Hayden Project Delayed Water System Issue Holds Up Decision

Kootenai County commissioners listened to a flood of complaints about water during a public hearing Wednesday night.

At issue is a proposed subdivision, West Hayden Estates First Addition, on the northwest corner of Lancaster and Strahorn roads. Developer Steve Thompson would like to build on 49 lots over 21 acres but has been stymied, largely because of problems with the area’s water system.

About two dozen people, including engineers, lawyers, residents and developers, attended the three-hour hearing.

At the end, commissioners Ron Rankin and Dick Panabaker put off deciding whether to approve the subdivision until a meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Commissioner Dick Compton was absent.

Rankin and Panabaker appeared torn between Thompson’s right to develop his land and the residents’ right to be assured of quality water service before more development occurs. Rankin made a motion to turn down the subdivision, which Panabaker did not second.

Previous versions of Thompson’s project have been shot down by the commissioners and the planning commission because of housing density and water issues.

In response, Thompson has reduced the number of lots from 58 to 49. He’s committed to adding left turn lanes in high traffic areas. And, he and the developer of another proposed subdivision, Deerfoot Meadows, have agreed to help pay for improvements to the water system, provided their developments are approved by the county.

“We will not make the contribution unless we’re approved,” Thompson said.

Water has been the sticking point for months because of complaints by residents of low water pressure and lack of water supply.

In 1991, the North Kootenai Water District was created to represent the water users because of those problems. Now the district is attempting to buy the water system from Allied Water Inc. Members will vote Aug. 4 on whether the district will pursue that effort.

Engineers representing developers, the county and the state Division of Environmental Quality agreed that the water system would be greatly improved by adding a 10-inch main line and an 8-inch line paralleling an existing line.

Still, residents complain that the water pressure does not meet standards established by the state in 1985. Those standards say water pressure should be at least 35 psi (pounds per square inch), and that 60 psi is considered normal.

Resident Heather Brown said she bought her own gauge to measure the pressure at her house. At best, she said, it was 45 psi. The average was 40.

“I’m not against growth,” she said, “I’m just against growth when the infrastructure is not in place to handle it.”

Traffic and quality of life issues also surfaced.

Denise Short, who lives near the proposed development, said when she bought her house she was told by a real estate agent that that undeveloped area near her home would never hold more than three houses.