Council approves Bella Mesa South plan for 93 townhomes in Castle Rock

The Castle Rock Town Council voted unanimously on March 24 to approve the Bella Mesa South site‑development plan, clearing the way for 93 townhomes on a 9.3‑acre parcel north of Michaelson Boulevard and west of Mitchell.

Tara Vargas, senior planner, described the proposal as single‑family attached townhomes totaling 93 units — roughly half the site's maximum entitlement — and said the developer exceeds town parking requirements with two spaces per unit plus 57 additional surface spaces. "Staff reviewed the proposal against the comprehensive plan and code requirements and recommended approval to planning commission," Vargas told council.

Josie O’Connor, the project's landscape architect, and Travis Fraser, the applicant’s civil representative, explained site design choices intended to reduce headlight impacts, provide pedestrian connectivity to the adjacent open space and school, and add private open space and low‑water landscaping. Councilmember Brooks, who lives nearby, said the revised plan addressed earlier concerns about parking and neighborhood compatibility and called the product "a much better product than what almost went in there." The council voted to approve the resolution and the site plan on a roll‑call vote.

The approval carries the standard conditions described in the staff report and follows a planning‑commission recommendation for approval earlier in the process. The council’s action was a land‑use decision approving the specific site plan rather than a rezoning; any building permits and construction will proceed under the town’s established permitting process.