Council To Consider Apartment Complex Again Developer Proposes New Location For Mixed-Income Project In Hayden

The last time a local developer asked the City Council to consider a request for a 45-unit apartment complex downtown, resident Kent Bailey submitted this analysis:

“Good idea, bad place.”

This afternoon, when city leaders are scheduled to consider Whitewater Creek Inc.’s plan for the fourth time in less than two months, the developer hopes the council will see it this way:

Good idea, new place - a block away.

“We’re back,” said Whitewater owner Todd Prescott, chuckling at his own persistence. “Hopefully, there’s not going to be that much controversy around it.”

Other than the location, nothing else has changed.

Now, instead of locating the mixed-income development behind Sargent’s Restaurant, Prescott is proposing to place it behind the Cotton Club, another downtown business.

The difference is that the first spot is in a commercially zoned area. The new location is zoned multifamily residential.

Whether that change sways council members remains to be seen. Last time, both the city Planning and Zoning Committee and city staff advised against the proposal.

This time, because the council recently voted to appoint a commission to replace the Planning and Zoning Committee, the committee didn’t get a chance to look at the revised plan.

Meanwhile, the city staff’s recommendation seems favorable.

“It meets with all our requirements,” said city administrator Bob Croffoot.

But at least one neighbor doesn’t like the new location - despite legal threats he says he has received from the current property owners.

When Chris Walthour bought his property, also behind the Cotton Club, he signed an agreement saying he wouldn’t contest any development on surrounding property.

Last week, The Spokesman-Review published a letter from Walthour.

“I got a phone call threatening legal action,” Walthour said. “I have a right to my opinion.”

Walthour contends the development still is proposed for the wrong place and would multiply traffic, crime and safety problems already abundant in his neighborhood.

Prescott has said the project is necessary because it would provide much-needed low-income housing in Hayden.

This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT’S NEXT Meeting today

Today, the Hayden City Council will hold a public hearing on Whitewater Creek Inc.’s proposal to build a 45-unit apartment complex behind the Cotton Club on Government Way. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in Hayden City Hall, 8930 Government Way.