by Carin Kirkegaard

Douglas County Planning is reviewing referrals from neighboring homeowner associations regarding the proposed building of a two-story 26,000 square-foot church. Castle Pines Community Church purchased 12 acres of land that lies west of I-25, at the Surrey Ridge exit, and south of Clydesdale Road.

During the referral period, the plans for the church were distributed to the Beverly Hills Estates, Charter Oaks, Oak Hills, and Surrey Ridge Homeowner Associations for comments.

According to Douglas County Planning, key concerns from these groups include increase in traffic, significant noise and light pollution, and added stress to neighborhood water wells. The size of the proposed facility also raise concerns regarding the compatibility of an urban church in an equestrian community.

This parcel of land is zoned for agricultural development which allows for a church that does not exceed 350 members; however, the Castle Pines Community Church is planning a building which would accommodate 500. In order to build a place of worship that exceeds these numbers, a special review permit is needed by the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.

In this multi-step process, the county planning staff is now compiling these community comments and will make a decision on recommending the church’s plan to the Douglas County Planning Commission and then to the Board of County Commissioners. At press time, no recommendations have been made to either of these groups.

Once this recommendation occurs, public hearings will be scheduled allowing residents an opportunity to voice concerns before a final decision is made. Public notices will be mailed to abutting landowners, published in local newspapers, and posted on the property once this timeline is established. For further information about the County’s decision-making process regarding this development, visit their website at www.douglas.co.us/community/planning.

Currently, Castle Pines Community Church holds services at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School. For more information about the church, visit their website at www.castlepineschurch.org.

To find out more information on this project read the article published previously in The Connection