Council hears state input on modern income housing; ADUs and senior housing remain part of ongoing planning

Staff briefed the council on the moderate/modern income housing (MIH) element of the draft plan. Staff said the city intends to keep the three strategies Highland selected from the state MIH menu and add new action items to continue implementation. The mayor described a recent call with Steve Waldrop, a state official working on MIH, and said Waldrop was surprised at some of Highland's implemented measures and expressed interest in touring the city.

Councilors discussed accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached ADUs as options the city has already begun to examine. They also revisited the idea that some larger undeveloped parcels — notably the Longhorn area — could be appropriate locations for “thoughtfully designed senior housing,” though council members emphasized that the draft general plan’s land‑use map is not intended to pre‑adopt zoning that would allow higher density. Rob, the staff presenter, said the draft includes language describing a favored vision for Longhorn that preserves large lots and open space while acknowledging senior housing could be a compatible option if designed to protect scenic views and river buffers.

No policy change was adopted at the meeting. The council asked staff to retain the MIH strategies already selected and to reflect continued work and specific implementation items in the full draft plan so the public and stakeholders can review proposed actions.