Greencastle development would add trail connections to Highlands, Terrace and Cougar Mountain; staff, Newcastle Trails push for preserved access

Chair Nathan Sticks called the meeting to order and the commission heard a detailed briefing on the Greencastle development and proposed trail connections to nearby trail networks.

Brandon, parks and trails coordinator for the City of Newcastle, said the developer has proposed a planned unit development (PUD) on roughly 33 acres that would create clustered single‑family lots and several new trail connections. “The project scope is a planned unit development or PUD that entails 34 lots of single family subdivision, on approximately 33 acres,” Brandon said. He said the clustering is intended to preserve open space and reduce impacts to critical areas.

The presentation focused on proposed pedestrian routes intended to link the new subdivision to the Highlands Trail, the Terrace Trail and an east–west access route identified in staff materials as a proposed Cougar Access Trail. Brandon described the current review status: the developer has received initial staff and peer review comments, is revising its submittal and is expected to go through three to four review cycles before a public hearing and later city council consideration.

Newcastle Trails provided mapped recommendations that staff passed on to the developer. Key requests include keeping the existing Highlands Trail connection at Southeast 90th/140th, aligning a Cougar Trail access point with the Terrace Trail, and preserving multiple access points to Cougar Veil from the Greencastle parcels. Brandon said Newcastle Trails’ input has been shared with the developer and that the developer has shown “no pushback” to many of the requests, adding that some recommendations must remain realistic because of steep topography.

Residents and commissioners asked about vehicle access and construction haul routes. Brandon said traffic studies are under way and that haul routes were discussed during outreach; he identified Southeast 90th as a potential haul route used during construction and noted community concern about increased traffic on the northern section of 140th Avenue, where residents currently walk to access adjacent trails.

The presentation included a draft schedule offered by staff: design revisions and resubmittals through late 2025, a public hearing in December 2025, city council review in early 2026 and final plat/recordation and construction milestones in 2027–28. Brandon emphasized that the project is early in review and that the city and Newcastle Trails will continue to provide input on trail alignment and access.

Commissioners and staff encouraged residents to review the developer’s future submittals and to provide feedback during the public process. Brandon invited commissioners to visit the nearby trail segments and noted staff would continue coordinating with Newcastle Trails and the developer as plans evolve.

The commission did not take formal action on the PUD at this meeting; staff characterized the conversation as an informational update and early coordination with Newcastle Trails and the developer.