Highland tackles moratorium issues

(Daily Herald) In an unusual meeting on Tuesday, Highland planning commissioners asked elected officials for reduced authority to approve development.

Highland's appointed Planning Commission and elected council members met in a joint session to hash out their concerns about the city's special requirements for development in the city center.

Work is now underway to build 160 three-story townhomes in the area, after months of controversy and legal action.

In December, planning commissioners here approved the townhome subdivision after being told by city staff they had no other choice. Council members decided to fight the decision and filed an appeal.

In early February, a judge ruled that according to city law, the Planning Commission indeed had no choice but to approve the subdivision. Days later, Highland council members placed a moratorium blocking similar subdivisions for six months to give them time to revamp city law.

Original Article