Mayor on Duty
The Highlands Town Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, Sept 19. At 6 p.m., there will be a board workshop followed by the official monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be at the […]
Short Term Rental
Amortization of STRs hangs in the balance
By Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper The required public hearing regarding amending the Unified Development Ordinance to amortize Short-Term Rentals was held Thurs., Sept. 5 in a packed Community Building. The 31 speakers represented both sides […]
Mayor on Duty
I want to express my gratitude to all who participated in the public hearing on STR amortization last week. Your input was invaluable in our understanding of this complex issue. The next crucial step will be […]
Mayor on Duty
On Thursday, September 5, at 7 p.m., a public hearing will be held at the Highlands Community Center (next to the ball field). The purpose of the public hearing is for the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners to receive public comments on […]
Highlands Town Board sets public hearing for STR ordinance amendment for Sept. 5
HNC attorney says to ignore the Planning Board’s recommendation By Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper At the Aug. 15 Town Board meeting, commissioners voted 4-1 to hold a special public hearing on Thurs., Sept. 5 at […]
Mayor on Duty
After last Thursday’s long board meeting, I came away with a confirmation that I have had for quite some time. That is, when it comes to future growth and the development of the town, Highlands has multiple pressure […]
Mayor on Duty
Tonight is the August meeting of the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Highlands Community Building next to the ballfield. The meeting can also be accessed remotely by going to the […]
Mayor on Duty
A critical shortage of workforce housing plagues communities and economic development across the nation. What are the factors that contribute to the shortage? Let’s start off with off-the-chart building costs, high land prices, interest rates, […]
New STR act – SB290 shores up NC’s Vacation Rental Act
By Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper It’s not clear if a new act moving through the NC legislature is the Short-term Rental legislation Highlands Town Board has been waiting on before making changes to or expanding […]
STRs brought up during public comment period at Highlands TB meeting
By Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper The short-term rental issue was brought to the forefront on Jan. 19 when Cathy Henson, president of the Highlands Neighborhood Coalition, spoke during the public comment period. Except for the […]
Mayor on Duty
The Town’s Planning & Development Director is implementing the provisions of the newly adopted Short-Term Rental Ordinance. The Town Board approved the ordinance on September 15, 2022. Since then, several questions have arisen about the […]
STRs won’t be amortized … for now
At the September Town Board meeting, much to everyone’s surprise, the amortization of existing STRs in R1 and R2 was no longer on the table. The ordinance passed 4-1 with Commissioner Marc Hehn the dissenting […]
Mayor on Duty
Tonight is the September Highlands Board of Commissioners meeting. It will begin at 7 pm at the Highlands Community Center next to the ball field. Public comment is the first item on the agenda. The […]
Packed house at STR public hearing segues to worksession
People lined the walls at a Public Hearing on Aug. 25 to voice their opinion on the proposed short-term rental policy amendments. Proposed Town amendments: Option 1: One proposal disallows STRs in R1 and R2 […]