Copy and modify the letter below -- make it your own.  Speak from the heart, tell your story.  Email to the JeffCo Planning & Zoning Case Manager, Josh Drexler, at JDrexler@jeffco.us, or write Josh a letter, and mail it to Josh Drexler, Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Division, 100 Jefferson County Parkway Suite 3550, Golden CO 80419-3550, and copy John Wolforth, Director, Planning & Zoning, JWolfort@co.jefferson.co.us, same mailing address.  Thank you for your support.

Dear Mr. Drexler:

This letter is to voice my strong opposition  to the Special Use Application by Activation Ministries International at 166 South Lookout Mountain Road, Case #11-110479SU.  I am a resident of __ (insert your street address here) __, Golden, Colorado.  We live in the __ (insert your HOA or Neighborhood Association name here) __ neighborhood which is located just North/South/East/West (choose one) of the Church property.    We chose to live in this neighborhood  because of its semi-rural setting and the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding countryside.  The Activation Ministry Center expansion is inconsistent with the residential nature of our neighborhood and that of  the surrounding area.  The traffic and noise generated by the current facility is excessive on many occasions; in the interests of being "good neighbors" no one has complained, hoping that the situation will resolve itself somehow. 

The proposed expansion of this facility will create an incredible strain on the existing infrastructure.  It will greatly increase traffic on Lookout Mountain Road and Charros & Paradise Roads -- these are not adequately designed for heavy traffic. A facility of the size and type contemplated by AMI would also greatly increase the amount of noise and light pollution in our neighborhood, which will have a negative impact on the quality of life for humans and wildlife.  The herds of elk and deer, and the smaller animals who use the spring and ponds located at the southern end of the AMI property, will face significant danger as they attempt to navigate Lookout Mountain Road, which crosses their daily migration path.  Our emergency response teams (fire, ambulence, law enforcement) will find that they're facing gridlock, as the volunteer responders attempt to get to their stations for deployment, and then try to hurry to the scene of the emergency. 

AMI is located in a scenic corridor and a recommended Open Space Priority Area, according to the Central Mountains Community Plan (CMCP), page 25, map on page 71. On page 25 of the CMCP, it states that "The developed area from Exits 256-254 should be carefully managed to protect visual buffer zones and the communities there."  Furthermore,  on page 26 it states that "There should be no further development in the four Open Space Priority Areas which would adversely impact their natural
character or appearance."  It goes on to say that "There should be no further commercial development in the Priority Areas, except for designated Neighborhood Centers, discussed in the Commercial & Office Development section."  In the Commercial & Office Development Section, page 47, "Designated neighborhood centers are:
• U.S. 40 and Lookout Mountain Road
• Lookout Mountain Road in the vicinity of Buffalo Bill’s Grave"

In Summary, the proposed expansion of the AMI Center is completely inappropriate for our  residential community.  It violates the guidelines set forth in the Central Mountains Community Plan; it will negatively affect our mountain/rural lifestyle and our investment in our homes; it will imperil our quality of life, health, safety, and welfare.  Please keep me informed of all future meetings and discussions so that I may attend and voice my opposition to this inappropriate application.

Sincerely,

Name:

Address:

Telephone: