Castle Rock Town Council Meeting Summary - December 17, 2024
Castle Rock Town Council Meeting - December 17, 2024
The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Town Hall Council Chambers, 100 North Wilcox Street, beginning at 6:00 p.m.; the meeting adjourned at 10:43 p.m. Mayor Jason Gray presided; Mayor Pro Tem Laura Cavey and Councilmembers Ryan Hollingshead, Kevin Bracken, Mark Davis, Max Brooks, and Tim Dietz were present. The agenda included Council comments, a judicial proclamation, unscheduled public comment, Town Manager and Town Attorney reports, consent items, an immigration policy resolution, community grants, a Pine Canyon pre-annexation agreement, a natural medicine business ordinance, and quasi-judicial hearings.
Council Comments and Proclamation
- Councilmember Hollingshead asked that Council receive about 24 hours’ notice before votes are taken during Council comments, and several members agreed to make that a courtesy.
- Council voted 7-0 to give Town staff a full day off on Christmas Eve instead of a half day. Councilmember Bracken made the motion; Councilmember Hollingshead seconded.
- Council voted 7-0 to recognize the development and construction of Heroes Hall in Douglas County to serve military veterans. Councilmember Dietz made the motion; Mayor Pro Tem Cavey seconded.
- Mayor Gray presented a proclamation of commendation to Municipal Judge Louis A. Gresh, who served as Castle Rock Municipal Judge since March 1987, presided over roughly 100,000 cases, and retires January 1, 2025.
Unscheduled Public Appearances
- Angela Thomas, a resident, requested Councilmember Max Brooks’ resignation from Town Council, stating his House District 45 role conflicts with the nonpartisan council position; she also asked the Town to change notification distances from 500 feet to a half-mile and expressed disappointment that her email received no response.
- Mary Grothe introduced her new Sunday meal program, starting January 5 at The Park building, offering free healthy meals to neighbors in need, and requested support and donations.
Town Manager’s Report
- Parks and Recreation staff recognized Kate Neville, an 11th-grade student from Colorado Early Colleges, whose painting was selected for the Town’s 2024 holiday card.
- Council reviewed calendar reminders, liaison assignments to boards and commissions, and the 2025 Major Projects List, which includes implementing the new public safety sales tax effective January 1, 2025; adding 10 fire-rescue and 11 police positions; designing a new fire station on Castle Oaks Drive; completing the Crystal Valley/I-25 interchange by September 20, 2027; and doubling the water purification facility from 6 MGD to 12 MGD.
- On the process to appoint a new municipal judge, staff recommended an RFP and selection committee. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey said five years of attorney experience seemed too low; Mayor Gray explained that Wednesday court dates are coordinated with other municipalities; Councilmember Brooks requested that Council interview finalists. Council appointed Councilmember Dietz and Mayor Gray to lead the selection committee by a 7-0 vote.
- Development Services updates included pre-applications for a proposed QuikTrip, Mission Hills Church, Foss Swim School, and a Maher Ranch de-annexation request. Councilmember Cavey questioned the concentration of gas stations; staff confirmed the code does not restrict similar uses near each other.
Town Attorney’s Report
- Town Attorney Mike Hyman reported a Denver District Court decision rejecting the Independent Ethics Commission’s attempt to regulate home-rule municipalities that have adopted their own codes of conduct, calling it a victory for Castle Rock’s home-rule authority.
Consent Calendar
- Council approved 7-0 the Consent Calendar, including RES 2024-123, the First Amendment to the Rueter-Hess Drought Water Supply Pilot Plan Intergovernmental Agreement among Castle Rock Water Enterprise, Denver Water, Parker Water and Sanitation District, and East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District; and the December 3, 2024 draft minutes.
Immigration Policy Resolution (RES 2024-119)
- Public comment was divided. Amy Windju supported the resolution and asked for coordination with Castle Rock Police and updated crime statistics. Carolyn Upton, Greg Upton, John Whitson, Keith Novak, and Sheri Rich opposed the resolution, saying it was unnecessary, harmful to community character, and risked involving local police in immigration enforcement.
- Councilmember Hollingshead opposed the resolution, saying it was rushed and puts an unnecessary spotlight on law enforcement; he abstained. Mayor Gray acknowledged the resolution felt partisan but emphasized the word “illegal” and support for lawful immigration. Councilmember Brooks said the issue is legal versus illegal and supporting police to enforce the law. Councilmembers Dietz and Cavey cited public safety and upholding the Constitution. Councilmember Bracken said legal immigrant friends are upset by illegal immigration; Councilmember Davis said his construction employees are documented.
- The resolution passed 6-0 with one abstention. Yes: Gray, Cavey, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz. Abstain: Hollingshead. Motion by Brooks, seconded by Dietz.
Council Community Grant Program (DIR 2024-024)
- Finance Director Trish Muller presented 10 fourth-quarter applications. Twilight Wish Foundation withdrew, and Voyager Foundation was not present; Council directed staff to ask Voyager to reapply. Councilmember Cavey questioned how Voyager and Parkinson Association of the Rockies relate to Castle Rock; Jody Brown, CEO of Parkinson Association of the Rockies, described local classes and support groups.
- Council decided to award $1,000 to each of the eight remaining organizations, using available general fund budget. The motion passed 7-0. The minutes and transcript differ on the motion’s maker and seconder, but both record a 7-0 approval.
Pine Canyon Pre-Annexation Agreement (RES 2024-120)
- The agreement covers the approximately 535-acre JRW property on both sides of I-25 and would move the Pine Canyon development into Castle Rock instead of unincorporated Douglas County. Staff cited concerns about county development, including reliance on non-renewable groundwater and lack of town zoning, traffic, and open space requirements. The current plan includes about 800 single-family/attached homes, 1,000 multifamily units, and 600,000 square feet of non-residential space.
- Water staff said the development would dedicate 757 acre-feet of groundwater, and Castle Rock would reserve 1,220 acre-feet to meet the Town’s 1.1 acre-foot per home requirement, compared with a county standard as low as 0.27 acre-feet per home through appeals.
- Public comment: Laura Zumwalt said the proposal had not been reduced from the county version and raised metro district mill levy concerns; Dana Bonham preferred town control but asked for lower density; Tad Walden of Castle Pines Metro District said most concerns were addressed by Mark Marlowe.
- Council discussion included groundwater supply, height limits, road connectivity, and traffic level of service. The agreement includes target dates through annexation and zoning hearings around May 2025 and allows JRW to return to county applications if the town does not act in good faith by July 31, 2025.
- The resolution passed 7-0. Motion by Brooks, seconded by Hollingshead.
Natural Medicine Businesses Ordinance (ORD 2024-011)
- The ordinance, on first reading and continued from September 17, 2024, would restrict natural medicine businesses to light and general industrial zones, with 1,000-foot buffers from schools, residences, and childcare facilities, weekday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours, and operational and public safety requirements. A proposed amendment would have allowed an exemption for existing businesses interested in the state licensing process.
- Public comment included Susan MacAfee, a pharmacologist and toxicologist, urging the strictest limits; Amy Windju agreeing; Dr. Adam Graves of Colorado Natural Medicine urging support for the amendment to help veterans with PTSD; Dana Bonham opposing the amendment and urging strict limits; and Harry Young, Amanda Budimlya, Harold Griffin, and Rev. Richard Myers addressing risks and restrictions. Rev. Myers, a facilitator-in-training, said the medicine is not for everyone but can help some.
- Councilmember Dietz moved to adopt the ordinance as introduced without the existing-business amendment; Mayor Pro Tem Cavey seconded. Councilmember Brooks opposed the motion because he wanted to allow the two existing businesses to continue and did not want to extend the application window. Councilmember Davis voted no. The motion passed 5-2. Yes: Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Dietz. No: Davis, Brooks.
Quasi-Judicial Hearings
- RES 2024-121: Council approved 7-0 a Use by Special Review for a detached accessory dwelling unit at 295 Gordon Court. Property owner James McGue said it would house his daughter and grandchildren. Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0.
- RES 2024-122: Council voted 7-0 to continue the Dawson Trails Filing No. 2, Tract Q site development plan (55.98 acres) to January 7, 2025.
Adjournment
- The meeting adjourned at 10:43 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. I'd like to open with an invitation. Heavenly Father, we ask your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. We gather here today with the intent on doing good work. We seek to represent theirs fully and well who's given us this task. Help us engage in meaningful discussion, give us clarity and strength to your best skills and judgment. Please bless this community, residents, businesses, and visitors, and help us all continue doing good work in your name. Amen. Roll call, please. Councilmember Hollingshead here. Councilmember Bracken. Present. Councilmember Davis. Here. Councilmember Brooks. Present. Councilmember Deeds. Here. Mayor Pro Tem KV. Yes, here. Mayor Gray. Here. Haller present. Thank you. Please rise, Pledge of Leadance. I'd like legions. I mean, to the Republic for which it spans one nation. You know, I'll start out with council comments. You know, um first I just I want to thank everybody for uh attending. Um I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, happy new year. Um, you know, one of the things I I wanted to talk about is is again not only is this part of the year hard for some people and and families and individuals who have a tough time during the holidays or new year. Um, you know, so I want to make sure that that we just make sure we represent everybody. That there's uh I think there's uh sometimes contingent who believes that that town council only represents the ones who voted for them. Actually, I was told that by a uh elected official one time, it told me that he represented the per people who voted for them. And I was like, well, I I represent everybody, whether I agree with you or not. Um hopefully we I can respect your feelings and uh your opinions, um, and hopefully you can respect mine, and hopefully you you believe that I have the best interests in Castrock at heart. You know, uh regardless of what your religion religion may be, your affiliation, your race, I don't care what political party you're in, um LGBTQ plus uh area, um, wherever. I just want everyone to feel like they're accepted and loved in this community. It's really important to me. We talk about this a lot as far as how we kind of got away from that in recent years and and how we can't have civil discourse. You know, um, if you you turn on the TV and you hear somebody calling somebody an idiot or stupid or or a moron or whatever it is, and that is not something that I that I that I take part in. Um there are some times when I say that person that maybe doesn't have all the information. When somebody emails me, I get this email probably once twice a week, where someone emails me and says, Mayor, I don't think that open space should be should be developed on. And I have to email them back and say, Well, that is not open space. Doesn't matter what the parcel of land is. That was owned by so and so. They own that land. And they have paid taxes on that land for years and years and years, and it is not open space. And I'm sorry that it's it's hasn't been developed yet. So those kind of things were sometimes you know, our citizens maybe not have all have all the uh information, and sometimes they only take in part of the information.
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