Castle Rock Town Council Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Castle Rock Town Council met on March 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Town Hall. The meeting included proclamations for two high school cheerleading teams, a quasi-judicial hearing for a 93-townhome development, and discussion/action on speed limits, impact fees, and capital projects. All votes were unanimous except for a speed limit change that passed 5-2.

Proclamations & Awards

• Castle View High School Coed Cheerleading Team: Proclamation congratulating the team on its third consecutive state championship and third-place national finish. Adopted by council action on March 24, 2026.
• Douglas County High School Varsity Girls Cheerleading Team: Proclamation for its state championship and ninth-place national finish. Approved on March 3, 2026, by a vote of 7-0, and presented at this meeting.

Unscheduled Public Appearances

• Tim Durbin (resident, 18 years in Castle Rock): Expressed concerns about increased traffic safety issues and lack of visible police enforcement, especially in Crystal Valley. Urged more aggressive traffic enforcement.

Town Manager's Report

• Calendar Reminders: Town Manager David Corliss highlighted upcoming events including topping out ceremony for the new Sports Center and fire station ground breaking on April 8.
• Legislative Update: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager, presented recommended positions on state legislation: support for three bills (noise permits for special events, metal products theft tools, wildfire resiliency code timeline) and opposition to a bill that would allow THC beverages in Castle Rock despite local prohibition. Council added opposition to HB 26-1308 (lot splitting) per Councilmember Brooks. Council voted 7-0 to affirm staff positions.
• Drought Response and Preparedness: Director of Castle Rock Water, Mark Marlowe, reported severe drought conditions with snowpack at 55% of normal and warmest February on record. Recommended planning for Stage 1 drought (voluntary 10% conservation) by May. Mayor Gray noted no public opposition to restrictions.
• Board and Commission Member Absence Provision: Town Manager clarified the new code (effective March 2026) removes excused absences; members with >26% absences in rolling 12 months are automatically removed. Councilmember Dietz stressed attendance expectations, effective prospectively from March 1.

Consent Calendar

Approved 7-0 as presented, including:

• Ordinances on Dawson Trails PD plan, Meadows Medical rezoning, adoption of 2025 Wildfire Resiliency Code, 2026 Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual, and canvasser regulations.
• Resolutions for agricultural lease with Sublette, Inc., spot water lease with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, SouthState Bank signatories, and construction contract amendment for Lost Canyon Ranch.
• Proclamations for Arbor Day and Water Conservation Month (both for future presentation).
• Minutes from March 3, 2026, meeting.

Quasi-Judicial Hearing: Bella Mesa South Site Development Plan

• Project: 93 townhomes (single-family attached) on 9.3 acres northwest of Mikelson Boulevard and Mitchell Street. Density is half the maximum allowed (186 units). Exceeds parking requirements with 2 spaces/unit plus 57 additional spaces. Three-story units, all with stairs; accessible parking provided but no one-story units.
• Public Comment: None.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Brooks (district) supported reduced density and better parking than previous rental proposal. Councilmember Davis was initially concerned about parking but satisfied with extra spaces. Councilmember Cavey noted previous rental project was abandoned by another developer. Staff (Dan Sailer) confirmed traffic study met standards and roundabout has been built.
• Decision: Motion to approve RES 2026-038 passed 7-0.

Advertised Public Hearings & Discussion Action Items

Council Community Grant Program (First Quarter 2026)

• Three Eligible Applicants:
  • Sunday Salmon: Serves ~20,000 meals/year; proposed Wednesday Wheels delivery program. Speaker Mary Gerthy requested grant funding.
  • Colorado Horsepower: 42-year-old organization helping veterans with equine therapy; all volunteer; needs funds for horse care.
  • SECOR (Food for Thought program): Serves Castle Rock schools and Douglas County via free food market.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Davis praised Sunday Salmon's growth. Councilmember Brooks admitted initial skepticism but expressed support after seeing impact. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey commended Horsepower.
• Decision: Motion to fund all three passed 7-0.

Crystal Valley Parkway Speed Limit Evaluation

• Staff Recommendation: Increase speed limit from 35 mph to 40 mph on the segment shown in purple (approximately 1 mile), keep 35 mph on other segment, based on speed data showing drivers typically travel 40 mph and no speed-related crash problem.
• Public Comment:
  • Tim Durbin: Drivers consistently exceed 55 mph; wants more enforcement and traffic calming on West Loop Road.
  • Ralland Walters (Plum Creek resident): Speeding is worsening, citing a recent pedestrian accident with broken back; opposed raising limit.
  • Susan MacAfee (Crystal Valley resident): Drivers go 5-10 mph over; raising to 40 mph will increase speeds to 45-55 mph; safety concerns with school buses; saving 8.5 seconds not worth risk.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Davis opposed raising, citing continued speeding. Councilmember Dietz initially preferred 35 but later supported 40 as a compromise (down from 45) with more enforcement. Councilmember Brooks and Hollingshead supported staff recommendation for consistency with driver behavior and upcoming roundabout/signal improvements. Councilmember Bracken supported staff recommendation. Mayor Gray noted engineering basis and ability to revisit.
• Decision: Motion to adopt staff recommendation (40/35 mph) passed 5-2, with Councilmembers Cavey and Davis voting no.

Impact Fee Study

• Presentation: David Corliss and Dan Sailer explained need for updated impact fees to fund $300+ million in transportation projects. Current fees generate only $12M/year; study will involve stakeholders and follow state law.
• Decision: Motion to direct staff to proceed with impact fee study passed 7-0.

Recoupment Policy for Crystal Valley Interchange

• Policy: Establishes a consistent method for recouping a fair share of interchange costs ($35M to be recouped) from future development in influence zones. Only applies if property annexes and develops. Not required for agricultural or existing uses.
• Public Comment: Andy Hough (resident, business owner, Douglas County employee) expressed concern the policy feels like a metro district after the fact and could harm business climate. Noted CDOT and federal partners contributed nothing.
• Council Discussion: Mayor Pro Tem Cavey highlighted that CDOT has not contributed to highway improvements. Councilmember Hollingshead emphasized developers should pay fair share.
• Decision: Motion to adopt RES 2026-039 passed 7-0.

2026-2030 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Amendment

• Changes: Added West Loop Road roundabout and a Founders Parkway operational study. Current CIP largely unfunded beyond listed projects.
• Decision: Motion to adopt RES 2026-040 passed 7-0.

West Loop Road Roundabout Design Services Agreement

• Contract: $388,000 with Kimley-Horn for design; construction anticipated spring 2027. Budget includes $61,000 for potential land acquisition.
• Decision: Motion to adopt RES 2026-041 passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Votes (7-0): Legislative positions, consent calendar, Bella Mesa South site plan, community grants, impact fee study, Crystal Valley interchange recoupment policy, five-year CIP amendment, West Loop roundabout design contract.
• Split Vote (5-2): Crystal Valley Parkway speed limit change to 40/35 mph (Gray, Hollingshead, Bracken, Brooks, Dietz yes; Cavey, Davis no).
• Next Steps: Staff to communicate legislative positions, initiate impact fee study, begin roundabout design. Speed limit signs will be adjusted.