Council rejects annexation request

For the second time in three years, officials in Hayden have rejected a request by a developer to annex land for a massive new subdivision.

The Hayden City Council rejected the request 3-1 Tuesday, citing concerns that such a large project would place too much of a burden on city services.

Coeur d’Alene developer Glen Lanker wants to turn 616 acres of forest land on the city’s outskirts into an 1,800-home village called Hayden Canyon.

The annexation proposal failed three years ago when it was recommended for denial by the city’s Planning and Zoning commission, and was then withdrawn by Lanker before the City Council could consider it.

This year, the commission recommended the council approve the annexation.

“I’m not sure we’re ready for this at this time,” Councilwoman Jeri DeLange said. “I would like to see this developed in the future, but not at this time.”

“I’m not anti-growth, I’m not anti-development, but our city services are already very stressed,” Councilman Roger Saterfiel said.

Lanker said he will consider alternatives and would still like to develop in the area.

“We’re understandably disappointed, but we’re going to go back and regroup,” he said. “We were looking forward to being a part of Hayden, but we’re going to go back and see what our alternatives are.”

Lisa Key, community development director for the city, said the proposal for annexation was one of the first to come before the council since the city finished its strategic plan regarding parks, sewers and transportation.