Woodmen Valley Chapel Coffee Shop Use Variance

At a glance

• What: A use variance allowing a restaurant use (coffee shop) in the R-5 (Multi-Family High) zone on about 0.91 acres at 16 E. Platte Avenue (Council District 3), for Woodmen Valley Chapel.
• Outcome: Approved 9-0 on September 8, 2026. No public comments.
• Timeline: The applicant expects the coffee shop to open in early spring 2027.

Detail

• Ryan Tefertiller, Urban Planning Manager, presented the application, site plan, review criteria and optional motions.
• Leinweber disclosed that he attends Woodmen Valley Chapel but receives no financial benefit.
• Henjum asked whether the variance opens the door to housing above the shop (R-5 already permits residential) and whether it transfers if the property is sold (yes, it runs with the land).
• Casey asked why the Downtown Review Board did not see it; Tefertiller said the property is outside the form-based zone.
• Mike Maylin, Chief Financial Officer of Woodmen Valley Chapel, presented for the applicant.
• Motion by Henjum, seconded by Donelson, on the finding that the request meets the use variance criteria in City Code Section 7.5.527.

Sources

• City Council minutes, September 8, 2026: https://legistar2.granicus.com/coloradosprings/meetings/2026/9/2798_M_City_Council_26-09-08_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
• Staff report for UVAR-26-0004, site plan, project statement, parking agreement and Planning Commission excerpt (attachments).

City Planning Commission (August 12, 2026)

• The Commission recommended approval to City Council 8-1 on a motion by Willoughby, seconded by Clements, on the finding that the request meets section 7.5.527. Cecil voted no, arguing the criteria were not met (no exceptional hardship shown; an accessory use or rezoning seemed more suitable).
• Ethan Shafer explained staff treated the shop as a principal use, not an accessory use, because it has a public storefront and could operate independent of the church; a use variance stays valid indefinitely once implemented and expires after one year if no building permit is issued (one-year extension possible). Kevin Walker called it a close decision. Applicant side: Malin (spelled Malin in these minutes), Jonathan Whitaker (31 on-site spaces plus a Sunday parking agreement with Young Life) and Grace Harris of Hold Fast Coffee Co., a tenant that keeps all income. No public comment. Chair Hensler supported it because rezoning from R-5 to a commercial district would have broader impacts.

Log

2026-09-08 - City Council

Public hearing; use variance approved 9-0.

2026-08-12 - City Planning Commission

Recommended for approval 8-1 (Cecil no).

2026-08-06 - City Planning Commission Work Session

Previewed by Ethan Shafer and Ryan Tefertiller: about 1,600 square feet near the north parking lot, ADA ramp, small patio and minor storefront changes; no public comments; Cecil asked about hours (not yet provided); the site is adjacent to the form-based zone, where the Downtown Review Board would otherwise review it; Chair Hensler asked for a comparison with uses allowed in that zone.