Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves amended HTO site plan for Highland Village Town Center
Summary
The Highlands Planning and Zoning Commission approved an amended detailed site plan for an HTO tea shop at 2270 Justin Road, reducing building size, adding two drive‑through stacking lanes and an eight‑foot sidewalk to meet the city—s updated comprehensive plan.
The Highlands Planning and Zoning Commission approved an amended detailed site plan for an HTO tea shop at 2270 Justin Road in the Highland Village Town Center at its meeting. Commissioners voted to accept the revised plans after city staff and the applicant described changes to building size, circulation and pedestrian improvements.
The plan reduces the building footprint from 2,553 square feet to 2,168 square feet and adds two drive‑through stacking lanes with a one‑way traffic flow in front of the building, according to city staff. Autumn Amen, community development coordinator, told commissioners the applicant will "construct an 8 foot sidewalk along 407. This is to comply with our updated comprehensive plan that was updated and approved February of 2023. The trail master plan portion." Amen also said the city attorney prepared a resolution for the commission's consideration.
Monica Pomeroy, director of development services with InterPlan, said the project was previously approved in 2022 and the applicant reduced the size "for a smaller impact, mostly to reduce the costs, the construction costs." Pomeroy described exterior elevations as "majority of the building is white, along with the accent of composite wood on the front elevation." Shane Clark, an HTO representative, said the proposed store is roughly the same size as other HTO locations in the area.
Commissioners asked about operations and traffic. Clark said most deliveries arrive on "18 wheeler with, with a lift gate" and that drivers often use the front automatic sliding door when site layout permits. He said customers can enter the store for counter service and retail; there are no seats. Clark described typical busiest periods as an afternoon "happy hour" and estimated peak stacking of roughly 10–12 cars at high volume locations.
Staff said the applicant met landscape requirements carried over from the prior approval, including the 50 percent foundation plantings and the required tree list. Commissioners also asked about signage and the change from a franchise to corporate ownership; Amen said there was no material impact to the city from that ownership change.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to accept minutes from the Jan. 21 meeting — moved and seconded; motion passed. (Record in transcript: motion made and recorded as passed.) - Motion to approve the amended detailed site plan for Lot 1, Block A, Highland Village Town Center, Section 1 (2270 Justin Road) as presented — moved and seconded; passed unanimously.
The commission closed public comment with no speakers and approved the site plan as presented. Autumn Amen announced the next regular planning and zoning meeting is scheduled for March 18.
