Highlands begins exploring transfer of Bay Avenue and nearby sections from county to borough control

The Borough of Highlands began exploring whether to resume local control of Bay Avenue and adjacent streets to simplify redevelopment plans.

At the April 15 meeting Mayor Ruan said County planner Joe Barers has attended several meetings on Bay Avenue redevelopment and asked whether the borough would like to have the roads returned from county jurisdiction. Ruan said the countyngineer has expressed support in principle, but the transfer would require formal steps: county and borough ordinances, paperwork, and an intergovernmental agreement specifying who will maintain signage, curbs and other infrastructure.

Officials noted tradeoffs: county control imposes stricter roadway standards (for example, required right-of-way widths and limitations on curb cuts) that can hamper local redevelopment review, but taking roads back could also impose costs on the borough for sign removal/replacement and ongoing maintenance. Ruan cited a past instance (a road vacation in 1982) and said the borough will investigate whether the municipal benefits outweigh the costs.

Council members asked procedural clarifying questions. A council member noted the proper technical term for this action may be "discontinuance" rather than a full "vacation," because the road would move from county to borough jurisdiction rather than be extinguished. Staff said the next steps would include further intergovernmental discussions and drafting ordinances if the borough elects to proceed.

No formal vote was taken; the matter remains under discussion.