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Highland planning commission prioritizes ADUs, trail wayfinding, utility undergrounding and other work-plan items
Summary
Commissioners agreed on a set of topics to present to City Council for prioritization, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), trail signage/visibility, fence/setback clarifications, undergrounding utilities when feasible, a road-improvement/sidewalk audit and placemaking/entrance enhancements.
The Highland City Planning Commission spent the latter half of its meeting reviewing a "laundry list" of topics to take to City Council for prioritization. Commissioners sought alignment with council before directing staff to pursue substantial code work, and they asked staff to prepare a shared document so commissioners can collaboratively redline proposed ADU language.
Top topics the commission agreed to include in the list: accessory dwelling units (ADUs) (with a homework assignment for commissioners to propose preferred size/density), trail wayfinding and signage to improve usability, clarifications to setbacks and themed-wall fencing materials, potential policies or funding strategies for undergrounding existing power lines, an updated road-improvement plan and sidewalk audit for transparency, and downtown/entrance placemaking (monuments, lighting, coordinated signage). Commissioners also discussed dark-sky/downlighting practices and flagged accessory-structure-size loopholes for further research.
Why it matters: These items affect long-term development patterns, walkability and public safety, and they may carry budget implications (for example, undergrounding utilities as part of road projects). Commissioners emphasized prioritization and asked for practical, narrow fixes where possible so staff time is used efficiently.
Process and next steps: Staff (Rob) will create an editable document for commissioners to comment on ADU standards; commissioners agreed to return redlines two weeks before the next meeting. The commission plans to present the prioritized list to City Council as a set of discussion items, seeking council guidance on which items to pursue. Staff noted scheduling details and that the next planning commission meeting is shifted to March 31 due to calendar changes.
