Council approves 77‑lot Soliana subdivision; neighbors press for second access amid traffic concerns

The Castle Rock Town Council voted to approve the Soliana site development plan, a proposal to build 77 residential lots on roughly 78 acres north of Alexander Place.

Tara Vargas, the town’s planning director, told council the site development plan conforms to the Alexander Way planned development zoning and town criteria. The plan shows 55 large single‑family lots and 22 smaller “live‑work” units, more than 34 acres of public and private open space and a neighborhood park. Planning commission recommended approval 5–0.

Developer Lenny Hoffman and planner Karen Henry presented the layout, emphasizing large lot sizes, topography‑based design and trail connections. Mike Rocha, the project’s traffic engineer, said the traffic impact study concluded the primary access at Brewer Court can operate within town standards with the project traffic; he said the development’s traffic represents a small share of volume at key intersections. Council members repeatedly pressed the applicant on secondary access and whether the existing two‑lane roads near Alexander Place can safely absorb additional traffic.

Vargas said the town’s fire code requires a secondary access for developments exceeding 30 lots; if a secondary access is not provided, the homes must have fire sprinkler systems. Several residents urged the council to insist on a secondary access rather than rely on sprinklers. Susan McAfee, a resident, and others said sprinklers do not substitute for fire department access in the event of a large wildfire. Daniel Price, who lives in an existing nearby large‑lot community, spoke in support of the project’s design and character.

Council members asked whether the applicant had secured rights for a possible connection through adjacent commercial parcels and raised questions about signal and intersection operations on Alexander Place and Allen Street. Staff and the applicant said the developer is working with neighboring property owners on a future south connection through a commercial strip; the primary access approved with the zoning remains Brewer Court.

After debate, council approved the site development plan. Votes recorded on the motion were: Bracken — yes; Davis — yes; Brooks — aye; Burks — aye; Dietz — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kavey — yes; Mayor Gray — aye. Staff noted the project will be required to build trails and open space shown in the plan and that homes will be required to be fire‑sprinklered unless a secondary access is secured.