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Adjacents to Highlands on Clinton raise safety, drainage and access concerns about planned phase
Summary
Neighbors adjacent to the Highlands on Clinton subdivision told the commission they are worried a proposed emergency access road will become a public cut-through, that Elkins Road is single-lane dirt and cannot safely handle new traffic, and that construction runoff and oversized vehicles threaten safety and property.
A pair of residents who live adjacent to the Highlands on Clinton subdivision (also referenced as Highland Trails phase 2 in planning records) appeared at the Dade City meeting to raise concerns about a new road and site access, drainage and safety.
Travis Lawhorn, who lives at 12045 Elkins Road, said the new road alignment is about 30 feet from his driveway and that, with heavy rains, clay from the site washes onto the road. Lawhorn said Elkins Road is a single-lane dirt road used by tractors, RVs and livestock and asked whether the emergency access road would be gated or paved. “If there's no gate at the top of it nor at Elkins Road ... there's no way they're gonna be able to go up and down Elkins Road,” he said.
City staff and planning staff in the meeting provided procedural context: the preliminary plan for Highland Trails Phase 2 went to the planning board in June and was tabled. A planning-board meeting is scheduled for July 2, and staff suggested Lawhorn contact the applicant’s planner or planning staff for details. Staff also said the developer had discussed an emergency gate mechanism during earlier review, but Lawhorn was advised to follow up with planning staff for confirmation.
Lawhorn asked who is inspecting and holding the developer accountable for entrance design and for erosion control; staff invited him to provide contact information so the city can follow up. The commission did not take formal action on the project at the meeting; the planning-board and preliminary-approval processes will determine whether design changes, gates or road improvements are required.
Clarifying detail: staff said Highland Trails phase 2 preliminary plan was tabled by the planning board in June and will return to planning-board consideration; public notice for the next planning-board meeting will be provided.
Next steps: residents were advised to contact planning staff for the applicant’s planner contact information; the planning board will revisit the preliminary plan on July 2 and the city will circulate notices for that meeting.
