CASTLE PINES NORTH, Colo., Oct. 23, 2009 — After a public hearing, the Castle Pines North City Council voted unanimously to approve an annexation petition and development agreement with The Canyons at last night's City Council meeting.

The decision formally brings The Canyons into Castle Pines North, giving the city and citizens oversight of the planned development and adopting agreements, which expect to bring more than $45 million in tax revenue to the city during the life of the project.

"From the beginning of this 7-month process, Castle Pines North put a premium on community involvement and input to ensure our citizens were informed," says Mayor Maureen Shul. "I would like to thank our citizens for their passionate participation. This decision ensures an exciting and prosperous future for Castle Pines North and the people in our community."

In annexing The Canyons, City Council passed three ordinances that annex three parcels of land, totaling more than 3,300 acres, into Castle Pines North. In addition to approving a development agreement and vested rights, City Council approved planned development zoning of the property to allow for mixed-use development and up to 2,500 residences to provide a live, work, shop, play community.

Since receiving an annexation application from The Canyons in April, Castle Pines North city staff and representatives from The Canyons have made it a priority to communicate with citizens and promote an informed process. City staff also encouraged representatives from The Canyons to engage the community and keep citizens informed by hosting a series of open houses and informational meetings.

The annexation process consisted of a four-step procedure that ensured the petition complied with all statutory requirements. The four steps included:

1. Performing a substantial compliance hearing, completed April 23, 2009
2. Performing an eligibility hearing, completed June 11, 2009
3. Performing an ordinance hearing, completed Oct. 22, 2009
4. Performing initial zoning, completed Oct. 22, 2009

The Canyons is based around a set of sustainable principles and is being designed to conserve water and energy. Clean renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are being explored as a way to reduce impact on the environment.

Approximately 37 miles of walking and biking paths are being planned as well as a marketplace, which is envisioned to include shopping, dining, galleries, offices, a boutique hotel and residences around a public plaza. The residences are planned to include large-acreage estates, custom residences, portfolio homes, patio homes and marketplace residences – townhome, condominium and apartment living.

Owned by North Canyons, LLLP and Judge, Inc., The Canyons is a 3,344 acre community being developed on the east side of Interstate 25 from Castle Pines North. For more information, please visit www.TheCanyonsLiving.com.

Incorporated Feb. 12, 2008, Castle Pines North is a city of 10,000 located 20 miles south of Denver in Douglas County. For more information on Castle Pines North and to sign up for e-mail alerts about city news, visit www.castlepinesgov.com.