Highland City Council moves forward with annexing property for public school
The land that soon will house a new public school is now part of the City of Highland, after votes by the city council last week.
The council voted to annex the property and granted special use permits to 42.8 acres at the intersection of Poplar Street and Arkansas Road.
Highland District 5 plans to construct the new primary school on this property, which will serve pre-kindergarten through second grades with approximately 650 students and 70 staff members.
The district’s proposal included annexing the full property into the city limits and requesting a special use permit to build the school. Prior to the vote Monday, Oct. 17, only 6 acres of the property lay within city limits.
Superintendent Mike Sutton assured the council in a letter accompanying the request the school district would partner with the city to improve roads and walkways to accommodate the increased car and foot traffic extending out to the new school. “The potential for a Veteran’s Parkway expansion makes this site even better from a strategic standpoint,” he wrote.
While it will increase traffic, he said, the traffic issues that have troubled the Lindenthal campus will be significantly lessened.
“Other options for sites were considered, but a site within the city limits was crucial in maintaining established relationships,” he wrote. “The newly constructed campus is expected to provide a beautiful face lift to the area and provides opportunities for the city to address some neighborhood water issues in the future. It is important that families have access to our school in a convenient and safe location, all of which the specified location provides.”
Sutton also wrote that the space will allow the general public to access more green space and playgrounds.
The current neighbors for the property include the First Baptist Church, VFW, single-family residences and vacant land, according to the documents.
The city council unanimously approved the annexation and special use permit, both of which were recommended by the planning and zoning board without conditions.
