To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Discussion/Direction: Results of 2023 Community Survey
Body
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Executive Summary
In every odd-numbered year since 2011, the Town has completed a community survey. As it has since 2015, the Town retained firm ComEngage to complete the statistically valid survey on its behalf. Responses were collected from Feb. 9 to April 5. Unlike in the recent past, every household in Castle Rock was invited to participate. This resulted in nearly 2,220 residents completing at least one “wave” of the survey, which is roughly triple the number of residents engaged in recent surveys.
Results overall continue to rate Castle Rock higher than other communities - the Town again received a 3.5-Star Rating overall in ComEngage’s 5-Star Rating system - but the survey did indicate some areas for improvement. Along with a report on the survey’s results (Attachment A), this memo includes some initial Town responses to some of the feedback received.
Discussion
The resident survey generally took respondents about 21 minutes to complete and included questions in the following broad areas, under which high-level results and initial Town responses are summarized:
• General questions about the quality of life and quality and value of services in Town and a question regarding whether the Town is headed in the right direction
About nine in 10 residents surveyed said the quality of life in Castle Rock meets or exceeds expectations, and over three-quarters of respondents said the quality of services the Town provides exceeds or greatly exceeds expectations; these ratings have declined from 2021. Castle Rock continues to shine with regard to comparability to other communities, with 88% of residents surveyed believing Castle Rock is a better place to live than elsewhere.
54% of residents surveyed said they believe the Town is headed in the right direction, and 64% percent of respondents said they believe they are getting their money’s worth for their tax dollars; these items also declined from 2021.
Initial Town responses: Quality of life and service responses will be addressed in subsequent sections. Town staff has provided resident education regarding the modest amount of taxes paid to the Town, including sending a postcard in 2021 with each property’s tax breakdown. Staff will continue to remind residents of the small share of property tax that is paid to the Town - including by sending an updated postcard if Council so desires.
• Thoughts regarding the Town’s strategic priorities
The survey asked residents to share what they believe should be Town’s top priorities from a list of potential priorities. Here is how respondents ranked the potential priorities:
1. Managing growth/quality of life
2. Protecting natural resources/preserving additional open space
3. Securing the Town’s water future
4. Ensuring outstanding public safety within Castle Rock
5. Improving transportation connectivity and relieving traffic congestion
6. Maintaining the Town’s unique character
7. Providing adequate park and recreation amenities to keep up with neighboring communities
8. Managing Town finances conservatively
9. Supporting economic development within Town
10. Improving residential / nonresidential balance
11. Providing adequate job opportunities
Providing a suitable range of housing options was not found to be a priority among respondents.
After considering the potential priorities, residents were asked what other priorities the Town should consider. The top answer (27%) was limiting, slowing or stopping growth.
Initial Town responses: Town Council will discuss and set priorities moving forward - in accord with the Town’s financial resources - as the 2024 budget process continues. The Town has recently invested in additional open space, through improvements to the new Metzler Family Open Space. Staff will be suggesting additional ways Council could potentially fund future open space opportunities as part of the 2024 budget process.
• Questions regarding Castle Rock as a place to live, including about important issues in and aspects of the Town, as well as regarding how well the Town keeps residents informed and how likely residents are to recommend Castle Rock as a place to raise children, do business, retire and work
Residents provide above-average ratings regarding most aspects of living in Castle Rock, with the ability to buy things locally rated highest among these attributes and the cost of living in Castle Rock rated lowest. These two ratings and the rating for employment opportunities within the Town declined significantly from 2021.
Respondents identified managing growth as the biggest issue facing Castle Rock when asked an open-ended question about that topic. Concerns about water and public safety also topped the list of concerns. Of note is that the number of residents who mentioned “managing growth” declined 20% since 2021, while those citing water issues as a concern more than doubled, from 10% to 22%.
Scores related to keeping residents informed regarding Town happenings and seeking their involvement and input have remained consistent compared to 2021.
Residents are very likely to recommend the Town as a place to raise children. Ratings regarding the likelihood of residents recommending the Town as a place to do business, a place to retire and a place to work have declined since 2021.
Initial Town responses: The Town has robust public education and input opportunities - ranging from Your Town Academy, to annual Councilmember open houses, to near daily community engagement via social media. Staff suggests continuing these opportunities, with a particular focus in the near term on public education surrounding water projects and issues within Castle Rock.
• Thoughts regarding growth
New in this year’s survey was a series of in-depth questions surrounding the issue of growth. Residents were provided a list of ways the Town works to manage growth and asked to rank them in order of importance. Here is how respondents ranked the Town’s responses to growth in order of importance:
1. Preserve open space
2. Implement and execute on long-term water plans
3. Improve the transportation network by widening roads within Town
4. Engage the public for input regarding development proposals
5. Improve the transportation network by adding new interchanges on major highways in Castle Rock
6. Charge impact fees on development to help ensure growth pays for growth
7. Establish and execute on long-range plans for other Town services (fire, police, parks and recreation)
8. Enforce zoning regulations
9. Require exceptional benefits for any new development proposals
After considering these provided responses, residents were asked if there were other measures the Town could take to ensure quality growth. The top answer (34%) was to limit, slow down or stop growth, followed by relieving traffic issues (13%).
When asked about the rate of growth in Castle Rock, 78% of respondents say they
believe the Town is growing too fast. Respondents’ top two concerns about growth were the same as in 2021: the feeling that uncontrolled growth is occurring, and traffic and transportation issues. Respondents again viewed the most beneficial aspect of growth as having more variety in terms of shopping, restaurants and businesses.
Initial Town responses: Market factors have driven the rate of growth within Castle Rock, which recently has slowed dramatically with the economy. The total number of single- and multifamily permits issued in 2022 was 40% lower than the number issued in 2021. Through first quarter 2023, these permits are down 72% compared to the five-year average. As growth slows, so does the Town’s impact fee revenue, impacting the ability to address many of these priorities.
• Thoughts regarding community character and Downtown
70% of respondents said they believe there is some or a strong sense of community in Castle Rock. While this is a decline from 2021, this rating is consistent with ratings from 2017 and 2019. New in 2023, respondents were asked to select the factors they believe contribute most to the Town’s unique identity. Here is how they ranked those items:
1. Easy access to open spaces and natural beauty
2. Safe neighborhoods and streets
3. Social events and activities for the community
4. A vibrant downtown
5. Efforts to preserve history and heritage
6. Small businesses and limited big-box stores
7. Friendly people
8. Walkable areas with no traffic
9. Knowing my neighbors
Distinct architectural style was not found by respondents to contribute to Castle Rock’s unique identity.
After considering the provided factors, residents were asked what other factors contribute to the Town’s distinct identity. The top answer (69%) was views/nature/open space/geology, a “small-town feel” (68%).
With regard to Downtown Castle Rock, respondents reported presently visiting the area with roughly the same frequency as they did in 2019, with the most common reason for visiting being going out to eat. When asked what one thing could be done to improve Downtown, 42% of respondents said adding parking.
Initial Town responses: Council has invested in public safety to keep that aspect of life in Castle Rock strong. Council has also purchased Cantril School and supported a strong slate of community events to enhance community character. Council will soon be asked to make an additional investment in Downtown parking by leasing spaces at the Douglas County School District’s Administration Building on Wilcox Street.
• Thoughts regarding other special topics
Respondents were asked whether the Town should encourage the business community to invest in programs to ensure that middle- and low-wage workers employed in Castle Rock can live in Castle Rock, and 62% agreed with that sentiment. When asked how they thought the Town should obtain additional revenue to help fund public safety needs, respondents’ most frequent answer was to tax new development, followed by reallocating current Town funds.
Initial Town responses: Town Council asked the community in 2021 to approve a new housing construction tax dedicated to funding public safety, and that ballot measure failed. To address public safety needs, Council in the 2023 budget began shifting funds away from transportation needs toward additional public safety staffing.
• Evaluations of specific aspects of Town services including Police, Fire/EMS, Roads/Public Works, Water and Parks and Recreation
Respondents indicate they remain satisfied (7/10 or above) with most aspects of Police and Fire and Rescue services. The only area of public safety performance that declined significantly was animal services such as Animal Control.
Ratings for all Public Works performance items decreased from 2021, though residents remain overall satisfied with these aspects: cleanliness of the streets, and overall convenience and accessibility of the roads. Residents were also overall satisfied with snowplowing, though those ratings declined from 2021.
Residents rated both neighborhood and major streets as safe overall, including for vehicles, bicycles and walking. Increasing police presence was viewed as the best way to improve safety on neighborhood streets, and increasing bike- and pedestrian-safe infrastructure was the top way respondents thought safety on major streets could be improved.
Residents continue to be satisfied with Castle Rock Water’s services, with the exception of value of services for rates paid, though that and several other ratings decreased from 2021: overall quality of water, water conservation programs and securing and managing long-term water supplies. Opportunities were identified for increasing the success of the ColoradoScape program by raising the rebate to $2.50 per square foot and increasing customer outreach about the program.
Finally, residents continue to believe that Parks and Recreation is doing a good job at providing a park within a half-mile of their households and rated highly the value of their access to parks and trails. When asked what additional Parks and Recreation amenities they would like developed within Castle Rock, respondents’ most common answer was an additional recreation center, followed by additional trails and open space.
Initial Town responses: Staff intends to examine Animal Control data and provide pet ownership education toward that concern. Numerous investments are being made in transportation, including the widening of Plum Creek Parkway and Ridge Road, construction of the Crystal Valley interchange, and adjustments to the Town’s snowplowing operations. The Town’s ability to address additional Public Works concerns is tied to available funding. With no changes to revenue, services will continue to be prioritized against each other through the budget process.
Council will be asked to consider adding a sports development center for the community as part of the Brickyard project later this year. In addition to increasing education about long-term water plans, Water will increase their ColoradoScape rebate amount and expand their conservation outreach efforts.
In addition to the resident survey results, the attached report also contains results of the business survey, which are not detailed in this memo. Staff will share with the public all of this information, including the Town’s initial responses to the feedback received. Staff welcomes Council discussion and direction on additional desired responses to these survey results.
Attachments
Attachment A: 2023 Castle Rock Community Survey Report