News-Press DCCR 5-16-13
Castle Rock
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 8
May 16, 2013
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
Urban renewal authority gets OK Castle Rock paves way for developers By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com The Town of Castle Rock approved an urban renewal authority, opening the door to property owners interested in new development. Councilmembers on May 7 voted unanimously to approve the authority, designed to trigger economic development in Castle Rock. Formation of an urban renewal au-
thority is the first step in a process in which property owners can request a declaration that a property is blighted, and therefore eligible for an urban renewal area and plan. If approved, a proposed urban renewal area and its accompanying plan could qualify for tax increment financing. Tax increment financing allows the authority to collect the additional property taxes generated from improvements made on the property, and to use that money to pay for a portion of those improvements. Supporters of the URA measure called it a tool for triggering economic development in Castle Rock.
Detractors called it another layer of government that gives developers an unfair market advantage. The proof will lie in the structure of deals that remain to be seen, said Mark Stevens, town manager. “You can have all the Gray radical arguments you want … but the only real way to get at that is to have a project, run it past council, run it past the urban renewal authority and make a decision based on the merits of that proposal,” Stevens said. “I
don’t know how you could debate the merits of possible proposals unless you do the work.” Stevens worked with Castle Rock’s economic development council to research the possibility of a URA as an option to address the town’s shortage of commercial and industrial space. The council in 2012 pointed out the town is losing businesses to other municipalities because Castle Rock has run out of options for development. Frank Gray, president of the economic development council, said the land is availRenewal continues on Page 17
Town signs water deal WISE partnership includes 10 providers By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com
Shawn McWorther, a firefighter with Castle Rock Fire and Rescue, prepares to rappel down a ledge May 7 during rope rescue training outside of Castle Rock. Atop the ledge, Ryan Bray, a firefighter with the Franktown Fire Protection District, provides assistance. Photos by Rhonda Moore
Firefighters practice rope rescues Agencies heed lessons of Castlewood Canyon By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com
Shawn Schaffner, a firefighter/paramedic with the Larkspur Fire Protection District, observed a lesson in knot-tying during a multi-agency rope rescue training.
A Christmas Day rescue, which called on a team of 20, prompted local fire agencies to boost their training on steep-terrain rope rescues. Castle Rock Fire and Rescue joined agencies from Elizabeth, Franktown and Larkspur on May 7 to hone their skills on climbing cliffs such as those in Castlewood Canyon State Park. Castlewood Canyon was the site of a Christmas 2012 rescue that required the help of Douglas County’s search and rescue team. The team was joined by Franktown firefighters to rescue a 20-year-old man who had fallen about 50 feet when he slipped near the park waterfalls. While the man was brought to safety Rescue continues on Page 17
Castle Rock Town Council became the latest water provider to sign on to the Water Infrastructure and Supply Efficiency agreement, joining the WISE partnership with a unanimous vote of approval. The partnership is made up of 10 water providers from Douglas and Arapahoe counties that are members of the South Metro Water Supply Authority. The WISE partnership has negotiated a long-term purchase agreement to buy renewable water from the cities of Denver and Aurora. Castle Rock joined the WISE partnership on May 7 with a commitment to buy 1,000 acre-feet of water per year. The WISE partners include Castle Rock, Centennial Water and Sanitation, and the Parker, Dominion and additional water and sanitation or metropolitan districts. The WISE agreement commits the partners to purchase 70,000 acre-feet of water over a 10-year period, or an average of 7,000 acre-feet of water each year. The Parker Water and Sanitation District on May 23 is expected to vote on the matter, said Mark Stevens, Castle Rock town manager. “This is a historic moment for the town,” said Mark Marlowe, Castle Rock utilities director. “It is securing our long-term renewable water. Any renewable water project that brings water from outside of town is Water continues on Page 17
lOng-term water cOsts The following chart outlines the anticipated impact to Castle Rock customers on the residential combined monthly water and water resources payment as a result of the town’s long-term water projects. The projects include WISE, the Plum Creek water purification facility, Rueter-Hess Reservoir and the purchase of additional renewable water from the Stillwater/Box Elder agreement. Average bill: 2025: $93.83 2013: $69.91 2030: $108.89 2015: $73.48 2040: $154.15 2020: $83.29 2050: $186.33 Source: The Town of Castle Rock utilities department.