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Neighbors warn new Highlands commercial plan would funnel interstate traffic into Erie neighborhoods
Summary
Residents near the planned Highlands commercial site told the council the project appears oriented to draw interstate traffic—naming national drive-through tenants—and urged traffic-calming measures and a use consistent with the neighborhood mixed-use designation.
Residents of Erie Highlands told the Town Council they fear a recently proposed commercial plan will bring high-impact drive-through businesses and heavy traffic onto neighborhood streets.
"The businesses that have submitted applications include a McDonald's, a Valvoline, a Kwik Trip...at an estimated 3,000 plus cars a day," said Taran Ganglani during public comment, warning that the project as presented would not match the neighborhood mixed-use (NMU) designation and would harm pedestrian safety.
Sarah Morgan, another Highlands resident, said she was surprised that the council and planning commission appeared unable to stop the proposal or alter the zoning and asked how residents were just now learning of the developer's intent. "While I understand the need for more local businesses in our community, I do not support the goal of bringing interstate traffic into our neighborhood," she said.
Mira Sternberg and other neighbors asked for specific safety upgrades — flashing crosswalks, 4-way stops, additional speed-limit signage, and speed bumps — because nearby schools and children use the streets to walk and bike.
Council response and context: Mayor Moore asked staff to provide a memo updating council on unresolved questions about development timing and road access. Planning Commission Chair Ben Hemphill later reported the commission continues to review land-use applications and is working on UDC alignment with the town's comprehensive plan; no formal council decision on rezoning or traffic mitigation was taken at this meeting.
Why it matters: Residents said the current concept would shift the character of the NMU-designated site toward interstate-serving uses rather than small, neighborhood-oriented businesses. If true, that runs counter to the NMU purpose quoted in public comment: "to provide small, compact commercial centers...compatible in scale and character with surrounding residential uses." Neighbors asked the council to insist on measures to preserve walkability and safety.
What's next: Mayor asked staff for follow-up and a memo; residents said they will submit materials for the public record and asked the planning department and council to ensure the NMU zoning intent is honored.
