Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board elects leaders, appoints design‑review rep and approves historic‑month funding

The Town of Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board on Feb. 5 elected Robert Lang chair and Chris Pluczynski vice chair, approved resolutions of appreciation for several departing members, appointed a representative to the Design Review Board and approved a contribution to the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum for National Historic Preservation Month.

The board’s actions began after staff confirmed the meeting was noticed under the Open Meetings Law and minutes from the Dec. 4, 2024, meeting were approved by roll call. The board then voted to adopt five resolutions of appreciation honoring departing Historic Preservation Board members and the board liaison; the resolutions passed by roll-call vote and the board said certificates would be mailed to the honorees.

The board next held elections. Robert Lang, nominated for chair, received a majority in roll call with one abstention and was elected chair. Chris Pluczynski was elected vice chair by roll call after a nomination and second.

The board also nominated and approved a Historic Preservation Board representative to sit on the Design Review Board. Staff described the Design Review Board as the final decision maker for downtown projects under 10,000 square feet and a recommending body to Town Council for projects larger than 10,000 square feet; the board approved the nomination by roll call.

During the meeting the board considered a request from the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum for support of National Historic Preservation Month activities in May. Museum staff described planned events including a trolley tour on May 3 and a monthlong scavenger hunt that uses 24 historic‑building markers with QR codes. Claudine Phibbs of the museum said the scavenger hunt began during the COVID period and that the organization distributes prize drawings and coordinates about 26 participating businesses; she reported that the program issued almost 300 clue sheets in its first year, about 250 last year and typically receives roughly 75 completed returns. The board voted to approve the historical society’s requested contribution.

Town Council liaison Mayor Gray provided updates from the council. He said a gross‑weight vehicle ordinance (affecting vehicles over 10,000 pounds on local roads), which produced public comment about towing and safety, was tabled for further research. Gray described a pilot leak‑detection program that attaches sensors to fire hydrants to detect small and emerging leaks; “we think it’s gonna save us a lot of money in the long run,” he said. He also summarized a large planned development approved by council covering the Brick Yard planned development area north of Miller’s Landing and south of Prairie Hawk Road, including an associated recreation center the mayor said is part of a roughly $400 million development with the rec center alone approaching $100 million and targeted to open in mid‑to‑late 2027.

The board heard a brief museum update from liaison David Rowe: exterior painting and repair work was completed in October at a reported cost of $23,200, and the Historic Preservation Board contributed $10,000 toward that local restoration project. Staff said the board will discuss Historic Preservation Month at an upcoming meeting and may arrange a trolley tour for the board in May.

The meeting closed with scheduling checks for quorum at upcoming meetings on March 5 and April 2 and a unanimous roll‑call vote to adjourn.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (Dec. 4, 2024): Motion carried by roll call (ayes recorded; no opposing votes recorded). - Resolutions of appreciation for departing members: Adopted by roll call (ayes recorded; no opposing votes recorded). Certificates to be mailed to honorees. - Election—Chair (Robert Lang): Elected by roll call (majority, one abstention recorded). - Election—Vice Chair (Chris Pluczynski): Elected by roll call (majority, one abstention recorded). - Appointment—Design Review Board representative (Historic Preservation Board nominee): Approved by roll call. - Contribution—Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum, Historic Preservation Month: Approved by roll call (board noted past contributions of $500 and approved the current request).