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Councilman Chris Higgins outlines Harwood strategic planning priorities including possible natural gas expansion and affordable housing
Summary
At a March 16 Strategic Planning Committee meeting, Councilman Chris Higgins presented a list of potential priorities — from a possible natural gas rollout within three years to flood-diversion efforts, sidewalks, and community amenities such as a senior center and affordable housing. No formal votes were taken.
Councilman Chris Higgins called the City of Harwood Strategic Planning Committee to order March 16 and opened a preliminary discussion of issues the committee will examine as it sets goals and recommendation processes for the coming years.
Higgins listed a set of agenda topics for committee follow-up, including a possible natural gas extension “suspected in the next 3 years,” curb and gutter projects, sidewalks, drainage concerns (ditches, culverts and flow maps), coordination with Metrocog, and a diversion project aimed at altering FEMA flood-map designations. He also identified land-use questions — where the city should locate development zones and how incoming proposals should be approved — and longer-term community items such as a senior community center, affordable housing, and the prospect of building a school.
The councilman noted several streetscape and safety preferences the committee will consider, including avoiding LED streetlights, adding flags to light poles, installing stop signs with flashing lights where appropriate, and replacing or adding “New Harwood” signs. Higgins also flagged items for technical clarity, asking the committee to define evaluation metrics (noted in the agenda as “where and how ET goes and is measured”) and to consider how to limit use of special assessments the city wishes to avoid.
Auditor Chayla Hansen was recorded in attendance; a roster of public attendees was read into the record. The session was introductory in nature: the committee set topics for future meetings but recorded no motions, votes, or formal assignments during this session. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for May 20 at 6 p.m.
The Strategic Planning Committee will be expected to follow up on the listed topics with staff reports, feasibility studies, and formal recommendations at future meetings; no deadlines or funding amounts were specified during the March 16 discussion.
