To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Tara Vargish, PE, Director, Development Services
Kevin Wrede, Planning Manager
Title
Summary of the Interchange Overlay (IO) District - Purpose, History, Key Elements, and Implementation Updates
Body
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Executive Summary
The Interchange Overlay (IO) District was established by the Town of Castle Rock in 2010 to promote economic development at key I-25 interchanges. First introduced in 2006, the IO concept was developed to leverage high-traffic areas as economic catalysts by allowing higher development densities and flexible, mixed-use zoning. The IO District provides a voluntary zoning option that encourages the integration of commercial, office, residential, and industrial uses, supported by urban design principles and multimodal access.
The IO ordinance allows greater building heights, reduced parking and open space requirements, and streamlined regulations to support compact, pedestrian-oriented development. It also enforces quality architectural and landscape standards to create visually appealing gateway areas that reflect Castle Rock’s character.
Since adoption, two major areas-Castle Meadows PD (177 acres) and Miller’s Landing PD (48 acres)-have been rezoned to IO near the Plum Creek Parkway interchange. These rezonings did not include density caps, though future rezonings may introduce such limits based on site-specific considerations.
The IO District remains a central component of Castle Rock’s long-term strategy to expand its tax base, attract high-value development, and increase employment opportunities in key regional centers, all while maintaining flexibility in how growth is managed and implemented.
Attachments
Attachment A: Ordinance 2010-16