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Fact or Fiction - General Questions

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1. What is happening at Metzler Park, near Walmart? There's construction in the lowland area just west of the parking lot, at the bottom of the sledding hill.

The construction you are seeing is part of the Metzler Ranch Detention Pond Retrofit Project. The project will restore the water quality and improve the flood control volume of the regional detention pond. Work is expected to be complete in spring 2021. Learn more about the project at http://www.crgov.com/3272/Metzler-Ranch-Detention-Pond.

2. Are there any requirements on what kind of trees developers are required to plant? Or seems like there are too many deciduous trees and not many native ponderosas which really define our town. Could

developers be asked to plant Ponderosas instead of deciduous?

Currently, developers must plant large-canopy deciduous trees along their streetscape and are allowed to have 50% deciduous and 50% evergreen trees throughout the rest of their project. Learn more about the requirements in the Landscape and Irrigation Criteria manual: http://crgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/30191/2021-Landscape-and-Irrigation-Criteria-Manual-. While the manual incorporates requirements from several departments, changes would be managed through Castle Rock Water, and approved by Town Council.

3. Do you need to be a Castle Rock resident to be on one of the city boards (such as the art commission)?

A residency requirement exists to be a member of most Town boards and commissions. There are a few exceptions: members of the Design Review Board, Downtown Development Authority, Historic Preservation Board and the Public Art Commission are not always required to be residents, but they must meet other criteria as outlined in each group’s bylaws. All other boards and commissions require members to be residents.

Posted on Feb. 10, 2021

4. Can an HOA within the city of Castle Rock restrict or limit the installation of artificial turf on a homeowners residential property?

The Colorado General Assembly in 2019 passed House Bill 1050. Among the legislation’s provisions are that an HOA cannot prevent xeriscaping or hardscaping but may set standards for those landscapes. Please reference the legislation for additional detail: HB 19-1050 (pdf). Additionally, you may wish to contact the State’s HOA Information and Resource Center, which serves as a resource for consumers to understand their basic rights and duties under the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act, for additional information: https://dre.colorado.gov/hoa-center.

Posted Feb. 3, 2021

5. Is it true that while masks are encouraged, nothing makes mask wear mandatory in Castle Rock? How does Castle Rock exempt themselves from the TCHD Public Health Order?

Thank you for reaching out. Castle Rock is not under the Tri-County Public Health Order, but rather the mandatory mask-wearing requirement for Colorado. You can learn more about what the mandate entails by visiting https://covid19.colorado.gov/mask-guidance. Town Council voted to opt out of the Tri-County Public Health Order at the July 14 Town Council Meeting. However, the State Order supersedes the Tri-County Health Order. 

6. What's the scoop on why Castle Rock is not part of RTD?

Prior to 2005, portions of the Town were part of the Regional Transportation District, which operates the Denver area light rail and bus systems, along with other services. Service for Castle Rock was very limited, and residents did not believe they were getting adequate service for the amount of taxes paid. In 2005, Castle Rock residents voted “all out” of RTD and the associated sales tax.  

7. Are there any additional supermarkets slated for Castle Rock?

The Town does not have any current developer inquiries for additional grocery stores. A new Whole Foods Market was opened in June 2020 in the Promenade, near Castle Rock Parkway. A few other food stores worth exploring around Town are King Soopers, Safeway, Sprouts, Vitamin Cottage, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Target.

8. What are the exact details of how Castle Rock excluded itself from SCFD?

Prior to July 2006, some parts of Castle Rock were in, and some parts of Castle Rock were out, of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. On July 1, 2006, all of Castle Rock exited from the district as a result of 2004 State legislation. Town Council in 2006 discussed whether to ask voters if the entire Town should enter the district by placing the issue on that November’s ballot and decided not to put the question to a vote. Castle Rock remains out of SCFD. 

9. What is happening to the Ash trees around town? At my apartment complex in black feather and my old home, they have not bloomed yet.

Our crazy Colorado weather is to blame. In most cases, the dying ash trees are the result of a combination of an early October freeze in 2019 and a very late freeze this April. Both freezes followed unusually warm days. A warmer-than-average early spring caused many plants to begin to bud or sprout, only to have their growth nipped by the freezing temperatures that occurred around April 11-13. If trees and other plants don’t seem to be blooming quite right this year, the freeze is probably to blame.

10. How do I propose that an older ordinance get reviewed for adjustments? Specifically, golf carts are not allowed in castle rock because they can’t be registered as a vehicle.

Ordinances and the Town Code are generally changed through actions of Town Council at Council meetings. A constituent may address Town Council during unscheduled public comments at a Council meeting and/or contact his/her Councilmember regarding his/her proposal. 

To your specific concern, golf carts licensed with the State as low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) are permitted on local Town streets, generally defined as those with speed limits of 30 mph or less. View the Town Code section here: https://library.municode.com/co/castle_rock/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT10VETR_CH10.04MOTRCO.  

11. I have heard the train horn quiet zone will be funded by the new Encore development next to Town Hall. When will the quiet zone actually be operational, meaning the horns will no longer be heard??

The Encore developer has committed to contributing funds toward a project to establish a quiet zone that includes the three rail crossings in the Downtown area. The Town is currently in the early project-development stages and is working with the Federal Railroad Administration, Union Pacific and Colorado Public Utilities Commission on this initiative. All of these agencies have certain jurisdiction over this project. Since the Town does not fully control this process, we can only estimate the completion timeframe. Our current estimate is the end of 2021.

12. Does Castle Rock have a paper, glass, aluminum, plastic, and tin recycling program?

The Town does not provide trash removal or recycling services. Neighborhoods with homeowners associations may provide trash removal through the HOA. Those in areas without an HOA must obtain individual service. There is a community recycling center that operates 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday at 701 Prairie Hawk Drive. It is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but you can visit their website for updates: https://sites.google.com/site/communityrecyclingcenter/.

13. How do I ensure that my feedback becomes part of the official record of a Town Council meeting?

There are three ways to provide feedback for the official record of a Town Council meeting. First, you can attend the meeting and speak during the time allowed for public comment. Second, you can submit an email or call the contact listed for the agenda item for which you’d like to provide feedback. Finally, in some instances, there are online feedback forms set up on the Town’s website to collect feedback on certain items on the Council agenda. You can view Council agendas at CRgov.com/Council.

14. Will you please provide the exact rules/laws for the use of personal fireworks when it is not the 4th of July?

As per Town Code 9.16.030, which addresses prohibited acts, no person shall use permissible fireworks except on the 4th of July between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. If the Town is under Fire Restrictions, no fireworks are allowed at all. 

15. Is a short term rental allowed in Castle Rock?

The Town of Castle Rock does not regulate short term rentals such as Airbnb or VRBO. However, all businesses must obtain a Town business license and pay applicable sales tax. You can find the business license application online at CRgov.com/tax.

16. Is it allowable to have a wood burning fireplace in a new construction home?

No, you cannot install a wood burning fireplace in a new or existing structure. For more information, visit Town Municipal Code 8.28.30.

17. Why does the Town not enforce its illegal sign code? ...

Weekend home builder signs (Richmond, KB, DRHorton, Kaufman, etc.) I have previously raised this concern to Town Council, Town Manager, Planning/Zoning and was told that the Town does not have money in the budget to enforce. I don't believe this excuse when I see the Town "blow" $1.4M on an unnecessary round about.

Town staff enforcement illegal signs during normal business hours. This topic was discussed by Town Council, and it was determined that timeframe was the best use of resources. Town staff typically will do a sweep Friday afternoon and Monday morning to stay on top of illegal signs.

18. When are Town Council meetings?

Town Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Town Council can also schedule special meetings. Get details on meeting dates and times, and see what’s on the agenda, at CRgov.com/Council.

If you can’t attend in person, watch online or on TV. Town Council meetings are broadcast live at CRgov.com/WatchCouncil, where you can also find a recording of the meeting the next day. Town Council meetings are also broadcast on Channel 22 for Comcast Cable Subscribers several times each day.

View Council's current agenda.

19. How can I receive emails about Town happenings?

Your Town is excited to connect with you! Get information straight to your inbox by signing up for various email lists at CRgov.com/NotifyMe. Some lists are based on projects. For general updates, sign up for the “News and Announcements” listing. For all lists, look for a confirmation email from NoReply@CivicPlus.com.) Sign up for emails.

20. Where can I learn about events and open houses?

Check out CRgov.com/Events. There, you’ll find a calendar of upcoming events that includes everything from Town Council or Board and Commission meetings to special events, concerts, and neighborhood meetings or open houses. You can also sign up for emails from the calendar listings at CRgov.com/NotifyMe. See a calendar of events.

21. Is it possible to opt out of door-to-door solicitation?

The No Knock List allows residents to opt out of door-to-door solicitation and sales. Any issues with a solicitor not following the guidelines of the Town No Knock ordinance may be reported to the Castle Rock Police non-emergency line at 303-663-6100. If possible, contact the police while the solicitor is still in your neighborhood. Please note, civic, religious, charitable or political causes are not required to register with the Town or held accountable to the No Knock ordinance requirements. Learn more at crgov.com/NoKnock.

 

Learn about the No Knock List.

22. Does Castle Rock have a sister city?

No, Castle Rock does not have a sister city.