February 26 Update: Following a request by the City of Castle Pines, the applicant has agreed to modify the review timeline for the Crowsnest property annexation petition. The revised timeline will allow the applicant more time to address the City's questions regarding the application and for staff to provide a comprehensive analysis and review of the petition and negotiated documents, so that the City Council can make an informed policy decision on whether or not to approve the annexation.

The City of Castle Pines has received an updated petition from VT Crowfoot Valley Landco, LLC to annex a group of properties, known as Crowsnest, an approximately 795-acre property adjacent to and including portions of Crowfoot Valley Road east of the Canyons. The property is currently located in unincorporated Douglas County. See the map for an overview of the boundary for the land included in the petition.

The timeline for City Council consideration of an annexation is primarily determined by state law and requires a public hearing and the passage of an ordinance. Once a property is deemed eligible for annexation by meeting certain criteria under state law, the City Council will evaluate whether the annexation is beneficial to the City in making a final decision. If the property is annexed, the property must be zoned within 90 days.

Annexation is the process by which a municipality may incorporate additional land within its jurisdictional boundaries. The most common method of annexation is a petition from the landowner(s), which usually involves a negotiated agreement that sets forth the terms of annexation and obligations of the petitioning property owners and the municipality.

For more information, view the annexation application timeline below. If you have questions, contact the City's Community Development Director Donna Ferguson at Donna.Ferguson@CastlePinesCO.gov.

Annexation Petition Timeline:

The timeline below is tentative and subject to change.

• January 13: City Council approved a Substantial Compliance Resolution.
  • The purpose of the meeting was to consider a resolution on whether the City Council found the annexation petition in substantial compliance with state law (the requirements of the Municipal Annexation Act of 1965) and to set the Eligibility Hearing date for the proposed annexation. This is the first step in the annexation process; it does not mean that the City Council supports or opposes the policy question of whether the property should be annexed. It determines whether the petition complies with state law.
• February 24: City Council approved a resolution finding the property eligible for annexation.
  • The purpose of this meeting was to determine if the property was eligible for annexation. This is the second step in the annexation process; it does not mean that the City Council supports or opposes the policy question of whether the property should be annexed. It determines whether the property is eligible for annexation.
• March 26: The Planning Commission considers the applicant's proposed Planned Development zoning in order to make a recommendation for the City Council's consideration.
  • This Planned Development zoning item is a quasi-judicial process. The Planning Commission cannot discuss this specific matter outside the public hearing.
  • If you would like to provide public comment, you can speak in person at the meeting (virtual public comment is not allowed for quasi-judicial items) or submit a written comment by sending it to the City Clerk at Tobi@castlepinesco.gov. To be included in the packet, written comments must be received by the City Clerk by March 18 at 4:30 p.m.
• April 7: The City Council considers the following:
  • An ordinance to approve the annexation (first reading). This is a legislative process.
  • An ordinance to approve an annexation agreement (first reading). This is a legislative process.
  • An ordinance to approve the Planned Development zoning for the Crowsnest property (first reading).
    • This is a quasi-judicial process. City Council cannot discuss this specific matter outside the public hearing.
  • An ordinance on vested property rights (first reading). This is a legislative process.
  • If you would like to provide public comment, you can speak in person at the meeting (virtual public comment is not allowed for quasi-judicial items) or submit a written comment by sending it to the City Clerk at Tobi@castlepinesco.gov. To be included in the packet, written comments must be received by the City Clerk by April 1 at 4:30 p.m.
• April 28: City Council considers the following:
  • An ordinance to approve the annexation (second reading). This is a legislative process.
  • An ordinance to approve an annexation agreement (second reading). This is a legislative process.
  • An ordinance to approve the Planned Development zoning for the Crowsnest property (second reading).
    • This is a quasi-judicial process. City Council cannot discuss this specific matter outside the public hearing.
  • An ordinance on vested property rights (second reading). This is a legislative process.
  • If you would like to provide public comment, you can speak in person at the meeting (virtual public comment is not allowed for quasi-judicial items) or submit a written comment by sending it to the City Clerk at Tobi@castlepinesco.gov. To be included in the packet, written comments must be received by the City Clerk by April 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Resources:

• Annexation Petition
• Title Commitment Maps
• Landowner Authorization Letters
• Zoning Map
• Water Supply Evidence 
• Presubmittal Comments
• Presubmittal Comment Responses 
• Fiscal Impact Analysis - Prepared by Petitioner 
• Fiscal Impact Analysis Review - Prepared by City of Castle Pines Consultant
• Annexation Impact Report

The City received a second submittal from the applicant on February 9. The documents that were updated by the applicant are listed below:

• Zoning Narrative
• Planned Development Set
• Phase 1 Drainage Report and Plan
• Traffic Impact Study
• Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
• Natural Resources Assessment
• Planned Development Closure Report