptions being repeated in passed along stories
needs to be reviewed surrounding this request.
The traffic data being represented by opponents of the changing of this zoning is just plain grossly incorrect. No
reputable traffic engineer has ever come forth with any support for the often thrown about traffic figure of
56,000 cars per day. A complete traffic study indicates that the final build out of the site will generate about
25,000 car trips per day,which equates to about 12,500 cars.Only about 33%of these would be related to church
activities.The rest would result from housing and neighborhood development as part of the project.This devel-
opment will likely take place whether it is part of the church project or not.
EXHIBIT
/ (
The LifeBridge Development Plan for the 312 acre site plan is inside the Weld County 1-25 Mixed Use Devel-
opment(referred to as the I-25 MUD)plan area.Despite comments otherwise,the LifeBridge development plan
is completely consistent with the intent of the I-25 MUD plan,which was approved by Weld County in 1992.
Another area where the opposition seems to want to misrepresent or misunderstand the issue is to raise un-
founded fears is in building height. Only 1% of the development will have buildings over 60 feet and these
buildings will be at the center of the church campus.In the last 45 days,a program has been developed to reduce
building heights and change property line setbacks so that the LifeBridge development plan has an overall
impact to the view which is less that a single-family housing development plan,
In reference to opposition stated concerns about noise and lighting,we are told that LifeBridge has been aware
of Weld County and State of Colorado noise and lighting ordinances and has always intended to meet or exceed
the requirements of those ordinances.
As previously stated,it would seem that the key questions are not if,but when these areas will be developed;and
by whom. LifeBridge Christian Church has been an integral part of the Longmont Community for over 110
years.Many of our friends and neighbors residing in Mead or the surrounding Weld County area are members or
regular attendees of LifeBridge Christian Church.We have seen first hand the outreach and civic involvement of
our church. We can adamantly state that the proposed new Campus of LifeBridge Christian Church will be
Boulder County's loss and Weld County's gain. LifeBridge has provided thousands of volunteers of tens of
thousands of volunteer hours to the community. Hundreds of companies and non-profit organizations have
directly benefitted. It has kept its commitments to make its facilities available to many organizations within the
community. It would seem that the track record of LifeBridge Christian Church as a good neighbor speaks for
itself.
While I am sure many of the objections to this zoning ordinance change would occur if Wal-Mart®were consid-
ering the development of a Super Center on this site, I find it a little ironicihat a neighborhood would fight the
presence of a civic minded church in their backyard. If one carefully analyzes the facts,they find that many of
the objections are over,overexaggerated.That may well be why well intentioned and well meaning people would
express their feelings so strongly.It seems that that is where your job steps in,to separate fact and fiction,and to
logically consider the impact that this development will have. It is more than a church building. It can be a
campus for and to the community, and the planners of the entire 313 acre LifeBridge development plan have
truly seemed to make this an integral part of what they want to accomplish.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We believe that Weld County will greatly benefit from having
LifeBridge as part of its future,and as Weld County Residents we ask you to join us in the support of the change
in zoning and development plan for LifeBridge Christian Church.
Sinc ely,
&ftwrJain Ill_ O `‘- $
Doyle Tammy Bloss (/
148 Eagle Avenue
Mead,Colorado 80542
(970)590-3583
Weld County Planning Department
, GREELEY OFFICE
APR 0 9 2003
RECEIVED
Mr. Kim Ogle
Weld County Planning Departt1 it.-'
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
Dear Mr. Ogle:
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
We are writing this letter to express our support for the proposed Change of Zone
request for the following reasons:
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance
the community by integrating a church, single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use
development, and neighborhood center. The 313-acre LifeBridge development plan
appears to be completely consistent within the Weld County PUD code. Weld County
planning maps have designated a neighborhood center on the property for several
years. Those people who believe that this area will remain rural Weld County are
misinformed.
The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed cultural,
educational, recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities, which
are greatly needed to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at this time. Included in
this development plan are more than 90 acres for open space. This is not a new plan for
LifeBridge; LifeBridge Christian Church has a 110-year history of providing these same
benefits to the community.
We believe that the traffic data has been grossly over exaggerated and misrepresented
by a few people to intentionally create opposition. Those people who indicate the traffic
to be in excess of 56,000 cars per day are wrong.
The complete traffic study indicates that at final build-out the entire site will generate
about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500 cars. Of this total
approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars) are a result of the church campus. The
balance of the traffic, approximately 16,000 car trips per day (or 8,000 cars), is a result
of the single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use, and neighborhood development.
The traffic study indicates that in Phase One the traffic is approximately 3,000 car trips
per day (or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day (or 500 cars)
are a result of the church campus. The balance of the traffic, which is approximately
2,000 car trips per day (or 1,000 cars), is a result of the single-family housing and senior
housing development.
Major transportation corridors, which are roads that are designated as highways,
arterials, and collectors, surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for the design of
EXHIBIT
-1- /6R
roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already designated
County Roads 3-1/2, 26, 5-1/2, and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
We believe that the LifeBridge development plan for building heights is another
misrepresented and misunderstood issue that has been used to intentionally create
opposition. Most everyone understands that a view of the mountains is not a privilege;
your neighbor who owns the property west of you probably has the ability to build and
block your view. Yet I understand that together LifeBridge and the residents have
worked together to create a plan that has substantially minimized the impact to the view.
This plan required both sides to give and meet in the middle in order to compromise on
this issue.
We understand that during the last 45 days the proposed maximum building height on
the 160-acre church campus has been reduced so that on 90 acres the maximum height
is 45 feet or less; on 52 acres the maximum height is 60 feet; and only on 18 acres, in
the center of the campus, the maximum height is 90 feet. We understand that 1% of the
development plan will have buildings over 60 feet and these building will be at the center
of the church campus. As a result of the reduced building heights and property line
setbacks, the LifeBridge development plan has an overall impact to the view which is
less than a single-family housing development plan.
Noise and lighting is another area where some misunderstanding has occurred. We
understand that LifeBridge has been aware of the Weld County and State of Colorado
noise and lighting ordinances and has always intended to meet or exceed the
requirements of those ordinances.
We believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important
part of our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has given tens of thousands of
volunteers and volunteer hours to the community to hundreds of different organizations.
LifeBridge has proven its commitment to make its facilities available for many other
organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of dollars spent on public
facilities in the community.
By making the facilities available to social, civic, and community organizations, whether
they are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-based, the
community receives the benefit
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan that will
result in a benefit to our entire community.
spectfully,
Ltb oweND
2/ ,ok zwf 34'
-2-
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
APR 0 9 2003
t. > > 4 n , RECEIVED
Mr. Kim Ogle
Weld County Planning Department-r-
1555 N. 17`"Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
Dear Mr. Ogle:
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
We are writing this letter to express our support for the proposed Change of Zone
request for the following reasons:
The LifeBridge 313-acre development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance
the community by integrating a church, single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use
development, and neighborhood center. The 313-acre LifeBridge development plan
appears to be completely consistent within the Weld County PUD code. Weld County
planning maps have designated a neighborhood center on the property for several
years. Those people who believe that this area will remain rural Weld County are
misinformed.
The LifeBridge plan will provide the local community with some of the needed cultural,
educational, recreational, social, civic, community, commercial, and retail facilities, which
are greatly needed to serve the residents in the 1-25 MUD area at this time. Included in
this development plan are more than 90 acres for open space. This is not a new plan for
LifeBridge; LifeBridge Christian Church has a 110-year history of providing these same
benefits to the community.
We believe that the traffic data has been grossly over exaggerated and misrepresented
by a few people to intentionally create opposition. Those people who indicate the traffic
to be in excess of 56,000 cars per day are wrong.
The complete traffic study indicates that at final build-out the entire site will generate
about 25,000 car trips per day, which equates to about 12,500 cars. Of this total
approximately 9,000 car trips (or 4,500 cars) are a result of the church campus. The
balance of the traffic, approximately 16,000 car trips per day (or 8,000 cars), is a result
of the single-family housing, senior housing, mixed-use, and neighborhood development.
The traffic study indicates that in Phase One the traffic is approximately 3,000 car trips
per day (or 1,500 cars). Of this total approximately 1,000 car trips per day (or 500 cars)
are a result of the church campus. The balance of the traffic, which is approximately
2,000 car trips per day (or 1,000 cars), is a result of the single-family housing and senior
housing development.
Major transportation corridors, which are roads that are designated as highways,
arterials, and collectors, surround the LifeBridge property, allowing for the design of
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EXHIBIT
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roads that will accommodate the projected traffic. Weld County had already designated
County Roads 3-1/2, 26, 5-1/2, and 7 as "collectors" in their transportation network.
We believe that the LifeBridge development plan for building heights is another
misrepresented and misunderstood issue that has been used to intentionally create
opposition. Most everyone understands that a view of the mountains is not a privilege;
your neighbor who owns the property west of you probably has the ability to build and
block your view. Yet I understand that together LifeBridge and the residents have
worked together to create a plan that has substantially minimized the impact to the view.
This plan required both sides to give and meet in the middle in order to compromise on
this issue.
We understand that during the last 45 days the proposed maximum building height on
the 160-acre church campus has been reduced so that on 90 acres the maximum height
is 45 feet or less; on 52 acres the maximum height is 60 feet; and only on 18 acres, in
the center of the campus, the maximum height is 90 feet. We understand that 1% of the
development plan will have buildings over 60 feet and these building will be at the center
of the church campus. As a result of the reduced building heights and property line
setbacks, the LifeBridge development plan has an overall impact to the view which is
less than a single-family housing development plan.
Noise and lighting is another area where some misunderstanding has occurred. We
understand that LifeBridge has been aware of the Weld County and State of Colorado
noise and lighting ordinances and has always intended to meet or exceed the
requirements of those ordinances.
We believe that LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important
part of our community for over 110 years. LifeBridge has given tens of thousands of
volunteers and volunteer hours to the community to hundreds of different organizations.
LifeBridge has proven its commitment to make its facilities available for many other
organizations and the community, thus reducing the amount of dollars spent on public
facilities in the community.
By making the facilities available to social, civic, and community organizations, whether
they are profit or non-profit, whether they are faith-based or non faith-based, the
community receives the benefit
Thank you for your consideration and please represent my support for this plan that will
result in a benefit to our entire community.
Respectfully,
Martot-tici db . 2e 6S
-2-
Weld County Planning Department
GREELEY OFFICE
APR 0 9 2003
Mr.Kim Ogle "' ' RECEIVED
Weld County Planning Department "
1555 N. 17th Ave.
Greeley,CO 80631 E`'
RE: LifeBridge Christian Church PUD Change of Zone Application
Dear Mr.Ogle:
As Weld County residents and property owners, I am writing this letter on behalf of my family
to express my support for the proposed Change of Zone request for LifeBridge Christian Church.
We are aware that there are some disgruntled residents who have been using inaccurate
information in expressing their desire to disallow the application to pass. Specifically,
they are opposing the application based on the Development Plan,Traffic, Building Heights,
and Noise and Lighting issues.
The LifeBridge development plan appears to be consistent within the Weld County PUD code
and the planning maps have designated a neighborhood center on the property for several years.
Those people who believe this area would remain rural have been mislead or misinformed.This
development plan is much more than a church. It will enhance the community by integrating
single-family housing,mixed-use development, a neighborhood center as well as a church.It
i^ will provide the local community with some of the needed cultural,educational, recreational,
social, civic, community,commercial and retail facilities which are needed to serve the
residents in the 1-25 MUD area.Included in this plan are more than ninety acres for open space.
This is not a new plan for the church but a continuation of a 110 year history of providing
these same benefits to the community.
We also believe the traffic data has been completely exaggerated and misrepresented by a few people
trying to create intentional opposition. Those indicating the traffic to be in excess of 56,000
cars per day are wrong. The complete traffic study reviewed by Weld County Public Works,the
City of Longmont Public Works and the Colorado Department of Transportation, indicates at FINAL
build-out the entire site in 25-50 years will generate about 25,000 cars trips per day which includes
a two-way trip by 12,500 cars.Of this total only about 9,000 are a result of the church campus.
The rest being a result of the single-family housing, senior housing,mixed use, and neighborhood
development.Phase One will only result in about 3,000 trips per day according to the study, 1,000
of which are from the church campus.
The proposed building heights have also been misrepresented and misunderstood. There has never
been a request for 150-200 foot tall buildings. After many days of meetings with the residents
a plan was created that required both sides to give a little that resulted in maximum building
heights to be reduced as follows:
-Within 30 acres there are no buildings
-Within 60 acres the maximum height is 45 feet.
-Within 15 acres the maximum height is 55 feet.
-Within 37 acres the maximum height is 60 feet.
- Within 18 acres, in the center of the campus,the maximum height is 90 feet.
DCHIBfT
/7o
In addition,the property line setbacks have been increased to 400, 500,700,900 and 1200 feet to fur-
ther reduce the impact to view. With these changes,the development plan will have only 1%over 60
feet(at the center of the campus)and the overall impact to the view is now less than a single-family
housing development plan.
The LifeBridge staff and consultants are very aware of the Weld County and State of Colorado noise
and lighting ordinances and have always intended to meet or exceed the requirements. To even further
reduce the impact of the noise to the adjacent properties landscaped berms will be constructed to
reflect and muffle noise. While most people are aware of the issues with the City of Longmont
Sandstone Ranch sports complex and their lighting,the LifeBridge plan calls for non-directional
and bollard lighting to ensure it is environmentally friendly.No lighting is proposed for sports fields in
Weld County,as there is no allowance for sports fields on private property.
LifeBridge Christian Church has been a good neighbor and an important part of the community for
over 110 years. They have given tens of thousands of volunteers and hours to the community and to
hundreds of organizations. They have and will continue to make its facilities available for many
other organizations and uses by the community which reduces the money spent on public facilities
using tax dollars.
My family considers this development plan a welcome addition that puts community first.
Respectfully,ct ita(920-- 4"---irstoe-a2n—"
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