Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – May 20, 2025

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, appointments, a resolution supporting Douglas County's Home Rule initiative, extensive discussion and approvals related to the Brickyard urban renewal and sports development center, and the annexation and zoning of the 533.445-acre Pine Canyon property. The council also approved a site development plan for 256 single-family homes in Dawson Trails and updated the Castle Rock Water Chase Drain policy.

Consent Calendar

• ORD 2025-015 – Second reading of an ordinance amending the zone district map for 826 Park Street and 200 Wolfensberger Road Planned Development Plan and Zoning Regulations (previously approved 6-0 on first reading).
• RES 2025-046 – Approval of a Utilities Infrastructure Reimbursement Agreement for sanitary sewer service connection with Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
• MIN 2025-010 – Approval of the May 6, 2025 Town Council meeting minutes. All consent items were approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Rivoir (resident) asked for specific objectives of the county Home Rule initiative and where to find information. Council directed him to Douglas County’s website and the May 6 meeting recording (9 minutes 50 seconds in).
• Christine (resident) questioned the number of multifamily units in Dawson Trails (none in this phase) and the location of schools. Mayor Gray noted that of 13 dedicated school sites in Castle Rock, only one had the land returned to the developer.
• Steve Snodgrass (resident) presented a document (Exhibit A) arguing that the Pine Canyon development should be reduced in size. He cited staff memos from 2024 expressing concerns about impacts and noted that a comprehensive traffic study and pipeline setback analysis are incomplete.
• Randy Reed (resident, representing the Woodlands HOA) requested a new 2025 traffic study, questioned the water supply (stating the project is water-short by over 200 acre-feet), and urged the council to require a lower density (originally 1,200 units, now 1,800).

Discussion Items

• Proclamations – Mayor Gray read proclamations for National Public Works Week (May 18–24, 2025) and Ducky Derby Month (June 2025).
• Appointments to Boards and Commissions – Councilmember Dietz emphasized the importance of attendance. The council approved the appointments as presented (6-0).
• Resolution in Support of Douglas County Home Rule Initiative (RES 2025-060) – Councilmembers Brooks and Dietz spoke in favor of local control. Town Attorney Hyman reported that a district court had denied a preliminary injunction against the home rule election, allowing voters to decide. The resolution passed 6-0.
• Chase Drain Policy Update (ID 2025-063) – Mark Marlowe, Director of Castle Rock Water, explained that chase drains are only effective for dry-weather water issues, not for ice/snow. The current program covers 100% of costs (approx. $4,500 each), but staff proposed a new $1,500 fee for homeowners who want immediate installation (town still covers $3,000). Councilmembers noted the need to clearly communicate limitations, especially for north-facing yards. No vote was taken; the update was for information.
• Brickyard and Sports Development Center Process (ID 2025-066) – Town Manager David Corliss and developer Tony DeSimone (Confluence Companies) provided an overview. Key points: The 31.1-acre former ACME Brick site will include up to 466 residential units (reduced from 583), a 125-room hotel, a 45–60 lane bowling alley, retail/restaurant space, and a 145,000 sq. ft. sports and recreation center. The town will finance the recreation center via certificates of participation (~$75 million). Tax increment financing (TIF) from five taxing entities (Town, County, School District, Library, Cemetery) will fund $31 million in public infrastructure. A trail connection from downtown to the Miller Activity Complex is part of the project.

Key Outcomes

• URA Meeting (Castle Rock Urban Renewal Authority)
  • Approved minutes of October 15, 2024 (6-0).
  • Approved resolution designating a public place for posting meeting notices (6-0).
  • Approved resolution authorizing tax increment revenue agreements with each taxing entity (6-0). Note: Minutes state “failed” but roll call was unanimous and the chair declared passage; the transcript confirms approval.
• RES 2025-061 – Approved the Tax Increment Revenue Agreement between the Town and the URA for the Brickyard plan (6-0).
• RES 2025-019 – Approved the Brickyard Urban Renewal Plan, finding the area blighted, and amending the URA board composition to add four positions (county, school district, special district, mayoral appointee) (6-0).
• ORD 2025-018 (First Reading) – Approved the Public Finance Agreement among the Town, CD-ACME LLC, Brickyard Metropolitan District No. 1, and the URA (6-0).
• ORD 2025-019 (First Reading) – Approved a sales tax credit of 2.4% (60% of the town’s 4% sales tax) within the Brickyard, offset by a public improvement fee, through 2050 (6-0).
• RES 2025-062 – Approved a site development plan for 256 single-family homes (on 53.27 acres) in Dawson Trails Filing No. 2, Tracts O and H, located south of Territorial Road and west of Dawson Trails Boulevard (6-0). The plan includes a neighborhood park and trail connections.
• Pine Canyon Annexation and Zoning (Three Ordinances)
  • ORD 2025-016 (First Reading) – Approved annexation of 533.445 acres (JRW Family Limited Partnership) located on both sides of I-25 (7-0, with Councilmember Hollingshead joining at 9 PM).
  • ORD 2025-017 (First Reading) – Approved initial zoning as a Planned Development with up to 1,800 units (800 single-family, 1,000 multifamily/attached), 600,000 sq. ft. of business/light industrial, a resort spa, and 33% open space. Viewplane protections and no over-lot grading in forested areas were included (7-0).
  • ORD 2025-020 (First Reading) – Approved the Annexation and Vested Property Rights Development Agreement, vesting site-specific development plans through December 31, 2050. Key provisions: dedication of ~757 acre-feet of groundwater to the town, a 10-year clock for school site dedication, developer-funded traffic improvements, and a requirement to update traffic studies at each site development plan (7-0).

Additional Notes

• The meeting was extended past 9:30 PM to complete the Pine Canyon items.
• Councilmembers expressed mixed feelings about the Pine Canyon approval, noting the difficulty of the decision but citing benefits of town control over infrastructure, water, and traffic.
• The town attorney reported on state-level litigation: a district court ruled in favor of the county on home rule; Governor Polis vetoed HB 1147 (municipal court sentencing) but issued an executive order tying state grants to compliance with housing bills; six cities filed suit against the state over transit-oriented development and parking mandates.