Developer addresses Highland residents' frustration

HIGHLAND (Daily Herald) -- Days ahead of a legal appeal, Highland residents packed a hearing on Saturday morning to voice their frustrations and concerns about a high-density housing subdivision.

In December, planning commissioners gave approval to a 160-unit subdivision of 3-story townhouses, to the surprise of at least some elected officials. Commissioners hadn't wanted to give approval, but were told by city staff they had no choice.

Saying the Planning Commission acted beyond their authority, Councilman Brian Braithwaite filed a legal appeal, which will take place on Thursday, he said. It was not immediately clear what time the appeal was scheduled to take place.

On Saturday, Braithwaite and Councilwoman Kathryn Schramm hosted the meeting with residents. Developer Grant Gifford addressed the crowd, and came away with a few metaphorical bruises.

"It's frustrating," he said after the meeting. "I've never built a project where everyone is throwing rocks at me."

Braithwaite told those gathered that while the city acknowledges the concerns of residents, Highland must also be fair to developers.

"We have to be fair to the people who own this property and we have to be willing to say we accept [something] so they feel they can buy a piece of property and do something without being lynched," Braithwaite said.

One resident in the audience encouraged the others to fight "70-foot buildings and high-density housing" by demanding change from elected officials.

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