Public Meetings - Castle Rock, Colorado

The Castle Rock Town Council held a hybrid meeting on August 16, 2022, at 6:00 PM at Town Hall. The meeting included council comments, consent calendar approvals, advertised public hearings, and quasi-judicial hearings regarding the Dawson Trails development. Key actions included unanimous approval of the election coordination, the Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative MOU, and the Dawson Trails Planned Development Plan and Development Agreement. The meeting extended until 9:56 PM. Consent Calendar - Approved 14 items unanimously (6-0, with Councilmember Cavey abstaining on Resolution 2022-087 due to her employment with Verizon). Items included ordinance amendments for bid requirements (ORD 2022-015) and budget appropriations (ORD 2022-014), plus resolutions for sole-source waivers, construction contracts, water infrastructure, and software agreements. Public Comments & Testimony - Unscheduled Public Appearances: None. - Advertised Public Hearings: - No public comment on the election coordination (ORD 2022-016) or the economic development collaborative (RES 2022-094). - Quasi-Judicial Hearings (Dawson Trails): - Rory Hodgson (resident) opposed, fearing loss of town character and projecting traffic model inaccuracies. - Clark Hammelman (resident) supported, urging approval to finally realize the Crystal Valley Interchange. - Kevin McHugh (Castle Rock Chamber) supported, citing job creation, traffic relief, and responsible growth. - Diane Evans (resident, adjacent property owner) supported, noting the interchange necessity and revenue benefits. - Lesli Fritts (Tomah Road resident) opposed, raising concerns about emergency evacuation capacity and water well impacts; requested four-lane southern road and water hookups for neighbors. - Frank Gray (Castle Rock Economic Development CEO) supported, highlighting 30-year planning, interchange funding partnership, and $50 million developer contribution. - Peter Smith (Keene Ranch resident) opposed, arguing rapid growth leads to congestion and crime; suggested polling residents on growth limits. - Katrina Jennings (Twin Oaks HOA president) supported with conditions, noting developer concessions on setbacks, buffers, and traffic mitigations. - Online comments: Cameron McClellan (Twin Oaks) supported; DR Britton (Oaks at Plum Creek) supported; Quinn Hull (Castle Rock) supported but desired more density; Amy O’Brien (on behalf of realtor) supported; David Martin (30-year resident) opposed, citing eroding quality of life; Taylor supported. Discussion Items - ORD 2022-016 (Election Coordination): Town Clerk Lisa Anderson presented the IGA with Douglas County for the November 8, 2022 municipal election (Mayor at-large, Districts 3 and 5). Emergency adoption on first and final reading was required due to a late IGA receipt. Council approved unanimously. - RES 2022-094 (Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative): Frank Gray introduced the MOU to formalize inter-jurisdictional economic development coordination. No financial obligation for the town. Councilmember Cavey confirmed no funding commitment. Council approved unanimously. - Dawson Trails (ORD 2022-017 and 2022-018): - Staff Presentation (Tara Vargish): Outlined the project—2,064 acres west of I-25, reducing density from 7,900 to 5,850 units (26% decrease), commercial from 20M+ sf to 3.2M sf (82% decrease), open space increase to 748 acres (202% increase), and 228 acres public land. Key obligations: $50M toward Crystal Valley Interchange, 5 mills regional mill levy remitted to town, water efficiency plan (no turf in front yards, 500 sf max in backyards, no commercial irrigated turf), fire station land and $4M contribution, 30-year vested rights with 10-year extension possible, and commitments to build northern and southern frontage roads. Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval with two recommendations (work with county on southern road safety/egress, and water department coordination with neighboring communities). - Town Manager David Corliss: Emphasized the Crystal Valley Interchange as top infrastructure priority, with $118M estimated cost, funding from town ($25M), county ($25M), developer ($50M), and federal grants ($5M). Discussed Costco incentive: $10M from town’s economic development fund and sales tax sharing (estimated $4-6M new annual revenue) to support police and fire budgets. - Applicant Presentation (Larry Jacobson, Jake Schroeder, Mitch Black): Highlighted community outreach (5+ meetings), ridge preservation, 25 miles of trails, wildlife-friendly fencing, and compliance with town master plans. They confirmed no intention to seek variances for ridgeline areas and accepted the town's ability to require future transportation improvements. - Traffic Consultant (Steve Tuttle): Defended trip distribution assumptions (8% of Dawson Trails traffic to downtown via Wilcox/Perry) and noted the Crystal Valley Interchange will relieve Plum Creek/Parkway congestion. Addressed level-of-service concerns (intersection may operate at LOS E in peak 2040, but queues clear within one cycle). Key Outcomes - ORD 2022-016 approved unanimously (6-0) on emergency first and final reading. - RES 2022-094 approved unanimously (7-0). - ORD 2022-017 (Dawson Trails PDP and Zoning) approved on first reading by a vote of 7-0. - ORD 2022-018 (Dawson Trails Development Agreement) approved on first reading by a vote of 7-0. - Council consensus to place both Dawson Trails ordinances on the Consent Calendar for the September 6, 2022 meeting. - Meeting extended to 10:00 PM and adjourned at 9:56 PM.

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation and condolences for a recent community tragedy. Key actions included approval of employee compensation adjustments, a $19.1 million budget amendment, updates on drought conditions and wireless facilities, and several infrastructure project contracts. All votes were unanimous (7-0). Consent Calendar - Resolution 2022-075: Assigning the Town's 2022 Private Activity Bond Volume Cap to the Douglas County Housing Partnership. - Resolution 2022-076: Approving purchase of 2,500 tons of Ice Slicer from Envirotech Services, Inc. - Resolution 2022-077: Approving a construction contract with 53 Corporation, LLC for the Covy Court Stormwater Improvements Project. - Minutes 2022-013: Approving minutes from June 21, 2022, and July 5, 2022 meetings. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered comment on any agenda item. Discussion Items - Wireless Communication Facilities Update (ID 2022-077): Matt Gohl reported that the Town has 19 wireless facilities, 3 master agreements in place, and 18 applications in process. Since 2017, 45 applications have been received, with only 1 denied. The Town cannot dictate tower locations; HOA decisions are key. Councilmember Cavey (Verizon employee) noted HOA involvement is critical. - Drought Status Update (ID 2022-078): Mark Marlowe reported the Water Supply Index is hovering around 1.1, triggering consideration of a Stage 1 Drought Advisory asking for voluntary 10% reductions. Plum Creek flows are significantly below normal. Councilmember Johnson highlighted grim outlooks from a recent state task force, comparing to droughts of 2002-2003 and 2012-2013. Council voted to delegate authority to the Water Director to issue a Stage 1 Advisory if triggers are met. - Calendar Reminders (ID 2022-079): Upcoming events include National Night Out (Aug 2), Candidate Orientation (Aug 8), and neighborhood meetings. - Development Services Project Updates (ID 2022-081): Tara Vargish presented pre-applications (ADU on Senter Drive, 99-unit multifamily in Meadows Town Center, fueling station at Walmart) and active applications: Castle View Senior (200 units, 55+, 60% AMI, rent $1,200-$1,600/month); Meadows Town Center (85 units mixed-use); Affinity Senior (174 units); Plum Creek residential lots. Town Manager noted a fee waiver request for Castle View Senior will come to Council later. - Employee Compensation, Retention and Recruitment (DIR 2022-015): Town Manager David Corliss recommended a mid-year market adjustment of $1/hour or 3% (whichever higher) plus a $250 stipend for entry-level positions under $70,000, retroactive to July 9. He cited inflation, difficulty attracting/retaining staff, and competitor actions (Douglas County 4% + stipend, Parker 2%, Parker Water & Sanitation $3/hour). Councilmember Cavey raised recession risk; Corliss said budget is conservative and adjustments could be made if needed. - Second Amendment to 2022 Budget (ORD 2022-014, First Reading): Finance Director Trish Muller presented a $19,128,116 increase offset by $20M in revenue, including TABOR surplus allocation ($8.5M general fund, $500K fire capital, $5.64M transportation) used for Fire Station 156 ($6M), police basement renovation ($2M), road construction ($5.64M), fire mitigation ($1M). Employee compensation for 6 months totals $1,613,359. Other items: Bell Mountain Infrastructure, sewer assessment, golf course carpet/turf, fire records system. - Bid Requirements Amendment (ORD 2022-015, First Reading): Proposed raising Town Manager sole-source authority from $75,000 to $250,000 for goods/services, consistent with existing purchase authority. Council discussed emergency definitions and non-responsive bidders; concerns addressed by Corliss. - 2022 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan (RES 2022-078): $235,000 in CDBG funds allocated to senior meal delivery (approx. 500 meals served since March, $9K), ADA improvements at Butterfield Park restroom ($150K), and admin costs. Public open house had no attendees; no public comments received in 30-day period. - Wolfensberger Widening Design Contract (RES 2022-079): Service agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group for design of widening Wolfensberger Road to 4 lanes with bike lanes, pedestrian access, and roundabout at Red Hawk Drive. Budget $2.5M; bid under budget. Councilmember Johnson disclosed her husband works for Jacobs but stated no conflict. - Four Corners Intersection Improvement Contract (RES 2022-080): Service agreement with RockSol Consulting Group for construction management of improvements at Founders Parkway/State Highway 86/Fifth Street/Ridge Road. 80% federally funded, 20% local match. Budget $757,000; completion summer 2023. - 2022 Bridge Rehabilitation Contract (RES 2022-081): Contract with ABCO Contracting for repairs to South Wilcox Street over East Plum Creek and Plum Creek Parkway over Union Pacific Railroad. Budget $800,000; bid came in $425,000 under. Work August-October 2022. - Nighttime Construction Variance (RES 2022-082): Request to vary noise ordinance for night work on Craig and Gould North Infrastructure Improvements: 4 days of 24-hour jack-and-bore at railroad, and up to 3 weeks of night trench excavation on 6th Street to minimize business disruption. Project 30% complete, $7.6M budget. Hotel accommodations offered to affected residents (25). Key Outcomes - Drought Authority: Council unanimously delegated authority to the Castle Rock Water Director to issue a Stage 1 Drought Advisory between meetings if the Water Supply Index drops below 1.1 and other triggers are met. - Employee Compensation Adjustment: Council unanimously directed staff to implement market adjustment ($1/hour or 3%, whichever higher) plus a $250 stipend for employees under $70,000, effective July 9, 2022. - Budget Amendment (First Reading): Ordinance 2022-014 approved unanimously on first reading. - Bid Requirements Change (First Reading): Ordinance 2022-015 approved unanimously on first reading. - CDBG Annual Action Plan: Resolution 2022-078 approved unanimously; plan to be submitted to HUD by August 16, 2022. - Wolfensberger Widening Contract: Resolution 2022-079 approved unanimously. - Four Corners Construction Management Contract: Resolution 2022-080 approved unanimously. - Bridge Rehabilitation Contract: Resolution 2022-081 approved unanimously. - Nighttime Construction Variance: Resolution 2022-082 approved unanimously. - Meeting Adjourned: 7:56 PM.