"Save the Loop" is a C.A.R.E. JEFFCO Initiative


Save The Loop, Save Our Lookout Mountain Neighborhood

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The Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway is once again threatened by inappropriate development. This website is a gathering place for those who want to keep up-to-date on what's happening, and what you can do.  
 
On June 9th, 2011, an application (case #11-110479SU) was submitted for the expansion of the Activation Ministry International Center located at 166 South Lookout Mountain Road (see map below -- the Center is indicated by the red balloon).   This facility was built during the 1990s, a time when churches could be erected under residential zoning codes. Current zoning (SR-5) would not allow it to be built in this area today. Activation Ministry International has applied for a Special Use permit so that they might be allowed this use.  In and of itself -- the right to rebuild should something happen to the existing building -- would not be an issue, except they have also applied for a proposed expansion of 30,000 square feet with an indeterminate number of additional parking spaces.  In effect, they would be increasing their size by a factor of 3.3, establishing a mega-church in this very special area, complete with an event center (The Lookout Mountain Wedding Chapel), expansive parking facilities, greatly increased crowds, traffic and noise, and complete lack of sensitivity to the characteristics that make the Lariat Loop and our Lookout Mountain community so very special.

To give you some sense of scope regarding the eventual size of this expansion, the Lookout Mountain Community Church, which is located on the south side of I-70 at the Buffalo Herd Overlook exit (24887 Genesee Trail Road, Golden) is estimated at 50,000 square feet, and has 130 parking spaces for their congregation/public parking. The Activation Ministry International Center doesn't have marked parking spots, only paved and unpaved open parking areas.  Estimating roughly, the parking lots at the Lookout Mountain Community Church are 2/3 the size of the expanded parking area proposed by the Activation Ministry International.

Read about the
History of Lookout Mountain 

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Buffalo Bill's Grave

There is NO deadline on public
 comment or input!  Keep the letters
and petitions coming!


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View Images of the AMI Proposed Expansion
We need YOU to make your voice heard on this issue.   Please write the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners and the Planning & Zoning Commission and encourage them to enforce the current zoning restrictions which would prevent an expansion of the Activation Ministry International Center.  Check out the list of talking points on our Write a Letter page. Please use the resources provided by this site to inform yourself about this proposal and to share your views with the County. The Lariat Loop National Scenic & Historic Byway must be protected, and it can’t be done without your help.
Email JeffCo Planning & Zoning Case Manager, Josh Drexler, 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.
Copy John Wolforth, Director, Planning & Zoning, JWolfort@co.jefferson.co.us, same mailing address. Reference Case# 11-110497SU.  Thank you.



Register your neighborhood & homeowners' association:
 click here

Location Map:

Why "Save The Loop"

We are NOT opposed to the current facility; however, we ARE opposed to the huge expansion and effective change of zoning that could alter the ambiance and history of our mountain community forever.

View Images of the AMI Proposed Expansion

View more images of the AMI Proposed Expansion

Write a Letter to the Planning & Zoning Case Manager & Director

JeffCo Planning & Zoning Case #11-110479SU

Case Manager, Josh Drexler, JDrexler@jeffco.us, Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Division, 100 Jefferson County Parkway Suite 3550, Golden CO 80419-3550.

Copy John Wolforth, Director, Planning & Zoning, JWolfort@co.jefferson.co.us, Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Division, 100 Jefferson County Parkway Suite 3550, Golden CO 80419-3550.
 

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
& Stay Involved!

Get involved by making a direct contribution to
 C.A.R.E. ... click to read more. 
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(click to view cartoon)
"Buy 15 minutes of legal defense, contribute $57.50 to C.A.R.E., and we'll send you an 8.5x10 inch, full-color, laminated copy of our fabulous cartoon, which you can proudly display on your refrigerator door!
Stay involved by contributing time and in-kind labor. We currently have a need for people to help with Marketing, Fund-raising, & Event planning, & information Distribution:
 How to Get Involved

Last Updated: Feb. 23, 2012

                      Announcements                       
 
Concerned Lookout Mountain Residents
COMMUNITY MEETING
Help Fight the AMI Expansion
Crystal Rose
THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 2012
7:00 pm
Refreshments Provided
PUBLIC HEARING
Final Decision on AMI Expansion Request
Board of County Commissioners
Jefferson County Court House
1st Floor Hearing Room (at the Taj)
TUESDAY, FEB. 28, 2012
starts at 8:00 am
LAST CHANCE TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS!
No time donations will be accepted. All individuals will be permitted 3 minutes to speak. Registered HOAs and NAs will be permitted 10 minutes each. Even if you will not be speaking, your attendance is still important to show community presence and opposition!


PUBLIC HEARINGS have been scheduled
 for Feb. 1 & Feb. 28, 2012!
Read the CARE Alert

Read the "Response to the 2nd Submittal" on the
 Case Documents page.

Missed the Lookout Mountain
Community Town Hall Meeting on Dec. 14?

Visit our page:
INFORMATION CENTER

Learn about the proposed expansion of the Activation Ministries International Center at 166 S. Lookout Mountain Road. View the CARE "Save the Loop, 100 Years of Preservation" slide show presentation and the information station displays including Traffic Impacts, Property Values, and Community Character. Print a copy of the "Save the Loop Flyer" and "Petition" to distribute, and use the Donation slip to contribute to the Legal Fund. A Contact Form is provided so that you can join the discussion, voice your concerns, or ask questions: Community Information Center


    Contact Form

"Controversial plan to rezone and expand church" - City & Mountain Views, Winter Edition

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Read the article on the AMI Expansion & the Nov. 2, 2011 AMI Community Meeting!

Click to get your own copy of City & Mountain Views ... http://www.citymtnviews.com/

 LETTERS NEEDED

There is NO deadline on public comment or input! Keep the letters and petitions coming!

 Read the
Foothills Fire Protection District (FFPD)
 Letter to JeffCo P&Z
Nov. 16, 2011

FFPD Letter
"The District continues to have concerns regarding the impact the proposed expansion will have on traffic and congestion in the area. We have reviewed the comments submitted by Lanz and Associates, pertaining to our concerns. The District would like to expand on and provide some additional clarification about our concerns. ... click to read more.

AMI Files 2nd Submittal - Nov. 8, 2011

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Read the revised Special Use Permit (SUP), Written Restrictions, Response to Traffic Questions, and all other supporting documents online: Case Documents
Click to read
Current News About The Expansion
including:
A Report on the
 Nov. 2, 2011 AMI Community Meeting

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ED BEESLEY'S LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE CANYON COURIER (click here to read)

Read the community plan & more:

Read Excerpts from Real Letters

.  .  .  .  .

    Submit your email address to receive
     "Save the Loop" news:

"Lookout Mountain's Historical Character"
 by Sid Platt

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Sid Platt examines the Historical Character of Lookout Mountain, and how that character may be impacted by "strip development" by large commercial entities, drawing high levels of "bursty" population into the area.

"Save the Loop" is a C.A.R.E. JEFFCO Initiative
Contact: Contact Us (contact form) or Email us with your comments!