First Lutheran Entry Way Addition

At a glance

• What: Report of Acceptability (HIST-26-0003) for a 2,795 square foot entry way addition to First Lutheran Church, 1515 North Cascade Avenue, in the North End Historic District overlay (Council District 5).
• Outcome: Approved 4-0 by the Historic Preservation Board on May 5, 2026, with three members absent.
• Key point: The design follows the original 1966 mid-century modern portion rather than the later 1979 and 1993 additions; the bell tower will be removed.

Detail

• William Gray, Senior Planner, described the church's phased development since 1959, called it an intrusion in a district defined by 19th and early 20th century residential architecture, and said staff found the west elevation addition compatible in materials, stained-glass windows, scale and neighborhood character. The applicants intend to keep the large front yard and tree-lined street and protect existing landscaping.
• Bruce Smith, speaking for the applicant, said the church studied designs for more than a year. Features: matching low-slope roof wings, a central form defining the sanctuary, cast-in-place concrete canopy elements, broad overhangs, limited glazing, red brick to match, and one centralized entry replacing several entrances. The goal is a larger narthex and better circulation, with a stairway and elevator, and no added seating.
• Neighbors who spoke asked about purpose, duration (10 to 12 months, originally 14), parking (all spaces kept during weekday construction), height (single-story entry with a small second-floor component; the old entry becomes a one-and-one-half-story gathering space), reach toward the street (about 29 to 30 feet, leaving 34 feet of landscaping), the bell tower (removed; relocation not feasible) and landscaping (roses and more trees). One neighbor called parking concerns minor but raised them for neighbors who could not attend.
• Acting Chair Musick asked about the church's use of bell tower imagery on its van; Smith said imagery would be updated with a new cross form in colored or stained glass at the entry. Fitzsimmons praised keeping the original mid-century modern character.
• The scheduled meeting date was confused by an error in posted materials; staff thanked the applicants for accommodating it.

Votes

• May 5, 2026: moved by Hines, seconded by Baumgartner, to approve based on the finding that the Section 7.5.528 criteria for a Report of Acceptability are met. Passed 4-0 (Musick, Baumgartner, Hines, Fitzsimmons). Absent: Lowenberg, Beerbaum, Potter.

Sources

• Historic Preservation Board minutes, May 5, 2026: https://legistar2.granicus.com/coloradosprings/meetings/2026/5/2819_M_Historic_Preservation_Board_26-05-05_Meeting_Minutes.pdf (item 8.A; attachments: staff report, site plan, photos, context map, public comment, project statement, elevations).

Log

2026-05-05 - Historic Preservation Board

New Business item 8.A; staff and applicant presentations, public questions, approved 4-0.