Historic Preservation Board elects officers, appoints Design Review Board reps; liaison reports Pine Canyon annexation and rec center approval

The Town of Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board conducted annual officer elections and appointments and received a Town Council update at its June 4 meeting.

Robert Lang was nominated and, after a roll-call vote, was elected chair. The board also completed the vice-chair election and approved the minutes from its May 7 meeting. The board voted to fill two vacancies on the Design Review Board with Dan (surname not specified in the record) and Robert Lang; both appointments were approved by roll-call votes.

Brad Bowen, historic-preservation staff, explained the Design Review Board’s role: it is a deciding body for certain downtown projects within the Downtown Overlay District and includes two representatives from the Historic Preservation Board, one planning commission member, two members nominated by the Downtown Development Authority and two property owners within the overlay. Bowen said the board recently changed its decision threshold so it directly decides on projects under a stated square-footage threshold and acts in an advisory capacity for larger projects.

Council Member Davis, the Town Council liaison, gave a report on council business from a June 3 meeting. Davis said the council approved the annexation of the Pine Canyon area and discussed traffic concerns, urging a future four-lane configuration for parts of the site and pressing for protections for older nearby neighborhoods. Davis said the council approved a new recreation center to be built in the Brickyard area, described its program as including an indoor track, pools, basketball and pickleball courts and said the council expects the developer to install underground infrastructure and new streets; Davis cited a construction cost figure of about $72,000,000 and said the council expects financing to be paid over 30 years.

Davis also reported that two ambulances were approved for addition to the system (one to be stationed in Crowfoot, the other in the central area), and that the police department had demonstrated a drone capable of flying to about 400 feet and streaming imagery that can be shared with fire dispatchers. The liaison noted council discussion about using drones for a downtown parking study and reminded residents that the downtown parking structure is open after hours on multiple levels.

Board members confirmed quorum for upcoming meetings on July 2 and Aug. 6 and discussed historical-society events and outreach from the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum, including sold-out trolley tours and a museum flood exhibit opening June 21.

The meeting concluded with a roll-call vote to adjourn.