Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Highland public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Sale of trail-adjacent orphan parcels
The city is selling small encroached-on parcels to neighbors Barry and Burgon, and after pushback from Campbell and Rice, adopted a new standard: buyers who pay for title insurance get a warranty deed instead of a quitclaim.
Special Event Fees at Highland Glen Park
A popular run club wants to grow from 100 to 150 participants at Highland Glen Park. Councilmember Campbell wants higher fees to cover cleanup costs; the council agreed the fee schedule should reflect actual impacts.
Angels Gate Reopening Appreciation
A resident thanked the council for the negotiated agreement reopening Angels Gate, calling it a major safety relief for the mountain biking community heading into next season.
Stormwater Compliance Update
The state-required stormwater plan update mostly means paperwork — revised inspection minimums, enforcement escalation, and salt/snowmelt procedures. No behavior changes needed since the city already meets water quality standards.
Ridges at Alpine / Angels Gate Agreement
After two years of negotiation, Highland locked in a deal with the Draper developer north of Angels Gate: city ownership of the water tank parcel, a guaranteed Hog Hollow trail connection, emergency access both directions, and $75,000 toward the Dry Creek lift station. It also formally reopens Angels Gate area trail access.
Ridgeview privacy fence setbacks
Ridgeview's tiny corner lots (some 0.117 acres) were losing a third to half their side yards to the citywide 14-foot fence setback. The council carved out an exception for the smaller pods so families can fence their yards, while keeping the rule on estate lots.
Sidewalk Gaps and Safe Routes to School
Filling every sidewalk gap would cost about $27 million. Council members pushed to reweight the ranking — streets with no sidewalks on either side should rank higher — and flagged 9600 North and Country Club Drive, where kids walk in the road. Staff will add police crash data and rework the criteria.
Rix subdivision on 6800 West
A six-lot subdivision is moving forward after the developer reworked the plan to satisfy the city's rounding rules. It also includes road widening and a parkway along 6800 West.
Highland Hollow Park cyclocross idea
A Lehi mountain biker pitched using Highland Hollow Park as a cyclocross racing venue while keeping it natural — a way to activate the park and deter misuse. Just an idea floated in public comment; no action.
North Point tipping fee increase
Council Member Smith warned that the North Point transfer station plans a $3.50-per-ton tipping fee hike starting July 2027 as part of a $38 million rebuild — costs that could flow into garbage rates.
Building height measurement on sloped lots
Highland wants to stop builders from piling up dirt to legally build taller homes, but the fix has a wrinkle on downhill-sloping lots that council members don't like yet. The decision was pushed to a future meeting while staff rewrites the language.
Assisted living facility in Sky Estates
The Planning Commission continued the assisted living proposal another month so the developer can talk with neighbors; the council won't see it before November.
City facilities security fencing
Chain-link fencing around the fire station, two wells, and a lift station aims to prevent vandalism, trespassing, and any attempt to tamper with the drinking water supply.
Road maintenance funding and the transportation utility fee
The city is switching to a 'supermod' chip seal (same price, better structural value) and deferring the last stretch near pending utility cuts so fresh pavement doesn't get torn up.
Beacon Hills drainline relocation
The city will spend up to $96,683.95 to stop its tank overflow from trespassing onto a developer's property, rerouting the water into the irrigation pond instead. The council skipped $30,000 in pipe encasement after the developer declined to help pay.
State Mandate to Chlorinate Drinking Water
Highland is the largest city in Utah without chlorination, and the state says recurring coliform hits mean it must disinfect. Council members want cancer-risk research on disinfection byproducts, third-party testing, and possibly a delay until spring 2027 before any vote.
Twin Bridges entrance project
Neighbors raised $67,000 to rebuild their crumbling entrance; the council signaled it will redirect the $16,000 insurance payout and add up to $5,000 more to finish the $109,000 project.
Mitchell Hollow trail wall and fence safety
The trail's extensive retaining walls and boardwalks drove a $15,000 inspection cost increase. Council Member Rice flagged a possible drainage problem near the Bibee property that staff agreed to inspect before pavement goes down.
Highland Glen Park care and maintenance
The city's most-visited park (30,000 monthly visits, 75% non-residents) has a long project list. Council wants maintenance and safety first, more volunteer collaboration, and cost-ranked lists plus a survey before spending.
Christmas lights event location
Staff asked for $10,000 from fund balance to start building a holiday light collection at Heritage Park and light 38 poles leading to the Town Center — council liked it but Cortney wants to make sure it doesn't look cheesy.
Firefighter and police officer recruitment and retention
Both departments are losing experienced staff — mostly to Salt Lake County agencies paying $3–4 more per hour. The board wants a pay study to figure out how competitive the district needs to be, and a permanent pay policy so decisions outlive board turnover.
Part-time firefighter program failing
Part-time firefighters are quitting before their first shift or just not showing up, leaving the district to cover gaps with costly overtime. The chief proposes converting one part-time slot to full-time, and will bring financials to the November meeting.
Traffic monitoring software purchase
Urban SDK would give the city real-time speed and volume data for every road using anonymized vehicle GPS data — no cameras, no personal info. It's about $25,000 a year for three years and could save staff days of manual traffic counts, though some council members questioned whether the council will actually follow the data.
Right-of-way work notification requirement
A Comcast fiber contractor dug up driveways in the mayor's neighborhood with zero notice to homeowners. The council wants a code change requiring utilities to notify residents before digging in rights-of-way.
Veterinary urgent care clinic at Highland Mains
Highland's code never addressed vet clinics, so Sploot needed council approval to open in the CR zone at the former ice cream shop. The big debate was Sunday hours — the council settled on urgent care only on Sundays. The clinic opens in about six months.
E-bike and scooter rules on trails and sidewalks
New city rules align with state law: Class 1 and 2 e-bikes allowed on trails and sidewalks, faster Class 3 banned, no motor vehicles in parks. Council members still worry about kids under 14 riding unsupervised and scooters zipping past pedestrians and dog walkers.
Legislative consultant contract vs. in-house grant administration
The council split 3-2 on renewing David Stewart's $100,000-a-year contract, which has helped land ~$4 million in grants. Opponents want a front-door alternative — possibly a part-time grant administration coordinator as a two-year pilot — and staff will research it for the FY2028 budget.
Country Club Drive golf cart crossing sidewalk and traffic calming
Three Country Club residents pressed for a permanent fix at the narrow golf cart crossing — a sidewalk, better gravel transitions, and traffic calming on Juring Drive. Staff said sidewalk priorities will be re-run through a data model that now weights locations with no sidewalk on either side.
Detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) rules
After about three years of work, Highland adopted rules allowing backyard cottages on large lots while keeping the R-140 feel: home setbacks, height and size caps, owner occupancy, and no separate sale. The council will review how the rules perform in about a year.
Safe school crossing for Ridgeview students at North County Boulevard
A Ridgeview mom described kindergartners and sixth graders crossing a busy 45-mph intersection near Lone Peak High to reach Cedar Ridge Elementary, with no trail route like Deerfield students have. She asked the city to create a safe crossing plan, pointing to a prior Highland–American Fork agreement for Legacy Elementary.
Town Center Boulevard parking
New rules crack down on long-term and inoperable vehicles in city parking spots near the splash pad and Toscana, with 24-hour signage coming to Town Center Boulevard. Enforcement will be mostly complaint-driven — officers can't chalk tires anymore, so they document and return after 48 hours.
Sight triangle regulations cleanup
Nothing over three feet will be allowed in the 40-foot visibility triangles at intersections — a big deal for corner-lot owners with trees and shrubs. Code Officer Brent Wallace warned trees cost owners thousands to remove once they block sight lines.
Well No. 4 motor failure
The city's workhorse drinking water well has been down a month with a burned-out motor; it's being rewound for about $28,500 since the warranty expired years ago.
Aging sewer lines slip-lining
Sewer lines 40-50 years old in some of the city's oldest neighborhoods are being relined, including a stretch along busy 10400.
Water-wise landscaping and rebate eligibility
New rules double your Central Utah rebate to $3/sq ft when you convert lawn. New homes can have at most 50% lawn in front/side yards, and bare-gravel yards aren't allowed. Enforcement will come through the permit process and a new code compliance hire.
E-bike and e-scooter safety rules
State law changed and Highland's code is out of date on electric bikes. The council is moving toward allowing class 1 and 2 e-bikes on trails, sidewalks, and roads while banning class 3 and e-motorcycles, with police reporting most problems come from kids on e-motorcycles.
Fireworks restrictions for Pioneer Day
The city extended its fireworks ban to July 24, matching nearly every neighboring city, and chipped in $3,000 for a countywide show over Utah Lake. Council members stressed the ban shouldn't become permanent and floated a make-up discharge date if fall conditions improve.
Trail and park maintenance funding
Council members say trail maintenance is the most common resident complaint, and they're eyeing orphan parcel sale proceeds to fund it, with a proposed 50/50 split between neighborhoods and citywide trails.
Flock camera privacy concerns
Residents have raised privacy concerns about the city's automated license plate readers. The police chief walked through the safeguards — 30-day data purge, logged access, case numbers — and council members asked what happens if data leaves Utah.
Detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs)
State law forces Highland to allow backyard casitas by October 1. The planning commission's framework is close, but council members are split on how big the units can be — 1,500 square feet on an acre lot struck some as nearly a second house.
Highland Glen Park maintenance
A resident who walks the park daily pleaded with the council to address trash, damaged docks, and deteriorating conditions, and volunteered to organize fundraising and volunteer upkeep.
Proposed library tax increase
The council is weighing a $171,600 library tax increase — about $27 a year on the average home — to fund library staffing for the TLC consortium, programs, and Libby e-books. Final vote comes August 11 after truth-in-taxation notices.
5710 West storm drain
New storm drain on 5710 West north of 11200 North, awarded to KW Robinson for up to $53,975.81.
Dog training business in R-140 zone
A proposed 'Wagon Wagon' bus-based dog recreation business was warmly received but continued to next meeting over a notice technicality.
FY 2026-2027 interim budget
The city's ~$32.6 million budget adds a police lieutenant, goes debt-free on bonds within 15 months, and absorbs a garbage tipping fee increase without raising resident rates.
PI fund transfer debate
The council will keep transferring $108,000 in PI fees to the general fund this year, but Cortney argues it's effectively a 4% tax on water users and wants the practice reconsidered next budget cycle.
Mayor and council compensation
The mayor's pay jumps 50% to $18,900 to match neighboring cities, and members discussed — but didn't act on — raising council pay, arguing low pay limits who can afford to serve.
Highland Mains fence and signage
Midtown wants one more tall sign on SR-92 — three big signs total — while making them 10 feet shorter and skipping the stone base. Commissioners signed off on the count and height but want the stone base kept and the smaller signs to keep their original look. The City Council has the final say.
State-law conforming code amendments for planning process
Utah's 2026 land use bills changed the rules: new zone uses are now council-only legislative decisions, and planning commissioners face new requirements for removal causes, recusal, and training. The commission recommended the council adopt both changes — mostly housekeeping, but it affects how land use decisions get appealed and who decides them.
Highland Mains office building design
A new two-story office building with individually owned condo-style office units is coming to the Highland Mains commercial center. Small businesses like dentists, title companies, and salons can lease or buy ~2,500-square-foot units with their own entrances — no restaurant uses allowed.