Castle Rock council sends downtown height change back to staff, approves grants, ordinances and water contracts

Castle Rock Town Council met June 17 and took a series of policy and administrative actions, including directing staff to return with an amendment to lower allowable building heights in the downtown overlay district, approving a pilot kiosk program for home builders, awarding community grants, adopting an amendment to the town's public indecency code, updating local rules for accessory dwelling units and approving engineering agreements for two water projects.

The council voted unanimously on the motions and ordinances after discussion and public comment. The meeting also included a joint settlement statement from The Rock Church and the town about a long-running land-use lawsuit.

Why it matters: The downtown overlay change and ADU updates affect how and where housing and businesses can develop in Castle Rock; the public indecency amendment clarifies enforcement on live adult performances in public spaces; the water agreements fund design and permitting work for projects that aim to increase long-term water supply; and the council's grant decisions distribute limited town funding to local nonprofits and school programs.

Downtown height limit: staff directed to draft ordinance

Council member Mark Davis introduced a motion asking staff to prepare an ordinance to lower the maximum height in the downtown overlay from six stories to four and return it for council consideration at a future meeting. The motion was seconded and passed 6-0. Council members stressed the need to avoid retroactively affecting already approved projects and asked staff to analyze potential property-rights and litigation risks.

Council member Max Brooks asked staff to also consider shifting the boundary of the downtown core farther south (toward Plum Creek) when drafting the amendment.

Kiosk pilot for home builders

Council member Brooks also asked staff to bring back a pilot program to allow kiosks for home builders as a form of wayfinding and community information in new residential developments.…