Residents press Highlands commission to tighten UDO height definition and restore blocked sidewalk near new hotel

A Highlands resident urged the board during public comment to amend the town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) definition of building height and to require immediate restoration of a chained‑off sidewalk near the new hotel.

Michael King (1130 Hickory Hill Road) told the board the UDO currently defines height as the vertical distance from the established grade at the center front of a structure to its highest point. "That height definition should be amended to state height is the vertical distance from the lowest elevation of the structure to the highest point of the structure roof or parapet," King said, arguing the change would prevent taller buildings being sited on inclined lots to skirt the 35‑foot limit. He cited a hotel he said measures 45 to 48 feet and asked the town to require a developer to reestablish the old sidewalk until the developer constructs the new one required by its permit.

King also urged greater public engagement at earlier hearings, saying low attendance at prior zoning and commission hearings reduced opportunities for citizen input. The board did not take action on the UDO wording at the meeting and encouraged residents to follow up with staff and attend future hearings.