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1. We have grocery stores that are incredibly crowded due to an incredibly minuscule amount of stores for the population. Is there large retail space at the new Dawson trails area?

The Dawson Trails property, on the south side of town, west of Interstate 25, is zoned to allow around 600,000 square feet of commercial retail spaces where a grocery store could go in. The property owner is working with retailers interested in grocery operations, which include discussions with a Costco Wholesale Club. There is additional property within the Town zoned for commercial grocery store uses. If King Soopers, or other grocery store chains, seek to expand or open new stores, the Town is ready to work with them. Much of Castle Rock was zoned in the 1980s; however, it has taken decades to build out to current levels. Additional residential uses in the Founders/Terrain areas have been planned for some time, and the retail/grocery market will respond with expansion or new stores when needed. To learn more about the approved zoning for properties within Town, view the zoning map.

Posted on Sept. 21, 2022

2. Are there plans to have EV chargers installed at current and future gas stations and convenience stores?

The Town does not require the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at gas stations or convenience stores. Individual businesses, including gas stations and convenience stores, are able to install EV charging stations on their property at their discretion as long as they apply for the appropriate permits and receive the necessary approvals. Various businesses have installed EV charging stations in their parking lots over the past few years, including retailers.

Posted on Jan. 21, 2022

3. What’s the latest on the Young American Planned development?

The application remains under review with the Town. Staff completed a second review in November of 2022. The application has many outstanding issues and will look to re-submit and schedule a second neighborhood meeting some time in 2023. The project is referred to as Chateau Valley and is proposing to construct approximately 297 single-family homes and 63 paired homes (126 dwelling units) for a total of 423 units.

Updated Jan. 3, 2023

4. What’s the latest on the Pine Canyon and Pioneer Ranch proposals? Are there plans within these developments to preserve that forest and protect our wildlife neighbors?

If that's not In the proposals, could town make that a priority as we negotiate with developers?

The Pine Canyon rezoning application is currently under review for development with Douglas County, not the Town.

The Pioneer Ranch annexation was originally submitted in May 2018 and is currently pending resubmission. Learn more about the proposal.

Developments within the Town must have a minimum of 20% open space, either public or private. We also require dedication for public land to be used for parks, schools and, potentially, additional open space. However, we don't have any requirements on preserving trees.

The Town recognizes the value of the forested areas on these properties, not only for its beauty and uniqueness in an urban area, but also for wildlife habitat it provides.

Updated Jan. 3, 2023

5. How can I find out what uses are planned for a specific piece of property in Castle Rock?

You can view the Town's Zoning Map to see how land in Castle Rock is currently zoned. The Development Activity Map shows you where development projects are being built as well as proposed projects. You can also subscribe to our monthly Development Highlights Newsletter to get the latest updates and photos of various current development projects in town. For more information about zoning or development activity, email Planning or call 303-660-1393.

Updated Jan. 20, 2023

6. What can Town Council do/not do in terms of zoning?

Much of Castle Rock was zoned in the 1980s and 1990s, and landowners are legally entitled to develop the land according to previously approved zoning requirements. Town Council is obligated to honor the legal contracts of the past.

If a landowner seeks new zoning or rezoning of their property, there are specific zoning criteria that Town staff, the Planning Commission and Town Council must use to evaluate when determining if a zoning request should be approved.

Neighborhood meetings and public notice are required prior to the zoning hearings.

The Planning Commission reviews the request and makes a recommendation to Town Council, which makes the final determination. Town Council is required to objectively review the request based upon 

1. The facts and circumstances brought to the attention of the Council in the hearing process
2. The 2030 Vision and the Comprehensive Master Plan
3. All development codes

7. How can I find out who owns a property?

A property search tool is available on the Douglas County Assessor’s website.

8. What can be done to stop the development of Castle Rock?

Much of Castle Rock was zoned in the 1980s and 1990s, and landowners are legally entitled to develop the land according to previously approved zoning requirements. While Town Council is obligated to honor the legal contracts of the past, there are plans in place for responsible, quality growth. The Castle Rock Vision 2030 and 2030 Comprehensive Master Plan outline policies and goals to continue quality growth and add a diversity of businesses and housing options.

Responsible, quality growth is a combination of many things. It's having strategic plans in place for water, transportation and public safety to make sure services like emergency response times aren't compromised by population increases. It's valuing land conservation, with an average of 30% of our community being preserved as open space. And, it's development codes that require height limitations to protect the incredible views and buffer zones between residential and commercial developments. Most importantly, smart growth is a vision for the future.

The Town also requires new development to pay impact fees and system development charges to provide revenues to support growth-related infrastructure needs, such as water supply, adding capacity for streets, and building new parks and fire stations. These funds allow for additional Town infrastructure necessitated by growth.

The Town can't stop Colorado's growth, but it can insist on quality growth in our community.

An informative video has been created to explain how the Town plans for growth and quality development. Watch the video and learn more at the Castle Rock Planning page.

Updated Jan. 20, 2023

9. Any plans for a Trader Joes coming to Castle Rock?

There are no current plans for a Trader Joes in Castle Rock.

10. The 2030 master plan talks about a border around Castle Rock to keep it separate from surrounding cities. What does this look like? Is this a narrow border purchased by the city or a large greenbelt

 funded by Douglas County?

The Town of Castle Rock 2030 Comprehensive Master Plan does list a goal of working to ensure that Castle Rock maintains a physical separation from abutting towns, cities and development outside of Town limits. While there is no set metric of what the separation will look like, the Town is open to all available tools, which may include land purchase, dedication through development activity and working with current and future land preservation programs of partner government agencies to achieve the best separation possible.

11. Any word of a Dunkin' Donuts coming to Castle Rock?

A site plan is under review for a Dunkin' Donuts in the Founders Marketplace located on near the southeast corner of Hwy 86 and Founders Parkway. You can view plans for this project through the Development Activity Map, and also subscribe to stay up to date about future meetings or public hearings.

Updated Jan. 20, 2023

12. Any plans for a Costco in Castle Rock?

As part of the Dawson Trails Planned Development, a Costco is being planned. Costco could open sometime in 2025 at the same time the Crystal Valley interchange is completed.

Updated Jan. 20, 2023

13. What is annexation and how does the process work?

Annexation is the process by which a property becomes incorporated into the Town of Castle Rock's jurisdiction. With that annexation, the area benefits from services the Town provides, such as public safety, snow removal, street maintenance, park maintenance and more. It also means taxable units or sales tax from that property help pay for those services. All annexation proposals must follow a State-mandated process, which includes public hearings. As part of that process, Town Council must make three decisions:

• Substantial Compliance: Does the annexation petition comply with State Code?
• Eligibility: Is the property eligible to be annexed in accordance with State Code?
• Annexation: Should the property be annexed?

The Town has several proposals under consideration. Learn more and view the annexation proposals.

14. How does development work in Castle Rock?

Like in most municipalities, all development - including building, planning and zoning - is handled by the Town's Development Services Department. A new development must start with a proposed plan.

The plan is submitted to Development Services, which is staffed with experts. Engineers, community planners and designers evaluate the plan on everything from traffic and water impacts to design and aesthetic standards. Their goal is to ensure every new development not only matches the community's vision but also makes technical sense and, above all, is safe to use. Then, the public process can begin. Planned developments are presented to the public through Planning Commission, community meetings, and Town Council. Then, staff follows up with developers to ensure public comments taken at public meetings are incorporated into the plan to the extent possible. You can see the projects going through this process using the map. Sometimes, if the zoning use on the area is already in line with what the developer is proposing, it can be reviewed and approved by staff.

It's important to know this process is market-driven. When the economy supports new amenities, developers will approach the Town with their ideas.

View a video about the process on YouTube.