LONGMONT — A Weld County judge waded into border wars between Longmont and Firestone, striking down a controversial annexation and potentially reviving plans for a 350-acre church development near Union Reservoir.
Weld County District Judge Daniel Maus last week nullified Longmont’s annexation of land along the St. Vrain River and Colorado 119 — where the church development is planned.
Longmont annexed the land to prevent the Weld County town of Firestone from developing up to Longmont’s eastern city limits.
The area included property that LifeBridge Christian Church planned to develop as its Union community, with a new church campus, housing and commercial buildings.
Longmont said it wanted to maintain a buffer on its eastern borders to remain a “standalone” city. But backers of the Union development said the city wanted to block construction of the church project as well as the 74-acre Firelight Park at Fairview Street.
Maus said in his ruling that Longmont “exceeded its jurisdiction and abused its discretion” by annexing the land near the river and along the highway.
The judge’s ruling, however, apparently allows Longmont to annex about 140 acres of city-owned open space and parts of Weld County Road 26.
Longmont officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
Martin Dickey, spokesman for LifeBridge Christian Church’s development arm, applauded the ruling, saying it will pave the way for the Union project.
“We are appreciative of the judge’s efforts to review the case and apply the law as it is written,” Dickey said. “We are still open to working with Longmont if a community separation is their genuine desire.”
Otherwise, Dickey said, he hopes the “political and individual issues” surrounding the development can be set aside.
The fight over the Union development ignited a bitter war of words and litigation between Longmont and Firestone. Longmont originally voted to annex the parcel, but a citizen-initiated petition campaign against the idea prompted LifeBridge officials to cancel their plans with the city.
Opponents said they were concerned the development was getting too many tax breaks because it was church-sponsored.
Last year, Firestone voters approved the annexation of the Union parcel by a wide margin. Annexation backers said they wanted to control development along the Colorado 119 corridor and annexing Union would help accomplish that goal.
Firestone Mayor Chad Auer said an appeal of the judge’s decision is possible. Still, he hopes the decision will allow Firestone a voice in local growth decisions.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
