Increased traffic and safety concerns drove a good portion of the Highlands Board of Commissioners meeting last week.
During the public comment period, residents of Cullasaja Drive shared their concerns about the Riverwalk development, with much of the focus being on the flow of construction vehicles, which were related to residents’ concerns about safety.
Developer Dustin Hirschfeld tried to allay concerns, noting that traffic should instead be directed through the main entrance on Highway 64.
Mayor Patrick Taylor said he had not noticed any “intense increase in traffic” in the area during the past year. He acknowledged that people are building new homes, remodeling homes and having landscaping done on Cullasaja Drive, all of which account for “a lot of trucks and vehicles that are coming to do those kinds of functions.”
Taylor also said town staff has taken steps in response to the concerns raised in the petition regarding traffic and construction within the Riverwalk subdivision, such as ongoing communication with residents.
Parking issues
The board discussed changes in parking regulations. Unregulated parking along the southside of Main Street, from Second to First streets, will be changed to unrestricted.
The unregulated spaces on the north side of Spring Street near the EV charging station will be converted to employee-restricted parking. There will also be two time-restricted spaces for the day care at the Episcopal Church for drop-off and pick-up times. Parking will be prohibited from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Club seeks partnership
The Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau proposed a partnership for a permanent facility in Highlands, suggesting the town provide land and support while the club will handle fundraising and operations.
“The club board determined that we needed our own Highlands campus,” said Mike Kistner, who serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club. “It was important enough for our kids to have their own campus and … thanks to Tom Neal and the hospital for providing some unoccupied office space at the hospital, which allowed us to open up the facility.”
The club has positioned itself not just as a childcare facility, but also as a youth development organization. Kistner added that the club focuses on academic success, health and character development, offering various programs including tutoring and healthy eating initiatives.
“Children that would never have an opportunity to be a member of a club, but to see the opportunity presented to them to have that distinction of being a member, to watch the staff work with these kids is incredible to see first-hand,” Kistner said. “The academic programs, the development programs that occur there every day — it is truly, truly special,” he said.
In other business:
• The Dog Mountain water line project was approved, with Stilwell Enterprises awarded the bid at $2.56 million. Construction is expected to begin September at the earliest.
• End-of-year budget amendments were approved to compensate for increased insurance coverage. “We weren’t covered enough,” said Josh Ward, town manager. “I think the town’s in a lot better situation with those increases,” he added.
• New resident Tim Norwood requested permission to add an access gate at the front corner of his property at 628 N. Fifth St., noting he is aware of a sewer line underneath the location. The board supported his request, saying the gate would not pose any issues.
• The board indicated it is willing to sign a one-year lease for the Chamber of Commerce’s visitor center.