Castle Rock council tables conveyance of planned Crystal Valley middle‑school site after hours of public objection

Castle Rock Town Council on Tuesday delayed action on an ordinance that would reconvey a 20.9‑acre “middle school” parcel in Crystal Valley Ranch back to the original developer after the Douglas County School District notified the town it would not use the site.

The council voted unanimously to table the ordinance after sustained public comment and questions from council members about the timing, school‑district decision and potential impacts on traffic, open space and schools.

Town planning director Tara Vargas told the council the parcel was dedicated to the town under a 2006 development agreement but that a clause in that agreement says the site ‘‘may be developed in accordance with the development plan’’ and ‘‘the town shall reconvey the site to the owner’’ if the school district provides written notice that it will never use the parcel for a school. Vargas said the district’s written notice arrived Feb. 3, 2025, and staff prepared an ordinance for reconveyance. "This parcel is just over 20…