Hayden puts developments on hold

Hayden has called a timeout on growth, deferring the approval of any new requests to expand the city limits until it has time to complete sewer and transportation plans.

That has put seven annexation requests, which could add 1,300 acres and 8,500 residents, on hold until at least November.

For developers, that means about a 10-month delay for their projects, which range from a 12.4-acre housing development off Wyoming Avenue to a 240-acre project that would push the city’s boundary west to Huetter Road.

The Hayden City Council and city planners see the annexation hiatus as a chance to ensure adequate sewer service and roads. That’s critical in this rapidly growing town where the population could reach 22,150, a 67 percent increase, just with the seven current proposals that could add 3,500 homes.

“This is an opportunity to do some responsible and managed growth planning,” City Planner Lisa Key said. “The City Council showed a great deal of leadership and political courage taking this short breather.”

The city had already started work on its sewer master plan and transportation plan when in January it began to receive requests for annexation.

“They came in almost a pack,” Key said.

Towns often look at annexation requests one at a time, with developers proposing ways to bring sewers, roads and utilities to their projects.

This is a chance for Hayden to look at the entire city and its likely growth areas.

“We want to look at the most efficient way to sewer the city, not just piece the system together,” she said.

The same goes for Hayden’s roads. The city also is doing a master plan for parks, which also will provide direction for how these proposed projects deal with public open space.

Ron Rosenberger of Rosenberger Construction wants the city to annex 65 acres off Buckels Road on Hayden’s east side, which would become an extension of the current Rocking R subdivision. The Rocking R North project would put 125 homes on the former Holte family property, currently hayfields.

Rosenberger said the temporary halt is an unwanted delay, but “I understand growth has happened so rapidly it’s probably better to prepare for it. As long as they are accepting growth and moving forward it’s OK.”

City Councilwoman Nancy Taylor said this is one of the most progressive stances the city has taken in her tenure.

“I’m just thrilled,” Taylor said. “It puts us in a better position of determining whether an annexation would fit in.”

City Administrator Jay Townsend said these studies will allow the city to tell developers exactly what they need to provide in terms of sewers, utilities, roads, schools, fire and other services. Townsend said people often question whether new growth really pays for itself or if existing residents end up paying the bill.

“This will get developers to understand so new growth does pay for itself,” he said. “If we don’t do that, we are totally planning in a vacuum.”

The massive Hayden Canyon proposal north of Lancaster Road, which would alone expand the city’s population by more than a third, is included in the list of annexation requests, even though the Hayden Planning and Zoning Commission already had a public hearing and unanimously recommended denial.

The following is a list of the other annexation requests:

• Blue Grass Development: 118 acres along Huetter Road, between Hayden and Prairie avenues. The company intends to request a planned unit development of mostly residential with a small component of commercial building. The developers also are encouraging four neighboring properties, totaling 157 acres, to seek annexation.

• Copper Basin: 240 acres along Huetter Road, between Hayden Avenue and the southern boundary of the Coeur d’Alene Airport. The company wants to build a residential planned unit development. This request would also require the city to change its comprehensive plan.

• K&S Development: 153.5 acres north of Lancaster Road. The company plans a development that includes a mix of residential and commercial.

• Hayden Village: 91.7 acres north of Lancaster Road that fronts the west side of U.S. Highway 95. The company intends to ask for a planned unit development that would include a mix of residential and commercial uses. Developer Alan Golub is working with the Idaho Transportation Department, Hayden and the Lakes Highway District to use a portion of the property to put an under- or overpass where Lancaster Road intersects with Highway 95.

• Rocking R North: 65 acres north of Buckles Road. Rosenberger Construction wants to build a subdivision with 155 homes.

• Waterford Park: 12.4 acres north of Wyoming Avenue. Developer wants a residential planned unit development.