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Highlands council approves package of parking, noise and fee ordinances and advances $3.0M bond plan
Summary
The Borough of Highlands adopted multiple ordinances and resolutions at its Aug. 20 meeting — including new decibel-based noise standards — and advanced a bond ordinance to first reading to fund capital improvements.
The Borough of Highlands mayor and council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at their Aug. 20 meeting, including new parking restrictions, fee changes, and a measure to set decibel-based noise limits, while advancing a bond amendment for capital projects to first reading.
Council members adopted O-25-15 on second and final reading to amend Chapter 11 (uniform fire code) related to appointment and qualifications of the fire official and inspectors. A separate ordinance to change no-parking hours on Waterwitch Avenue (O-25-16) was also approved on second and final reading, the clerk announced.
The council passed a group of ordinance introductions on first reading with public hearings set for Sept. 3, 2025: O-25-17, a bond ordinance amending O-23-10 that appropriates $3,035,000 for various capital improvements and authorizes issuance of approximately $2,979,000 in bonds and notes; O-25-18 to add no-parking restrictions on Bay Avenue; O-25-19, which establishes decibel-based sound level standards; O-25-20 to amend building and housing fees; O-25-21 to revise zoning and technical review fee schedules; and O-25-22 to opt the borough into the Garden State C-PACE program to facilitate financing of eligible projects. "Motion carries to pass O-25-17 on first reading with a public hearing to be held on 09/03/2025," the clerk stated when the bond ordinance was introduced.
The council also adopted Resolution R-25-157 permitting a one-time extension of sale hours for the Chubby Pickle on Sept. 27, 2025, to accommodate a private event. A consent agenda of resolutions R-25-158 through R-25-167 was approved, covering contract acceptance for the Bayside Drive and Marine Avenue improvements project, awards and renewals for professional services and park improvement contracts (including work at Overlook Park and Frank Hall Park), adoption of the Monmouth County multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan 2026, and routine fiscal authorizations.
Why it matters: The bond ordinance, if approved after public hearing and subsequent readings, would fund several capital projects the borough says are priorities, including park upgrades. The decibel-based standard (O-25-19) formalizes an enforcement metric the council referenced during public comment.
What they said: During introductions and votes the clerk repeatedly announced motions carried after members signaled assent. The presenter summarized capital and grant work planned for parks and sidewalks and said multiple grants would help fund the upcoming projects.
Next steps: The ordinances introduced on first reading will return for public hearings on Sept. 3, 2025, where the council will take further public comment and consider final adoption. The bond ordinance (O-25-17) will require later readings and vote to be enacted.
