The Highlands Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 21, 2025, voted to conditionally approve a site plan for a retail building proposed at 2150 Village Parkway, known in the application as Highland Village Phase 2.

Autumn Amen, community development coordinator, told the commission the application seeks renewal of a previously approved plan for Lot 7B, Block 2 in the Marketplace at Highland Village. Amen said the proposed building is approximately 12,203 square feet, will use the same exterior materials as Phase 1, and that city staff found the submittal conforms with the PD ordinance that governs the marketplace. "We do find the proposed site plan does conform with city ordinances," Amen said.

Amen reviewed the site's history: an original site plan approval in October 2017 expired for lack of timely development; a December 2021 approval likewise expired when development did not start within one year. Staff noted a prior request to add a drive-through was denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission and city council; the current submittal does not include a drive-through.

During discussion, commissioners raised an egress question for the northmost suite (Suite 5). Commissioners and staff identified that the proposed rear elevation showed only a single door for the suite and asked whether the design would require an additional exterior egress. A representative for the property owner deferred technical detail to a site engineer who was not present. The commission moved to conditionally approve the site plan "as presented with the condition of adding an exterior back door or egress to Suite Number 5," with the condition to be addressed prior to the item going to city council. One commissioner noted the requirement should be applied "if required per code."

The motion passed on members indicating "aye." The commission’s recommendation, including the condition about Suite 5 egress, will be forwarded to city council for final action.

No formal sign or tenant names for the new building were finalized at the hearing; Amen said signage will be regulated by ordinance and that applicants may request additional signage at site-plan review as had been done for prior submittals.