Council reviews draft general plan, sets Nov. 24 comment deadline ahead of Dec. 2 adoption vote

Consultants from Landmark and Hales Engineering presented a draft update to the Highland general plan, describing required elements — land use, transportation, water, and moderate‑income housing — and the public process to date. The draft reflects roughly 18 months of workshops, open houses and planning commission review; planning‑commission changes were incorporated and commissioners recommended the draft for council consideration.

Consultants and staff asked council members to submit edits and written comments by Nov. 24 so staff could prepare a packet for a Dec. 2 public hearing and possible adoption. Council members raised several points for staff and the consultants to check and clarify before final action: acreage and ownership mapping in the USDC/canal corridor, whether parts of the identified area are owned by state or federal agencies (BLM/Central Utah Water Project easements), the extent and form of commercial versus residential land use in northern parcels, and the design and cross‑section proposed for Canal Boulevard (including whether proposed double‑turn lanes would widen the roadway and affect bike lanes and neighborhood character).

Traffic‑engineering representatives explained that modeling accounting for planned regional connections (including a funded 700 North connection) informs the corridor recommendation; they noted 2050 traffic projections that would otherwise push Canal Boulevard over capacity. Council asked staff to collect and present any updated mapping corrections and to ensure the public can comment; staff offered a public PDF comment tool and said the council will hold a public hearing at the Dec. 2 meeting prior to adoption.