Remarks by James Harrison
160 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 4 of 7
- Play at 10:09
“Yeah, I think we ran out of time for that one.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 10:38
“Think the goal is still because we didn't really pursue the multi-city resolution either for housing or transportation Just because of timing, but I would be okay if we if we added something around water in the housing resolution and then Defer to staff on kind of getting us a solid resolution with some good numbers and a balanced approach as Heather mentioned and Michelle Then I guess the only other thing would be when would we want this to? to come back up. I imagine they're putting together their bills, and they're already kind of well into that process. So I would imagine probably at…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 19:08
“I'll just add Michelle was very excited about repelling she tried to repel, but they wouldn't let her that's where the courage comes in Now just we had the people's co-op Historical marker unveiling last week. It was excellent I'm always just so impressed with our Historical Society and all the work that Michelle and Heather do in making that happen and just making it cool and unique and So thank you guys for that. And then also just an update on the Small Business Advisory Council. We passed that resolution earlier this year. We got a good number of applicants by the deadline at the end of…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 20:09
“The analysts helped a lot. Yeah, and the analysts. They're the ones that make everything work. So thank you guys for that. I look forward to that when the time comes.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 31:01
“Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 43:47
“Yeah, I'll just add, I do, I mean, the law is very specific in this being a legislative action, and that's why I would support the City Council having the final say on exceptions. But I also agree, I think it would be good to have the Planning Commission have input, just because they've... They have background and context that we may not have. I'm kind of agnostic on whether the public hearing is before the council or the planning commission. I do like watching the commission meetings and kind of hearing that. And those public hearings may actually change the recommendation on the planning…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 45:29
“Just one question on that. Do we have, are there other instances where the Planning Commission makes a recommendation and the City Council gets the public hearing? Because in the past it's always been the public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting, right?”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 51:54
“Yeah, I think I tend to agree. I think keeping the public hearing at the planning commission level, it's consistent with all the other things that come before us that are maybe more weighty and serious than signs. Who knows? Maybe we'll have like a crazy sign discussion in the next couple months. But I would be fine. And I would be fine. I think most mayors would open that up for comment. And you have that safety valve of having the public hearing the Planning Commission hearing the debate maybe some of those comments and then those same people can also come to the City Council meeting and…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 1:15:53
“Yeah, I would just echo Councilmember Stalling's comments. I think, well, first of all, I think it's really impressive to see the HOA mobilize the way it did. I know I was talking to Neil, I think it was last night, and he said he doesn't envy my job and I don't envy your job either. I know it's difficult, but it's really rewarding to see. And I'm very impressed that Symphony was willing to work with the residents and offer some additional amenities. From my perspective, it's purely a public benefit. And I think it's great between two private parties that that would work out. And I agree, we…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 1:57:01
“Mayor, if I may, I have a question and a comment for the applicants. So for the southern portion, you have that parcel immediately west of Willow Point. If this gets approved, what do you plan to put there? If it does not get approved, what's the plan? I'm just curious, because I think this is probably the biggest consideration for this.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 1:58:10
“And if it's not approved, what would be the plan for that?”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 1:59:12
“So you're talking about the eastern portion. Yeah. You don't think that would be viable for retail? No.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 1:59:27
“I guess a question for staff. Maybe this is more for Brad, but are there any, I guess, city restrictions on planning to keep retail from there based on the canal? And I guess they only have the single access from Hardman, right? Is there any city codes or anything that would prohibit that?”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:00:38
“Okay. And so the hotel plan would be if it's approved. If it's not approved, it would be more.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:00:47
“we would do a hundred unit hotel okay and then to my it's my comment I guess Kim can you help me share the screen oh yeah if you wouldn't mind so yeah I've been digging into this quite a bit and just some of the history so for the record I love the hotel idea right I think you know this council we really like you know retail and commercial in Lehigh and I think You guys know the history very well for Holbrook as well as your developments and all the changes over time over the last decade or so. So this is the first map, the old map, right, Kim? So just one thing that... that I've been…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:02:39
“That was the use. Yeah, and so, I mean, we're very fortunate now. We have the Maverick and the Smiths and some of that retail coming in on the far eastern edge of that. But for me, again, I love the hotel. I would be very supportive... of moving whatever ERUs you need for a hotel and any other sort of retail-like development there. Just because, you know, I listened to the planning commission meeting and the gentleman from Willow Point. I mean, they're crammed in there. The parking's an issue. And they just got their first grocery store that's anywhere close in the Lehigh boundaries. So I…”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:05:37
“Because I think that the eastern parcel is at, I think, third acre, right, as it is?”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:05:54
“Yeah, I was going to say, again, I can't speak for everybody else, but whatever ERUs you'd need for the hotel, I think that would be worthwhile. It's just that eastern portion, just making it Less dense, which it sounds like you guys have already decided to make it less dense than originally proposed, and help solve some of the traffic issues for the neighbors. Just because I know we have 420 units there that weren't planned originally, and so adding over 100 more, it's somewhat painful in my opinion.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:27:15
“And just to add to that, to Rachel's point, is in that area there's like the little swim bear place, right? I mean, there's, you know, not putting in a dominoes, I get that, right? It's kind of an awkward piece of land, but there may be other uses that are kind of similar to that area.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:34:38
“Would it make sense to... table and discuss with the applicant on maybe some of the more specifics around exact units, east or west side of the canal. I mean, is that useful? I know you said you wanted bullet points. Would you want bullet points kind of after the fact if we table it and meet with you and kind of come to some general consensus?”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:37:03
“the Hardman's yes oh absolutely okay in the work session so so would it so we don't have a work session in September currently planned but we could do a pre-council type of work session possibly where we could do ones and twos with the council members so you can kind of consolidate the information but I would I'd be happy to put a motion out to table”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:37:52
“And just timing, because I know, like, the sooner the better, right? Especially for you guys.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:38:26
“So I think timing-wise would, Mayor, maybe this is you, but I'm just kind of throwing it out there. Like, should we do it before the next council meeting the same day?”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:42:49
“And even the number of ERUs you would estimate for the hotel? 31. 31. Oh, that's right.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 2:43:14
“either way I got a head start from okay yeah I would prefer the through staff and then Kim if you'll pass those along that'd be great guy you won't be our point of contact thank you Kim happy to give a motion I'm happy to take one all right sir mayor I move that we table resolution 2026 dash 46 approving an amendment to the Gardner-Plum development agreement requesting to transfer 124 equivalent residential units from the northern portion of the development agreement to the southern with the intent of adding more specifics to this development agreement.”
City Council · Aug 11, 2026