CASTLE ROCK — About 150 people filled the Douglas County Planning Commission meeting Monday night to voice their opinions about the proposed Sterling Ranch development.
The meeting before the planning commission had been continued to Monday night after two days of hearings last week.
Many in the crowd stated their displeasure with the project over water, density and infrastructure concerns.
Sterling Ranch developers are appealing the county’s policy of requiring that developers already have all their water supply for the project secured. Many counties require that in stages as the project is developed.
“We need documented evidence of a water plan,” said Douglas County resident Christine Hashimoto. “I’m concerned about proceeding with rezoning while the necessary water is not here.”
The public hearing was still in progress late Monday night, so it was expected to be continued until Wednesday. At that point, the commission will likely make a ruling on an appeal by Sterling Ranch developers regarding the water issue as well as consider rezoning the land.
Sterling Ranch is a 3,400-acre project south of Chatfield State Park, east of Roxborough Park, west of U.S. 85 along West Titan Road and north of agricultural land in the Chatfield Valley area.
As envisioned, when Sterling Ranch is built out in 20 years, it is expected to be home to 31,000 people living in more than 12,050 homes in villages that are surrounded by open space.
More than a third of the development is planned for open space, with 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
One-third of the property will be for housing, and the rest will be developed with retail and office space, schools and a sports village.
Harold Smethills, managing director for Sterling Ranch, said the project will have plenty of water, but that it will come in stages. It will use just one-third of the water traditionally required by residential projects in Douglas.
It also will be the state’s first rainwater harvesting test site.
“We already own water and have access to other water,” he said. “We have several major water options.”
The project will contribute to the county’s finances. Some 1,000 construction jobs are expected every year of the project and 9,000 permanent jobs, according to Sterling Ranch. At build-out it is expected to contribute $400 million annually, the developer said.
Several spoke out in favor of the project.
“I believe it will contribute to the health of our local economy,” said Jody Randall, who owns land near West Titan Road.
Others said it was vague and would add too much density to that rural part of the county.
“We emphatically want to voice our strong opposition to this project,” said Michael Gass of the Cherokee Ridge Metropolitan District.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
