Castle Rock Town Council Meeting - February 18, 2025

The Castle Rock Town Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:16 PM at Town Hall Council Chambers. The agenda included consent calendar items, public hearings, and discussion items covering a range of topics including traffic calming, public noticing for land use, a community survey, transit planning, annexation, and school site dedications. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by a 7-0 vote the following items without discussion:
  • ORD 2025-007 (Second Reading): Amending the zone district map for the Brickyard Planned Development.
  • ORD 2025-008 (Second Reading): Approving the Brickyard Development Agreement.
  • ORD 2025-009 (Second Reading): Amending municipal code regarding Design Review Board authority.
  • RES 2025-008: First amendment to construction contract with Global Underground Corp for Fifth Street Utilities Project.
  • RES 2025-009: Amendment to construction contract with Morton Electric, Inc. for Downtown Pedestrian Lighting Project.
  • RES 2025-010: Purchase agreement for one Fouts Fire FB94 custom pumper with three upfit items from Seawestern Emergency Vehicles.
  • RES 2025-011: Purchase of one M6SE-453 Schwarze street sweeper from O.J. Watson Equipment, Inc.
  • RES 2025-012: Waiving bidding and approving professional service agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group for Crystal Valley Interchange Package 2 design services.
  • RES 2025-013: Waiving bidding and approving services agreement with Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture for Castle Rock Sports Development Center construction administration.
  • RES 2025-014: Waiving bidding and approving equipment acquisition agreement with Trojan Technologies Corp for Plum Creek Water Purification Facility membrane filter replacement.
  • RES 2025-015: Waiving bidding and approving copier lease agreement with Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, Inc.
  • MIN 2025-004: Approval of minutes from February 4, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Snodgrass (resident, Woodlands): Expressed that current written notice distance (500 feet) is insufficient for large projects, citing Pine Canyon as an example. Noted that signage does not clearly state meeting purpose and QR codes are not user-friendly for older residents.
• Jackie Fuller (resident): Disappointed in council's apparent lack of interest in transit options. Emphasized safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists, and argued that public transportation can build community and reduce traffic.
• Zach Deegan (resident, high school teacher): Supported public transit to provide mobility options for students who cannot drive. Later spoke in favor of allowing public charter schools to use land designated for school sites, citing flexibility and timely educational access.
• No other public comments during other agenda items.

Discussion Items

• ORD 2025-004 (Second Reading): Emergency Vehicles and Large Vehicle Parking – Matt Gohl and Police Commander Galvan presented. The ordinance allows the town’s contracted towing provider to park in two designated town-owned spaces for on-call service. No public comment. Approved 7-0.
• DIR 2025-008: Castle Oaks Drive Traffic Calming Request – Dan Sailer (Public Works) presented staff recommendation of no action, as measured speeds (85th percentile 38 mph in a 35 mph zone) were under the threshold. Public Works Commission had unanimously recommended no action. Council approved the no-action plan 6-0 (Councilmember Brooks not present), with direction to explore educational signage and increased patrols.
• DIR 2025-009: Required Written Notice Distance for Land Use Applications – Tara Vargish (Development Services) presented options, noting 500 feet is current standard, while other jurisdictions vary (e.g., Fort Collins uses 1,000 feet for large projects). Public comment highlighted concerns. Council directed staff to develop a staggered outreach approach based on project size, with larger projects having greater notice distances (suggested cap at 1,500 feet) and consideration of emailing HOAs.
• DIR 2025-010: Draft 2025 Community Survey – Kristin Read (Assistant Town Manager) proposed changes including new questions on growth pace, downtown parking, water issues, and park amenities (including ice). Council approved proceeding with the survey as discussed. Vote 7-0.
• DIR 2025-011: Douglas County Integrated Transit and Multimodal Study – Zeke Lynch (Douglas County) presented sub-regional routes, microtransit, and circulator options. Councilmembers expressed concerns about funding and demand, with Councilmember Dietz stating lack of interest. Mayor Gray and Mayor Pro Tem Cavey wished to remain informed. Public comments supported transit. No formal action taken.
• RES 2025-016: Pine Canyon Annexation (Step 1 – Substantial Compliance) – Tara Vargish explained the state-required three-step process; this step only certifies completeness of petition and map. Approved 7-0, setting eligibility hearing for April 1, 2025.
• DIR 2025-012: Public Land Dedication for School Sites – Tara Vargish presented inventory of 13 future school sites (11 owned by town). One site (Crystal Valley Ranch) has a revert clause to developer after school district indicated non-use. Council directed staff to gather school district’s long-term plans and consider code amendments for time limits and alternative uses (including charter schools).
• RES 2025-019: Brickyard Urban Renewal Plan – Continued to April 15, 2025 (motion passed 7-0).
• RES 2025-017 and 2025-018: SCADA Master Plan and Phase V Design Contract – Mark Marlowe (Castle Rock Water) presented the updated 5-year plan ($19.5 million total) covering cybersecurity upgrades and control system replacements. RES 2025-017 (adopting master plan) approved 7-0. RES 2025-018 (services agreement with Burns & McDonnell for Phase V design) approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance amending emergency vehicle and large vehicle parking (ORD 2025-004) passed 7-0, allowing contracted tow company to use two designated spaces.
• Traffic calming on Castle Oaks Drive: Council approved no action (6-0) but directed educational signage and additional police patrols.
• Written notice distance: Council gave consensus to have staff return with staggered outreach options based on project size (small, medium, large), with larger projects potentially up to 1,500 feet, and inclusion of HOA email notifications.
• 2025 Community Survey: Approved to proceed with recommended changes.
• Pine Canyon Annexation: Substantial compliance resolution approved 7-0; eligibility hearing set for April 1, 2025.
• School site dedications: Council directed staff to consult with Douglas County School District on future plans for existing sites and to explore code amendments regarding timeframes and flexible uses (including charter schools).
• SCADA Master Plan and design contract: Both resolutions approved 7-0.
• Brickyard Urban Renewal Plan: Continued to April 15, 2025.
• Appointments: Dan Ahrens appointed to Design Review Board for a partial term ending May 31, 2025, by 7-0 vote.
• Proclamation: Council directed staff to prepare a proclamation for former Mayor Bill McDonald, passed 7-0.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM.