By Bryan Goodland

After much discussion at the public hearing on December 10, the Castle Pines City Council passed three ordinances relative to the Amendment to The Canyons Annexation Development Agreement.

Included in the various ordinances was the addition of 1,500 dwelling units to the original 2009 proposal, increases in public land use, a new area for a potential visitor center, and the stipulation that 5% of the homes be labeled as “attainable/workforce housing.” There was also a mill levy share stipulation for the city to offset some of the maintenance costs they will incur from the build-out.

“After looking at all of our approval criteria, I feel in my opinion that the developer has met the criteria that we are asking for,” said Councilmember Tracy Engerman. “Part of our overall idea for the community is ‘live, work and play,’ and in order to continue to do that, we need to be able to support our amenities. From all our economic studies that we’ve done, all say that we need more rooftops to be able to afford to do that.”

The five criteria used for approval of major amendments include:

• Whether the amendment is consistent with the development standards, commitments and overall intent of the planned development
• Whether the amendment is consistent with the intent, efficient development and preservation of the entire planned development
• Whether the amendment will adversely affect the public interest or enjoyment of the adjacent land
• Whether the amendment’s sole purpose is to confer a special benefit upon an individual
• Whether the amendment is consistent with water supply standards

The majority of the public comment came from neighboring communities and addressed whether the amendment will adversely affect the public interest or enjoyment of the adjacent land.

“We want to be good neighbors, but we are responsible to the people who elected us.”
– Castle Pines Mayor Tera Radloff

In responding to the neighboring communities in attendance who spoke out against the proposed amendment, Mayor Tera Radloff, said, “We want to be good neighbors, but we are responsible to the people who elected us. This is going to give us [the City of Castle Pines] more open space and parks; it is going to give us a variety of housing options that are not available in our existing footprint today; and it is going to give us a vitality in the commercial area that we sorely need. It is incumbent upon us to be responsible to our citizens that they have a place to live, work and play and to make a cohesive community on both sides of I-25. I think that this meets that criteria.”

Along with residential construction, depending on the progress, there are also plans for several road and neighborhood access improvements. Included in the amendment agreement was a commitment from the developer to participate in funding Happy Canyon/I-25 interchange improvements. These improvements will be dependent upon the growth of the area and timelines set forth by the Colorado Department of Transportation. A portion of The Canyons development abuts the Sapphire Pointe neighborhood in Castle Rock, impacting Crowfoot Valley Road as well.

For more information on The Canyons development, visit www.castlepinesco.gov/city-services/city-departments/community-development/current-development-activity/the-canyons/.