Council, planners debate Longhorn parcel's future as residents push for larger lots and limited change

Highland officials, consultants and residents spent significant time discussing the future of the city's gateway parcel known in the meeting materials as the Longhorn property, a privately owned tract at the city's northwest entry. The property prompted the meeting's most sustained and contested remarks about whether to allow commercial frontage, what housing types are acceptable and how traffic and access would be handled.

Why it matters: The Longhorn parcel sits at a primary entrance to Highland and stakeholders said decisions there will shape perceptions of the city, affect traffic at the 6000 West intersection and likely draw future developer applications if the general plan lists commercial uses.

Public comment and residents' views: Resident Liz Rice, during the public-appearance period, asked officials to be cautious about changing development rules for the benefit of a single developer or a cell-tower installation, citing nearby examples of tall flagpole-like communications infrastructure. "I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying let's be careful…