Castle Rock board hears building-permit surge, code timeline and Brickyard sports-complex progress

At a meeting of the Town of Castle Rock Board of Building Appeals, staff reported stronger-than-expected single-family permit activity and briefed members on proposed code adoptions, the Brickyard sports-complex schedule and progress on several local developments. The board approved the minutes by voice vote and later adjourned.

The building division reported issuing 55 single-family permits in January, compared with a five-year January average of about 60, and said year-to-date permit activity is “close to 80” single-family permits. Joan White, a town staff member, said, “We actually issued 55, single family homes, and then the 5 year average is actually 60.” She characterized the trend as a positive sign for local development and said Dawson’s Trail is expected to finish in 2027.

White told the board the town staff are reconsidering which model construction code to adopt. “We’ve been looking at the 2024 codes to adopt,” she said, but noted many Colorado jurisdictions are delaying adoption because of the 2024 energy code’s changes. White said the town is looking at adopting the 2021 energy code instead and hopes to take that recommendation to council in September or October. She described elements of the Colorado Energy Code under consideration: electrical-ready requirements for future electric appliances and wiring chases for solar, which “doesn’t install solar on all houses. It’s just to have it ready.”

Staff also reviewed wildfire-related construction guidance. White said the town is coordinating with the fire department on the wildland-interface fire code (an International Code Council standard) and that the state is now mandating jurisdictions adopt that code to improve defensible space around buildings.

On the Brickyard sports-complex project, the town council liaison, Hollinshead, said the council approved five intergovernmental agreements related to the Brickyard-area development, which includes a sports and recreation complex and a new rec center. Hollinshead said the building-permit review for the sports complex is under way and that town staff recently returned initial comments to the architect. He said the south portion of the larger mixed-use building is the focus now and that public improvements and a parking garage with about 100 public spaces are on the schedule. Hollinshead said the town expects the parking garage’s public parking to open on May 9 and the remainder of the building to be finished in late June or early July; retail tenant improvement permits have not yet been submitted.

Board members and speakers also discussed multiple developments around town. White said utility work near Pine Canyon and other locations is largely preparation by utilities (for example, underground electrical lines) rather than definitive site grading tied to immediate building approvals. She said potential water-supply questions for projects that had considered well water would be handled if the developments annex into the town: “The town will take their underground water rights,” she said, and the long-term water plan anticipates growth.

White and Hollinshead discussed funding and timing for parks and amenities tied to new developments. Hollinshead said infrastructure for the Brickyard will be provided as part of the development and that the town will finance some construction and take on debt for the building and related public improvements. He said work on trail access for a recent large open-space acquisition will start with rough-surface trails and that there are currently no funds for major amenities there.

Procedural actions: the board voted to accept the minutes as presented after a motion moved by board member Marks and seconded by board member Sullivan; the chair asked the recording secretary to take roll call. The vote was recorded as three yes votes with two board members absent. Later, the board voted to adjourn; the roll-call votes announced were three yes votes and the meeting concluded.

The board briefly noted the pavement maintenance program, which will target Red Hawk and move toward the Meadows, and checked quorum for the next meeting on June 2, 2025. With no further agenda items, the board adjourned.

The meeting included updates and planning-level timelines rather than final approvals of code adoption or major construction; staff said formal council approvals and returned permit documents remain outstanding for several projects.