Mayor Jason Gray  
Mayor Pro Tem Laura Cavey  
Councilmember Ryan Hollingshead  
Councilmember Kevin Bracken  
Councilmember Mark Davis  
Councilmember Max Brooks  
Councilmember Tim Dietz  
Town Council  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Tuesday, April 1, 2025  
6:00 PM  
Town Hall Council Chambers  
100 North Wilcox Street  
Castle Rock, CO 80104  
www.CRgov.com/CouncilMeeting  
This meeting is open to the public. All times indicated on the agenda are approximate. Town Council Meetings are  
also streamed online in real time at www.CRgov.com/WatchCouncil, and are broadcast for Comcast Cable  
subscribers on Channel 22 (please note there is a delay to the broadcast). Public Comments may also be  
submitted in writing online at www.CRgov.com/CouncilComments by 1:00 p.m. April 1, 2025, to be included in the  
public record. If you are unable to access any portion of these materials due to a disability as defined under  
Colorado House Bill 21-1110, please call us at 303-663-4440, email the Town’s accessibility team at  
accessibility@CRgov.com or submit an accommodation request form at www.CRgov.com/A11yRequest  
COUNCIL DINNER & INFORMAL DISCUSSION  
INVOCATION  
Mayor Gray provided the Invocation.  
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL  
Mayor Pro Tem Cavey attended remotely.  
7 - Mayor Gray, Mayor Pro Tem Cavey, Councilmember Hollingshead, Councilmember  
Bracken, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Dietz  
Present:  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
COUNCIL COMMENTS  
Mayor Gray noted that he recently lost a friend and reminded everyone to reach  
out.  
Councilmember Davis defined open space that is owned by the Town and  
undeveloped land that others own that they have the ability to sell or develop. He  
noted that staff has helped him find solutions to issues he has been informed of.  
He thanked staff that beautify our town and put up the Christmas lights.  
Councilmember Brooks commented on the Fire banquet and noted that  
applications are open for vacancies on boards and commissions.  
Councilmember Dietz remarked about the Fire banquet and how tight of a family  
the department is along with the Police department. He commented on Home  
Rule and the benefit of it.  
Mayor Pro Tem Cavey agreed the Fire banquet is special and we have a lot to be  
proud of in this town.  
7 - Mayor Gray, Mayor Pro Tem Cavey, Councilmember Hollingshead, Councilmember  
Bracken, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Dietz  
Present:  
PROC  
2025-003  
Proclamation: Mayor’s Challenge Supporting April as Water  
Conservation Month (For Presentation - Approved on March 18, 2025 by  
a vote 7-0)  
Mayor Gray read the proclamation into the record.  
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES  
Citizens that addressed Council:  
Brian Speagle asked if the Council could purchase a piece of property.  
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT  
ID 2025-040  
ID 2025-045  
Update: Calendar Reminders  
Update: Annual Recruitment of Citizen Volunteers to Town Boards  
and Commissions  
ID 2025-041  
Update: Legislative Update  
Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager, provided an update.  
Moved by Councilmember Brooks, seconded by Councilmember Dietz, to affirm  
staff's recommended positions on State legislation as presented and direct staff to  
communicate the positions to the Town's legislative delegation, CML and others.  
The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
ID 2025-042  
ID 2025-043  
Update: Planned Public Outreach Events  
Development Services Project Updates  
Tara Vargish, Director of Development Services presented the update.  
Councilmember Dietz explained the pre-application process intended to provide  
the developer the opportunity to ask staff about the process and what is required.  
ID 2025-044  
Update: Quasi-Judicial Projects  
TOWN ATTORNEY’S REPORT  
No report.  
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA  
Moved by Councilmember Bracken, seconded by Councilmember Hollingshead, to  
Approve the Agenda as presented. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Moved by Councilmember Brooks, seconded by Councilmember Hollingshead, to  
Approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
ORD 2025-011  
Ordinance Approving the First Amendment to the 2025 Fiscal Year  
Budget by Making Supplemental Appropriations for the 2025 Fiscal  
Year (Second Reading - Approved on First Reading on March 18, 2025  
by a vote 7-0)  
RES 2025-038 Resolution Approving Additional Contingency Amount for the Construction  
Contract with Hudick Excavating, Inc., D/B/A HEI Civil, for the Castle Rock  
Reservoir No. 2 and Castle Rock Reservoir No. 1 Construction Project  
PROC  
Proclamation: 2025 Arbor Day Proclamation (For Council Action -  
2025-004  
Presentation on April 15, 2025)  
MIN 2025-007  
Minutes: March 18, 2025 Town Council Meeting  
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS & DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS  
RES 2025-039  
Resolution Appointing David J. Thrower as the Presiding Judge of the  
Town of Castle Rock Municipal Court and Approving a Service  
Contract  
David J. Thrower was present and introduced himself.  
Mayor Gray stated he and Councilmember Dietz was on the interview board and  
unanimously agreed to appoint Mr. Thrower as the Municipal Judge.  
Councilmember Dietz felt it was important to have someone who is a part of our  
community.  
David Corliss, Town Manager, thanked Kristin Read for coordinating the interview  
process.  
Mike Hyman, Town Attorney, thanked other participants and congratulated Mr.  
Thrower.  
No public comment.  
Moved by Councilmember Dietz, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to Approve  
Resolution RES 2025-039 as presented. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Davis, Brooks, Bracken, Dietz  
Yes:  
QUASI JUDICIAL HEARINGS  
Mayor Gray read the guidelines for quasi-judicial hearings and confirmed there  
are no conflicts of interest and that the items were published as required.  
ORD 2025-012  
Ordinance Authorizing the Conveyance of Lot 1, Block 2, Crystal  
Valley Ranch Filing 14, from the Town of Castle Rock to CVR PA3A  
LLC (First Reading) (located north of Crystal Valley Parkway, east of  
Rhyolite Park and west of Lake Gulch Road)  
Tara Vargish, Director of Development Services, presented the item. The school  
has formally submitted a letter that they will not use the land for school property  
and therefore must be conveyed back to the developer.  
Councilmember Dietz confirmed that the school site is still under the original  
owner. He inquired if the land owner received any tax credit. He explained that  
the 2015 special warranty deed deeded the property to the Town. The area was  
platted at that time and was deeded to the Town as required for land dedication  
for schools. The Town holds it until the school wants to build a school on it or the  
school can state they will never use it for a school. At that time the Town must  
convey the land back to the developer.  
Councilmember Davis asked if there was a time commitment. Vargish stated the  
Town has no time commitment and action is only taken when the school district  
either utilizes the land or states they will not use it.  
Mayor Pro Tem Cavey stated this is the only property we have like this in the  
Town and that Council agreed to this in 2006.  
Councilmember Bracken confirmed this is an agreement between the owner and  
the school district.  
Councilmember Davis inquired why the school district determined it is surplus  
when there is more development in that area to come. Vargish stated that is the  
school district's decision. They still plan to build an elementary school on the  
south side of Loop road, but they have no plans to build a middle school on this  
parcel.  
Citizens that addressed Council:  
Oscar Duran feels that there is a need for that land for a park.  
Maria Rios feels they lack recreation in Crystal Valley and is concerned about  
water for more houses and not enough schools in the area.  
Rick Vaughn feels the land should not be developed and Council should change  
the zoning.  
Elena Stansfield feels the land should be kept for a school and is concerned with  
more development and they should be compensated.  
Susan MacAfee feels the agreement is not right and that the Town is able to do  
whatever they want with it. She requests that the item be tabled.  
Jeff Richmond feels the existing open space is unusable with drainage and a rock  
quarry.  
Ritam Banergee is concerned with the loss of the disc golf course and feels a lot  
of the open space is not usable and doesn't need more homes.  
Alicia Maison stated there are a lot of accidents and traffic already, she is  
concerned about the loss of open space, and there is a need for schools in  
Crystal Valley.  
Emmanuel Ehason feels the Town doesn't have any leverage to do something  
different with this land, but asked if they can delay this plan to allow time to review  
for a better option. He inquired if there are any plans for more recreation in this  
area.  
David Cosel inquired about that property and was told that it was to be used for a  
school. If he would have known it wasn't, they wouldn't have moved there. He  
feels there is health concerns for the construction so close to homes. He stated  
most people take their kids to charter schools because there are no schools  
there.  
Chris Tracy asked if they have looked at the impact on tax assessments and the  
HOA fees. The majority of the open space is the mesa that is mostly unusable.  
Rhyolite park is used by people that don't live there. He is concerned about the  
flooding issues and drainage issues on the south end of the parcel.  
Martina Pierce agreed that the mesa is mostly unusable. She asked if the Town  
is able to do anything and if there is a timeframe for when it will be developed.  
She stated her concern that there is only one entrance on each side if there is an  
emergency. She would not have purchased her home there if that was not going  
to be a school site.  
Hannah Kelly understands that the Town is under contract, but since there is no  
time limit, can the Town go back to the school district to put it on pause so it can  
be re-evaluated. She feels the school district is doing it to receive the $500,000.  
She feels if they do get the money, it should go toward the elementary school that  
is to be built there.  
Dana Bonham feels that the school has had two bonds pass and they still don't  
have money to build the schools and we should keep that in mind next election.  
She wants Council to consider other options.  
Jason Miller asked if the developer is in the room and if he could explain how this  
is beneficial to the community.  
Tara Vargish, Director of Development Services, added clarity to the decision of  
the school district in January 2025. The Town does not have jurisdiction over the  
schools.  
Mayor Gray asked Tara to read the clause in the development agreement that the  
Town shall re-convey the site the land owner with the same zoning.  
Councilmember Dietz does not agree with the school board decision and talked to  
two of the members that didn't realize this is what they voted on. He requests  
that they table the item and have more dialogue with the citizens, developer and  
school district.  
Councilmember Brooks noted upcoming school board meetings on April 8 and 22  
and to postpone until after those.  
Councilmember Bracken does not feel we should put a time limit on it. The Town  
has the responsibility to protect the citizens. The school board changed the deal  
not the Town. We don't have the authority to reduce any one's property taxes  
and suggested residents check their tax bill, and that the Town gets very little  
property tax. He feels Council needs more time to see what can be done.  
Councilmember Dietz feels we should bring it back to Council on June 17. Corliss  
stated they could table it indefinitely and Council would then have to motion to  
bring it back.  
Councilmember Dietz feels we should just table it.  
Councilmember Brooks encouraged residents to go before the school board to  
ask them to reconsider.  
Councilmember Davis looked into the closest school sites. South Elementary,  
Mesa Middle school in Founders and Douglas County High School. Crystal  
Valley doubled in size in ten years. He agrees this should be postponed for a  
better solution.  
Councilmember Hollingshead understands their concerns; and if there is nothing  
we can do, can the residents get the metro district or HOA to purchase that  
property.  
Mayor Pro Tem Cavey agrees this should be tabled and urged everyone to reach  
out to the school board members and attend their meetings.  
Mayor Gray agrees with the frustration that the residents were told it was a school  
site. He feels residents need a better explanation from the school district.  
Greg Brown, the developer, and has been the managing partner for Crystal  
Valley. They had always planned to develop it if the school wasn't going to use it.  
They would develop the same level of homes so there would be no decrease in  
value. The infrastructure and traffic has been planned for that development.  
Councilmember Brooks brought up a point of order that there is a motion on the  
record and the developer should have addressed concerns when that opportunity  
was there.  
Mayor Gray feels the residents deserve a better explanation from the school  
district.  
Councilmember Bracken is asking why the school district is receiving $500,000  
when they don't have property ownership which is a fraction of what that property  
is worth.  
Moved by Councilmember Dietz, seconded by Councilmember Bracken, to Table  
Quasi-Judicial Ordinance ORD 2025-012 as presented. The motion passed by a vote  
of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
RES 2025-040  
Resolution Finding that Certain Property, which is the Subject of a  
Petition for Annexation Submitted by JRW Family Limited Partnership  
LLLP, is Eligible for Annexation Under Article II, Section 30 of the  
Colorado Constitution and Sections 31-12-104 and 31-12-105, C.R.S.  
(Pine Canyon Annexation)  
Tara Vargish, Director of Development Services, presented the item.  
Citizens that addressed Council:  
Marsha is impacted by this development. She is concerned by the traffic impact.  
Moved by Councilmember Brooks, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to Approve  
Quasi-Judicial Resolution RES 2025-040 as presented. The motion passed by a vote  
of:  
6 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
1 - Bracken  
Yes:  
Not Present:  
ADDITIONAL ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS & DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS  
ORD 2025-013  
Ordinance Amending Various Provisions of Chapter 15.64 and  
Section 17.04.060 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code Regarding the  
Mailing of Written Notice of Public Hearings to Neighboring Property  
Owners and Homeowner Associations (First Reading)  
Tara Vargish, Director of Development Services, presented the item.  
Councilmember Dietz would like to see it set at 1,500 feet for developments over  
40 acres.  
Citizens that addressed Council:  
Steve Snodgrass feels 1,000 feet is insufficient. Pine Canyon is 13 times bigger  
than a 40 acre parcel.  
Councilmember Dietz motions to amend to 1,500 feet for 40 acres of more.  
Cavey agrees with 1,500 feet.  
Moved by Councilmember Dietz, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to Approve  
Ordinance ORD 2025-013 amending it to 1,500 foot notice for properties over 40  
acres. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
ORD 2025-014  
Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.58 of the Castle Rock Municipal  
Code Regarding Exterior Lighting (First Reading)  
Mike Hyman, Town Attorney, presented the item.  
Moved by Councilmember Dietz, seconded by Councilmember Hollingshead, to  
Approve Ordinance ORD 2025-014 as presented. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
DIR 2025-015  
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Update, Plus Recommended  
Douglas County Priorities for CDOT Projects  
Dan Sailer, Director of Public Works, presented the item.  
Councilmember Brooks agrees with widening of 85 and feels it should be a higher  
priority. He feels the County may be willing to contribute to bump up that priority  
especially given the accidents that have occurred in that stretch. Sailer stated  
that we can adjust it as our top priority. Staff will make that the first priority.  
Mayor Pro Tem Cavey asked when the light will be in at Crowfoot. Sailer stated  
late summer, early fall. She inquired about Crimson Sky's need for a light. She  
asked why CDOT is now agreeing a light should be there. Sailer stated it is  
CDOT's jurisdiction and they need to provide that recommendation that they now  
are recommending. Cavey asked for our cost to put a light there. Sailer replied it  
is about $1M for a full mast arm and we have about $200,000 available and can  
obtain the rest from fund balance.  
David Corliss, Town Manager, noted the list of projects that we cannot get to. He  
stated staff will be looking at alternatives.  
RES 2025-041  
Resolution Approving the First Restated Town of Castle Rock and  
Parker Water and Sanitation District Intergovernmental Agreement for  
Shared Use of Newlin Gulch Aqueduct No. 2 (aka PWSD Diversion  
Structure) [located south and east of the intersection of Stroh Road and  
Crowfoot Valley Road in Parker]  
Mark Marlowe, Director of Castle Rock Water, presented the item.  
Councilmember Davis gets a lot of questions where we get water and this  
demonstrates that. Marlowe stated we have storage in Rueter Hess, Chatfield,  
Castle Rock 1 and 2, and water rights and wells into Weld County and beyond.  
Moved by Councilmember Hollingshead, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to  
Approve Resolution RES 2025-041 as presented. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
DIR 2025-019  
Agenda item  
Extend past 9:30  
Moved by Councilmember Hollingshead, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to  
Extend the meeting. The motion passed by a vote of:  
7 - Gray, Cavey, Hollingshead, Bracken, Davis, Brooks, Dietz  
Yes:  
ADDITIONAL UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES  
None  
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - NOT TO RETURN  
EXEC  
2025-001  
Executive Session: 1) Matters Relating to the Platte Valley Water  
Partnership Fremont Butte Reservoir Land Purchase, and 2)  
Receiving Legal Advice on Questions Related to Sewer Infrastructure  
Adjourned at 9:20 pm.  
Submitted by:  
Lisa Anderson, Town Clerk