Longmont – The City Council voted late Tuesday night to hold off on annexing a church’s massive development project – including homes, worship centers and a sports arena – because of questions over its tax-exempt status.
LifeBridge Christian Church wants the city to annex for development 348 acres of land north of Colorado 119 near Union Reservoir. The proposal includes 317 houses, apartments and condominiums; 57 acres of religious and civic space; 40 acres of mixed-use commercial, retail and office space; and a 150,000-square-foot sports arena used for worship services.
In all, LifeBridge plans to build three cathedrals over the next 50 years. Developers say the area will eventually employ 2,000 people and generate $200,000 annually in revenue for the city.
But the City Council wants staff members to further clarify what in the project is exempt from taxation because of its religious affiliation. The annexation vote is set for Aug. 14.
Some residents Tuesday night claimed at a public hearing that the church is taking advantage of its tax-exempt status – something not available to other commercial developers. The sheer size of the development is also causing concern.
“I believe very strongly this proposal should be left to the vote of the people because this will change this community for years to come,” said resident Duane Leise.
The proposal has won preliminary approval from most council members. But they also pushed the city to determine exactly what parts of the development would be tax exempt.
Planners said last week that much of the development – except for church worship centers, a fellowship hall, classrooms and offices – should be taxed and included in the city’s annexation agreement with the church.
Church member and developer Dale Bruns said the new annexation agreement would force the church to develop most of its campus outside of Longmont in neighboring Weld County.
“… We have very serious concerns regarding the legal and practical consequences of attempting to implement it (the annexation agreement),” Bruns said in a letter to the city. “The administration and enforcement of such a program will be a quagmire of logistical and legal unknowns.”
Bruns also points out that three of the top six employers in Longmont are tax exempt – St. Vrain Valley School District, Longmont United Hospital and the city of Longmont. Tax-exempt status, he adds, does not mean a lack of positive fiscal impact for the city.
Others have complained the project is getting too many breaks in other areas, including height exemptions on church steeples.
There is also a fear that the development will be a separate entity and not be part of the fabric of Longmont.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
