Residents urge board to remove Hillview Lane from Harlan PUD; safety, tree canopy and infrastructure cited

Residents of Hillview Lane and nearby neighborhoods told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at a June 2025 work session that they oppose use of Hillview Lane to serve the proposed Harlan planned‑unit development (PUD).

Multiple speakers described Hillview Lane as a scenic, tree‑canopied rural lane and said the community and the lane’s character would be destroyed if the developer’s plan required new through‑traffic, sidewalks or widening. Several residents emphasized safety concerns, sharp S‑curves and steep grades on Hillview Lane that they said make it unsuitable as a connector to handle the 4,800 daily vehicle trips the development’s traffic study projects from the project (the traffic study estimate was cited by a speaker).

Why it matters: the Harlan PUD is a large subdivision proposal that would bring new housing and private streets near existing neighborhoods; the routing of vehicle access and requested public improvements have direct consequences for nearby residents, neighborhood character, and future right‑of‑way or condemnation questions.

Speakers asked the board to remove Hillview Lane from the development plan and to require infrastructure improvements before approving additional suburban build‑out. Among the comments:

- Multiple residents said the lane’s continuous tree canopy and “tree tunnel” are irreplaceable and that cutting to create sidewalks or add lanes would destroy that character. - A Heritage Foundation representative said preservation is important and that a sensitive solution should be found for the lane. The speaker urged cooperation between the developer and preservation stakeholders. - Speakers also raised infrastructure capacity and safety concerns on nearby Columbia Avenue and other corridors, urging the board to prioritize infrastructure before allowing heavy new vehicle loads from multiple developments. - One resident raised condemnation and eminent‑domain questions, asking whether required takings to widen or alter Hillview Lane would be appropriate for a private development and whether that qualifies as a public use.

Board and staff context: the mayor asked that staff presentations on related traffic and Hillview‑adjacent items be deferred to the board’s next meeting so public comments could be heard. Speakers acknowledged the board’s workload and said they expected further briefings and opportunities to comment as the PUD proceeds.

Ending: The board received public comment and the mayor indicated related staff briefings and any actions on the Harlan matter would be scheduled for the next meeting; residents asked the board to remove Hillview Lane from access plans, preserve the tree canopy, and ensure infrastructure is in place before subdividing the larger tract.