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1. Is the ice rink being removed from downtown? (Full question posted in the response.)

Question: Is the ice rink being removed from downtown? I thought keeping the ice rink was part of the agreement that the Perry Street Social District was approved upon. An online thread claims the ice rink is being removed due to monetary constraints. Is this true? Can the town help to keep the ice rink there? The ice rink is a key and beloved feature of downtown.

The ice rink, and the private property it sits on, were purchased by a private developer. The original plan for Perry Street Social was to keep the rink in operation; however, the current owner has determined it is not possible for them to do that. They have sold the shade structure and are redesigning their building layout to include a smaller patio area in the location of the ice rink. The Town does not own the rink structure or the land and cannot require the private land owner to operate the rink.

Posted Aug. 28, 2023

2. What are the height restrictions for buildings in Downtown?

Allowable building height depends on where the building is located Downtown.

There are three districts in Downtown - the Core District, and the North and South districts. The Downtown Core District is bounded by Fifth Street on the north, the railroad tracks on the east, Second Street on the south and Interstate 25 on the west. Building height in the Downtown Core District is limited to four stories, with a maximum height of 60 feet. A landowner may request one additional floor, with a corresponding increase in building height, in the Downtown Core District. The Design Review Board, which has the authority to review building heights in Downtown, may, at its discretion, grant an additional floor request after considering the following criteria:

• Whether the project will incorporate design elements found in adjacent landmark structures
• The impacts of the increased building height on adjacent properties

The North District is bounded by Wolfensberger Road on the north, the railroad tracks on the east, Fifth Street on the south and I-25 on the west. The South District is bounded by Second Street on the north, the railroad tracks on the east, the Safeway shopping center on the south and I-25 on the east. Building height in the North and South districts is limited to six stories, with no maximum height limitation. The Board, at its discretion, may grant two additional floors in these districts.

3. If the town approves The View, an enormous apartment complex in north downtown, will there be an improvement made to the intersection of Wilcox and Eighth st?

The Traffic Impact Analysis for The View - prepared by a licensed traffic engineer and reviewed by the Town's traffic planner - indicates that allowed movements at the Wilcox/Eight streets intersection (referred to in the analysis as the Wilcox/Jerry streets intersection) may need to be limited in the future.

The study says the Public Works Department may ultimately wish to disallow left turns from Eighth/Jerry onto Wilcox, to head north, in order to maintain performance levels at that intersection.

Posted Feb. 16, 2021

4. Is it true that the block with the B&B cafe has been bought out by developers and has plans to be redeveloped as a high rise? What other high-rises are in the works for downtown?

Do we have a plan of open space to acquire to provide that land for these downtown residents to access? Could we ask developers to dedicate open space elsewhere in town, as close to downtown at possible, to provide open space for this population that they’re bringing to town?

Regarding B&B Cafe, Town staff is not aware of a change of ownership, nor any new development plans for this area. We’d recommend you contact the business directly for confirmation. View the Development Activity Map for information on all active development projects.

Since 2008, the goals for Downtown Castle Rock have included having a welcoming, friendly Downtown core; enhancing the area's historic character; providing easy access to trails and open spaces; and ensuring public spaces and event areas that are family friendly.

These goals were outlined in the 2008 Downtown Master Plan - a 20-year plan for the evolution of Downtown Castle Rock. Work on the plan began in 2006 and was guided by an advisory commission, along with input from more than 600 community members. Adding residential uses Downtown has been an important part of this plan also, as residents Downtown help support our small businesses.

View the entire Downtown Master Plan (PDF).

Planning for parks and open space, current facilities and acreages, and plans for future needs, can be seen in our Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PDF). The Town currently owns and manages approximately 3,000 acres of open space, which along with Douglas County and HOA-owned open space, accounts for about 28% of Castle Rock's total land area. This percentage will grow to over 30% in the future. In addition, Castle Rock will continue to meet the Municipal Code requirement of 8 acres per 1,000 residents for parkland as the community grows.

Castle Rock residents living Downtown have direct access to extensive open space areas along the East Plum Creek Trail and nearby parks, including Festival Park and the Douglas County Fairgrounds by way of the Sellars Gulch Trail.

Updated Dec. 29, 2022

5. I heard that the Emporium and the Barn are being turned into apartments. Is that true?

As of August 2022, there are no formal land use applications or pre-application meetings scheduled for the Barn or the Emporium properties. Any such proposal would require a site plan that would go before the Town's Design Review Board. Stay up-to-date on land-use public hearings by subscribing to the Public Notices calendar.

Updated Aug. 31, 2022

6. Can landowners demolish Downtown buildings?

Buildings built in the historic Downtown area before 1945, or buildings that have a landmark designation, require a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Board if they are historic landmark properties and approval from Town Council before they can be demolished.  If the building was built after 1945 and is not eligible for landmark designation, the owner must obtain a demolition permit from the Development Services Department.

When reviewing a demolition request, the Board and Council use the following criteria:

• Whether the property is currently landmarked and/or would be able to achieve landmark status
• If the property is void of features of architectural and/or historical significance and/or integrity
• Whether the effect of demolition would be positive or negative on adjacent properties or the Downtown district
• If the deterioration of the property has progressed to the point where it’s not economically feasible to rehabilitate the property
• Whether moving the building been investigated and is demolition a feasible option