Highland appeals approval for 160 townhomes

(Daily Herald) "Caught between the powers that be and the powers that be."

That is how the developer of a controversial Highland townhome subdivision described his frustration on Thursday as the Highland council argued that planning commissioners did not have authority to approve the buildings.

The developer's predicament is unusual because the city is essentially legally appealing itself. The council filed an appeal against the planning commission's decision, leaving the developer in limbo, at least for now. A decision on Thursday's appeal is expected in one to two weeks from attorney Michael Walch, who acted as judge in the procedure.

Being stuck between two powers, both insisting they are in charge, is a frustrating place to be, developers said.

"We certainly feel an element of frustration being caught between the powers that be and the powers that be," said developer Grant Gifford. "We were informed that our project had been approved by the city of Highland. We have subsequently made all kinds of decisions that have cost us, based on comments from the planning commission."

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