Castle Rock asks residents to weigh in on Pine Canyon development that town opposes

DENVER ( KDVR ) — The town of Castle Rock is opposing a new development that’s been proposed and the town is encouraging residents to weigh in on the plan.

The Pine Canyon project is an urban-level development “in the heart of Castle Rock,” which would take over 530 acres of unincorporated Douglas County and add over 4,500 residents to the area. The acreage is nestled between The Woodlands neighborhood, Metzler Ranch and Red Hawk. According to Castle Rock, the area is “completely surrounded” by the town.

“It is not possible to develop this property without causing true impacts to the Town of Castle Rock’s community and infrastructure,” Castle Rock’s Director of Development Tara Vargish and senior planner Sandy Vossler said in a letter to Douglas County’s chief planner. “The higher the density, the higher the impacts will be on a community that is not currently regulating this area.”

Officials told Douglas County in their letter that Castle Rock residents will be burdened with additional costs related to traffic and roadway degradation, in addition to concerns about the proposed sewage treatment plant on East Plum Creek, such as odors in nearby neighborhoods. The proposed facility would be close to one of Castle Rock’s trails, which the city said would decrease enjoyment, and the town said it has the capacity already to serve the area with its existing wastewater facilities.

Castle Rock also cited issues with the planned water supply for this proposed development.

“Future costs of supporting residents when the Pine Canyon Water and Sanitation District fails to obtain a long-term sustainable and renewable water supply or can no longer keep up with stringent regulations and infrastructure replacement and rehabilitation costs,” the pair of Castle Rock officials wrote.

The town asserted that the Castle Rock Fire Protection District has not been contacted for coordination for funding additional facilities, equipment and other items needed to serve residents in the area.

Castle Rock also told Douglas County that it’s concerned the developers submitted an annexation proposal for the acreage, but the application was withdrawn “before it could be considered by the Town Council.” There are also some issues with easements that Castle Rock discussed in its letter.

Castle Rock is encouraging residents to share their opinions by emailing the Douglas County Commissioners ahead of the Sept. 10 public hearing, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Commissioner’s Hearing Room, 100 Third St. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners also livestreams its meetings on YouTube .

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