Townhomes in Highland causing rift

HIGHLAND (Deseret News) — Developers claim that a townhome project in Highland is getting the run-around from elected officials.

After the city's planning commission approved the 162-unit project in December, the City Council filed an appeal against the commission, arguing it did not have the authority to green-light the project.

Now, both the council and developers are waiting to hear back from the city's board of adjustment, which listened to complaints at a hearing last week.

"We were blindsided by this," said developer Grant Gifford, who presented the 7.14-acre subdivision, named Toscana, to the City Council Tuesday. "I've never had this happen before. We're not afraid of the City Council. We were just firmly told, 'You've been approved.' "

City council members, though, are concerned that residents didn't have a chance to weigh in on the subdivision.

Brian Braithwaite, the councilman who filed the appeal, also is concerned that sections of city code were violated when the commission granted approval.

"Mostly, what I'm concerned about is the process that got us to this point," said Councilwoman Kathryn Schramm.

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