Castle Rock council to study dissolving Design Review Board after contested motion

Councilmember Davis moved to dissolve Castle Rock’s Design Review Board (DRB), saying the board has met infrequently since revision of development thresholds two years ago and that its duties largely overlap with staff and the planning commission. “We already have town staff, planning commission, historic preservation, and town council already for approval for site development, and DRB is no longer needed,” Davis said when bringing the motion.

The motion drew objections from several colleagues who said they were surprised by the proposal and wanted better consultation with existing DRB members. Councilmember Brooks urged a staff plan for how DRB members’ perspectives could be preserved during any transition, suggesting that two DRB members might sit on the planning commission during a phased change. Town Attorney Michael reminded the council that removing the DRB from municipal code would require an ordinance and edits across multiple code sections.

After extended discussion about logistics, composition and the need for a formal code change, Davis revised the motion to withdraw immediate action and to direct staff to prepare the ordinance language and a council discussion item on options and transition steps. The mayor announced, “Passes 3 to 2,” while the transcript’s roll‑call lines contain inconsistent votes (see meeting record). The council did not dissolve the board at the meeting; staff will return with formal ordinance language and an implementation plan for council consideration.

Why it matters: The DRB hears design issues for the downtown overlay district and its future affects how site design decisions in the downtown area will be reviewed and what public review steps applicants must follow.

What’s next: Staff will prepare ordinance language and implementation options — including possible transfer of DRB seats to the planning commission — and return the item for council direction and a formal vote.