To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Tara Vargish, PE, Director, Development Services
Jeff Brauer, Director Parks and Recreation
Title
Discussion/Direction: Public Land Dedication for School Sites through the Development Review Process
Body
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Executive Summary
The Town Council has requested an overview of the Public Land Dedication (PLD) process for school sites. Since the 1980s, Castle Rock has required developers to dedicate land or provide cash-in-lieu to support school sites. This practice, currently regulated in Chapter 16.08 of the Town Municipal Code, ensures that development dedicates land to the Town for a variety of public needs, including future school sites.
Currently, the Town owns multiple parcels that have been identified as future school sites, with more to be acquired as development progresses. The School District reviews proposed dedications during the zoning process, but does not receive direct cash payments from the Town for land. Additionally, land is not conveyed to the School District until they have a planned school ready for construction. In a few cases, land has been conveyed to the School District as they partnered with a public charter school that built a school. All land that has been conveyed to the School District has a school currently constructed and operating on it.
This memo outlines the historical context, current process, and key considerations for school PLD, ensuring the Town’s continued commitment to meeting school site needs.
Attachments
Attachment A: 1984 Resolution
Attachment B: Castle Rock Municipal Code Section 16.08
Attachment C: Map of Existing and Potential Future School Sites