LONGMONT, Colo.-
LifeBridge Christian Church has proposed building a 6,000-seat chapel, about 650,000 square feet of retail space and homes, and senior housing on 313 acres along Colorado 119 east of the city.
The question remains whether it will become part of the city.
The church has won permission to build on unincorporated Weld County, but it is working to win approval to develop within city limits.
Already the church has agreed to lower the overall height of the largest buildings, even though they still remain higher than what’s normally allowed in Longmont.
LifeBridge is seeking changes to city development rules, along with permission to create a special tax district to help pay for the project’s upfront costs.
Developers also are seeking the right to develop portions of the plan without significant changes from future elected officials.
To help pay for the development, officials of the nondenominational church are asking the city to annex their current 100-acre campus and turn it into a shopping center backed by high-end homes.
On Tuesday, Council members will be asked to decide whether that proposal meets state statutory requirements.
LifeBridge, founded in Longmont in about 1889, has satellite locations in Frederick and Johnstown. It says it needs to expand to serve its more than 3,300 congregants.
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Information from: Daily Times-Call,
