IMPORTANT!: PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 20, 2026 — YOUR TESTIMONY NEEDED
County Will Decide Land Disposal of Meridian Village Property to Developer Shea Properties
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (Rescheduled - previously on Oct 13th)
Time: 2:30 P.M. (Arrive by 2:00 P.M.)
Location: Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
CRITICAL TIMING ISSUE
⚠️ WARNING: The hearing is not yet listed on the official Douglas County Meetings & Agendas page. Attend and testify. Do not wait for an agenda to be posted.
What's at Stake
Douglas County will decide whether to transfer publicly-owned land (corner of Ridgegate Pkwy and Meridian Village Pkwy) to developer Shea Properties. This land disposal decision is the gateway to approving a 150-unit apartment complex on land designated for park and recreation.
The 5 Critical Questions Commissioners Must Answer
Under Colorado law, the Board of County Commissioners must apply six statutory standards before approving any land disposal. Community members should testify on whether Shea Properties meets these standards—specifically:
Is the proposed use truly "suitable" for this location? The property was designated as park/recreation space. No full development plan has been publicly vetted. How can the Board evaluate "suitable use" before seeing traffic impacts, parking, utilities, and neighborhood effects?
Will this transfer actually serve the public interest? The County is transferring public land to a private developer for "income-restricted housing." What affordability restrictions exist? Are they permanent? What is Shea Properties' profit model on a project funded with public grants?
Is the procedural sequencing backwards? The land disposal application was submitted August 3, 2026—before the development plan was complete. Shouldn't the Board see the full project plan before deciding to give away public land?
Can the Board honestly certify "no adverse effect on public safety"? Without a finalized traffic study, parking analysis, and utility capacity review, how can the Board claim there are no adverse safety or infrastructure effects?
What affordability terms actually restrict this land long-term? If the deed is not restricted with permanent affordability covenants, the developer could eventually convert to market-rate housing. Does the Board require deed restrictions as a condition of land disposal?
How You Can Testify
✓ You have 2 minutes to speak (per Douglas County's Speaking Guide)
✓ Testify on any of the six statutory land disposal standards
✓ Address specific concerns: traffic, parking, utilities, neighborhood character, affordability terms, sequencing, public interest
✓ Submit written comments if you cannot attend (deadline will be announced)
Prepare Your Testimony
Review the ZR2026-008 development plan documents at DC Planning Pro (www.douglascounty.legistar.com
Read the six statutory land disposal standards (Colorado Revised Statutes § 30-11-104.7)
Reference the 1,936-person petition opposing rezoning: change.org/keepzoning
Watch community context: youtube.com/keepmeridianzoning
Why This Matters
This is not just a local zoning fight. This is about whether developers can use public funding (affordable housing grants, tax credits) to circumvent standard planning review and override community decisions about land use.
The Board has discretion to approve or deny. Your testimony matters. Testimony goes into the public record. It forces the Board to either address your concerns or explicitly ignore them in writing.
Spread the Word
Share this notice with neighbors, colleagues, friends
Confirm the hearing date directly with Douglas County Planning: 303.660.7460
Tag #KeepMeridianZoning on social media
The Board of County Commissioners decides on October 20. Be there. Be heard.
Questions? Contact Douglas County Planning Services
Trevor Bedford, AICP | tbedford@douglasco.gov | 303.814.4372