Parker approves purchase of small parcels for Hilltop–Parker Road intersection improvements

Parker Town Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing the town to purchase right of way and temporary construction easements needed for the Hilltop and Parker Road intersection improvement project.

The purchase — described by staff as a corner clip and landscaped-area easements totaling 396 square feet of permanent right of way and 1,514 square feet of temporary construction easement — is supported by an appraisal staff said “came back at $13,395 for this acquisition.” The council was told the funding for the purchase has been appropriated in the town’s 2025 Highway and Streets Capital Projects Fund.

The project will add a northbound right-turn lane on Parker Road, widen the Hilltop Road median to enable a double left-turn movement from westbound Hilltop to southbound Parker, and remove and realign median and curb areas to improve traffic flow. Patrick Burke, who presented the item, said the town had hired a right-of-way consultant and negotiated with three adjacent property owners; the temporary construction easement nearest Parker Road was already acquired, and negotiations with Core Electric and other owners were in progress.

Council members who questioned the presentation said the work addresses recurring stacking in the single left-turn lane and thanked public works staff for using capital funds to address traffic flow for residents. Councilmember Brandy Wilkes made the motion to approve, with Councilmember Laura Hefta seconding. The motion passed unanimously with the roll call recorded in the minutes.

The council was told the project cannot proceed without the ordinance approving the property acquisitions and that construction is anticipated to occur in late 2026, following design work expected to be completed in 2025.