Highland votes to add commercial retail zone

HIGHLAND — Highbrow Highland will soon be home to 17 new acres of commercial development, but the city's decision to add a retail zone to their general plan wasn't an easy one.

After listening to multiple public hearings and discussions on the subject, Highland's City Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 to update the city's general plan to add a commercial retail zone at the corner of 11000 North, also known as state Route 92, and Alpine Highway, which is also known as state Route 74.

"The council weighed in and had lots of different viewpoints, and I think that mirrors what the residents feel," said Highland Mayor Jay Franson. "So to have a split vote is not to have a negative thing, in my mind. I think it's a very positive thing."

According to a city-sponsored survey of residents several months ago, about 47 percent of residents were opposed to adding more commercial space to Highland, while about 53 percent were in favor. About 24 percent of Highland's nearly 14,000 residents completed and returned the survey.

Residents were divided in their opinion, and City Council members were also divided at the council meeting on Tuesday night.

Some council members pointed out that the proposed increased retail zone could bring an additional $200,000 to the city, but others said Highland should be a haven from heavy retail areas.

"The reason I came to Highland is the same reason other people have come here — because there's a peacefulness out here that you can't come by easily," said City Councilwoman Kathryn Schramm. "I don't want to give that up."

Schramm and Councilman Brian Brunson voted against the motion, while Councilwoman Claudia Stillman and Councilmen Steve King and Glen Vawdry voted in favor of the zone change.

"We need more sales revenue," Stillman said. "We could raise property taxes again, but it would be nice not to have to do that."

Council members also said they prefer to keep all of the commercial businesses in the city in the same location. The city's existing town center is across the street, which is a major thoroughfare for Alpine and Highland.

The city already has plans for the corner, which is currently an empty field. Thomas Fox Properties has submitted plans to the city for a shopping center that will be called Highland Marketplace. According to Tom Hulbert, managing partner of the development company, the project should be under way early next year, with the first stores open in late fall.