Calling all residents: Highland Township officials are in need of some serious advice.

Supervisor Triscia Pilchowski said she's waiting with open arms for opinions from residents regarding plans to develop the Highland Station and the downtown district.

"It's vitally important to get a handle on what different groups in our community are thinking so we can have a shared vision," Pilchowski said.

Scores of residents and community leaders were on hand at last week's Downtown Development Association meeting to find out what planning consultants learned on a recent tour of the community. The township is working with Tad Krear of Land Design Studios and Greg Presley of Presley Architecture to gather ideas for the development projects.

Krear said there are several roadsides and landmarks ideal for "gateways" — signs that welcome visitors into Highland.

"Gateways will announce a new place," Krear said. "That sense of arrival becomes important in any community to say you've entered a special place, and that's lacking in this community."

He urged working with Colasanti's Plant and Produce to create signage near the business's pond or on their property.

Krear also suggested working with local businesses willing to design their landscapes and property to give a familiar face throughout the community.

"(Krear) was giving a little more meat on the bones of what to consider," Pilchowski said. "He's giving us a place to start from."

Presley focused on restoring the township's historical buildings. He said 80 to 100 structures in the downtown area are historical, and more than 50 percent of those structures were built before 1930.

"This town was passed by the jaws of progress," Presley said. "But (Highland is) a community that has the blessing of having structures that date back 100 years."

Suggested structures to redevelop included the Asa Smith building owned by Rosco Smith at the corner of Milford and Livingston roads, the Highland House Hotel, the Needham building, the Highland Station House and other downtown businesses and residences.

The township will be comparing notes with the village of Franklin, another Oakland County community. Pilchowski said downtown plans and progress in Franklin are similar to those in Highland.

Further planning workshops for the development projects will take place at the Senior Center on May 21, 22 and 23. A workshop overview meeting will take place June 6, and a village of Franklin tour is June 12. Call Pilchowski at (248) 887-3791 for more information.

"Highland Township isn't all sticks and mortar; it's people," Pilchowski said. "Just like everywhere else, we have characters, leaders and people who are caring volunteers. They add color to the community, and people want to live in a community that's vibrant and alive."

Alison Bergsieker is a reporter for the Milford Times. She can be reached by phone at (248) 685-1507 ext. 21 or by e-mail at abergsieker@gannett.com.