Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – November 21, 2023

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, council comments, public comments, consent calendar approval, two quasi-judicial hearings, three advertised public hearings, and an executive session for performance evaluations. All seven council members were present. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent calendar (7-0) which included the following items:

• Ordinance 2023-032: Fourth Amendment to the 2023 Fiscal Year Budget (second reading).
• Ordinance 2023-037: Adopting the 2023 National Electrical Code with amendments (second reading).
• Ordinance 2023-033: Annexation of 73.76 acres (Alexander Way) (second reading).
• Ordinance 2023-034: Initial zoning for Alexander Way and rezoning of 4.20 acres (second reading).
• Ordinance 2023-035: Annexation of 5.31 acres (Crowfoot Valley Road) (second reading).
• Ordinance 2023-036: Initial zoning for Crowfoot Valley Road (second reading).
• Resolution 2023-139: Waiving bidding and approving a contract with SaBell’s Civil and Landscape, LLC for Cobblestone Ranch Regional Park reconstruction.
• Resolution 2023-140: Spot water lease agreement between the Town of Castle Rock and Bow Mar.
• Minutes of the November 7, 2023 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Three residents spoke during Unscheduled Public Appearances opposing the proposed T-Mobile 5G cell tower at Bison Park:

• Jennifer Brezicha (resident) cited a National Association of Realtors study estimating a $17.4 million loss in property value for 346 homes within 1,500 feet of the proposed tower, averaging $50,000 per home. She urged the council to vote no.
• Chad Ozdemir (resident) expressed concerns about the tower’s proximity (150 feet from his home), potential health effects, and the lack of alternative sites considered. He also noted the tower’s array would be level with homes.
• Gianna Situs (resident) stated the tower would be 50–75 feet from her front door, criticized the lack of setback ordinances, and raised health concerns for children, referencing outdated FCC guidelines from 1996.

Council Comments & Direction

• Councilmember Hollingshead moved to postpone the T-Mobile cell site item from December 19 to January 16, 2024, to allow more public input. Motion passed 7-0.
• Councilmember Cavey moved to schedule a January discussion on pickleball court regulations, including hours of play for existing courts near homes and distance requirements for new courts. The motion also included staff analysis of mitigation options and vandalism issues. Motion passed 7-0.
• Councilmember Cavey also moved to place a discussion on the Cobblestone Ranch mill levy (10 mills vs. the standard 5 mills) on a January agenda, with potential step-downs over 4–5 years. Motion passed 7-0.
• Councilmember Bracken addressed a constituent’s concern about a car enthusiast group meeting at Lowe’s parking lot. Police Chief Cauley confirmed no criminal activity and that the group is being monitored.
• Mayor Gray made a motion to designate December 26 as a town holiday and a half-day on December 22; motion passed 7-0.

Quasi-Judicial Hearings

1. Ordinance 2023-038: Designation of Cantril School as a Local Historic Landmark – Brad Boland, Long Range Project Manager, presented the criteria. The Historic Preservation Board voted 6-0 to recommend approval. Council approved the ordinance on first reading (7-0).
2. Resolution 2023-141: Alexander Way Development Agreement – TJ Kucewesky, Assistant Director of Development Services, presented key elements: conveyance of groundwater rights, $500,000 in infrastructure, 31 acres of open space with a trail system, and contributions to intersection improvements. Council approved the resolution (7-0).

Advertised Public Hearings & Discussion Action Items

1. North Meadows Drive Traffic Calming Plan – Dan Sailer, Director of Public Works, presented data showing 85th percentile speeds of 30–35 mph on a 25 mph road. Staff recommended three raised speed cushions. Council approved the plan (7-0).
2. Foothills Drive Traffic Calming Request – Staff recommended no changes because the 85th percentile speed was 34 mph (compliant with the 35 mph limit), and the school zone (20 mph) had good compliance with rapid flashing beacons. Council took no action; a one-year freeze applies.
3. Wolfensberger Widening Project – Eminent Domain Authorization – Dan Sailer explained the project (widening to four lanes, adding sidewalks and bike lanes) is needed for future build-out. The town has successfully negotiated 260 parcels in 94 ownerships over 15 years, with only 6 condemnation cases filed. Council approved the ordinance on first reading (7-0) to allow condemnation if negotiations fail.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar (7-0).
• Approved Cantril School historic landmark designation (7-0).
• Approved Alexander Way Development Agreement (7-0).
• Approved North Meadows Drive traffic calming plan (7-0).
• Approved eminent domain authorization for Wolfensberger Widening (7-0).
• Postponed T-Mobile cell site discussion to January 16, 2024 (7-0).
• Scheduled January discussions on pickleball regulations and Cobblestone Ranch mill levy (7-0 each).
• Designated December 26 as a town holiday and half-day on December 22 (7-0).
• In executive session, council approved a 3.25% salary increase for the Town Manager (7-0) and a 2.75% increase for the Town Attorney (6-1, Councilmember Dietz opposed).