To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Donna Ferguson, Planner I, Development Services
Title
Ordinance: Approving an Easement Agreement between the Town of Castle Rock and Intermountain Rural Electric Association; and Providing for its Emergency Adoption on Second and Final Reading (Mercantile Commons Underground Electric Service) (Second Reading)
Body
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Ordinance was approved on first reading with no changes by a vote of 7 to 0 on December 1, 2015.
Executive Summary
Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) is requesting a 20-foot wide easement (Attachment A) to allow an existing overhead electric line to be converted to an underground electric line upon a portion of 2nd Street and alley within Blocks 23 and 28, Town of Castle Rock. It is being requested as an emergency adoption on second and final reading in order to meet construction schedules and install the underground service line prior to the ground freezing.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
A referral was sent to the Utilities, Public Works and the Parks Divisions with no issues being reported. A referral was also sent to Black Hills Energy, Xcel Energy, Century Link and Comcast Cable with no concerns being reported. The language in the easement agreement has been approved by the Town Attorney’s office.
Discussion
The Town owned property is located in the northwest quarter of Section 11, Township 8 South, Range 67 West of the 6th Principal Meridian (Attachment B). The property resides within the E. Plum Creek Park trail system.
IREA is requesting a 20-foot wide non-exclusive easement across Town owned property on a portion of vacated 2nd Street and alley within Blocks 23 and 28, Town of Castle Rock. The easement will allow IREA to convert an overhead electric line to an underground electric line that will provide service to a new 4-story, mixed use building known as Mercantile Commons which is located to the north of the requested easement. The electric line will also service existing adjacent properties and future infill development of the Downtown.
An emergency adoption on second and final reading is being requested at the urging of the developer, Gene Gregory, in order to meet construction schedules and install the underground service line prior to the ground freezing.
IREA representative, Brooks Kaufman, states that due to the scope of the Mercantile Commons project the timing of the work is critical and that it would work best for IREA to convert the overhead service line to an underground service line before, rather than after, the project goes vertical.
The request complies with the Town of Castle Rock Vision 2020 by meeting the Town’s Community Planning Cornerstone to ensure the Town is carefully planned to accommodate the needs of existing and future residents while preserving and protecting Castle Rock identity and quality of life. It also complies with the Comprehensive Master Plan as it continues the mix of moderately intensive residential, retail and office uses which are encouraged in the Downtown District and contributes to the vitality of the district.
Staff Recommendation & Proposed Motion
Staff recommends that Town Council approve the ordinance dedicating the easement to IREA.
I move to approve an ordinance approving an easement agreement between the Town of Castle Rock and Intermountain Rural Electric Association; and providing for its emergency adoption (Mercantile Commons underground electric service)
Attachments
Attachment A: Ordinance
Attachment B: Map
Attachment C: Request