Canyon developers urge neighbors to take a hike

A hike into Hayden Canyon might help dispel misconceptions about a proposal that could expand Hayden’s population by a third, developers say.

Hayden TND is having an open house Saturday in which people can walk the 618 acres off Lancaster Road and get a sense of how the project would fit with the land that includes a rocky canyon. Project representatives will answer questions and explain the “new urbanism” concept that clusters a variety of styles of homes, leaves open space, encourages walking and has a well-defined community center. The idea is causing consternation with some neighbors and area residents.

“We just want to get to know folks and show them this amazing feature – this canyon we are preserving,” said Glen Lanker of Artios, a Spokane-based architecture firm that is a partner in the development. “We want to really show how we are taking an approach that is a lot different than a typical development.”

The tour comes two days before the Hayden Planning and Zoning Commission reconvenes to deliberate and perhaps make a recommendation on whether Hayden should annex the property.

At the Monday meeting, the commission also will recommend whether the city should change its comprehensive plan – the foundation of all land-use decisions – to allow for more houses on the property.

If the city changes the comprehensive plan to allow five houses per acre, that designation would stick with the property regardless of whether the Hayden Canyon development becomes a reality.

Hayden Canyon developers plan to put about three homes per acre on the property, which would allow the preservation of 262 acres of open space, including the canyon.

Hayden City Council will make the final determination on the comprehensive plan change and annexation, after having its own public hearing.

If the Planning Commission recommends the comprehensive plan change and annexation Monday night, it’s expected the commission will open a public hearing on the development that could eventually put 1,800 homes on the property, along with shops, restaurants, a community center and performing arts center.

If the Planning Commission recommends denial of the comprehensive plan change and annexation, Hayden Community Development Director Lisa Key said it’s likely the developers will wait for the City Council to make a final decision before moving forward with the detailed development plan.

That means there wouldn’t be a public hearing Monday on that portion of the project.

Virginia Dorris lives south of the proposed project and thinks the developers are trying to sneak the plan past the public.

Dorris said it’s “insanity” to think of the extra cars – up to 3,000 per day – that would use neighboring roads that are already too congested.

Like other neighbors who are signing petitions and placing ads in newspapers, Dorris said she doesn’t like the idea of putting that many homes in what is now a rural area bordering the Hayden city limits.