Steamboat Pilot & Today

4S Development agreed Thursday night to incur all the costs for an impact study of the proposed 900-acre Sunburst Ranch.

With prior recommendation from the Hayden Planning Commission, the Hayden Board of Trustees agreed to draft a letter between the town and the developer.

The agreement will be made official upon approval at the next board meeting May 1.

Before reaching the agreement, Town Manager Rob Straebel and Trustee Richard Hagins said it would be beneficial to the town to have the study on the entire 900 acres. But Trustee Ken Gibbon said he wasn't sure the developers would want to invest that much money, because the project could take many years to complete, and plans could change in that time.

Tom Fox, of 4S Development, said he realized there was a risk in paying for the full impact study, but 4S already had committed to doing the full study.

In new business, the board reviewed two requests from local business owner Pamm McFadden for activities on South Walnut Street.

First, McFadden asked for permission to plant four trees along the street near Mount Harris Laundry, which she recently purchased. Also, she requested help in jackhammering portions of the sidewalk where the trees would be planted.

The board was in favor of planting the trees, but wanted time to more closely examine the area and the type of trees to be planted.

McFadden asked for permission and help to block traffic on South Walnut Street on Saturday, June 14, to hold a communitywide garage sale.

Because South Walnut Street is a fairly busy street, several board members asked if McFadden had thought about having the sale in one of the town parks. McFadden said she had but that South Walnut Street seemed more appropriate because of its downtown location and because her insurance would cover the event there.

Parking also was an issue, and the board said it needed more time to consider it. Wherever the event is held, McFadden is inviting the public to set up a booth for a flea-market style "turn your trash into treasure" sale.

In other action:

The board approved a resolution proclaiming May 26, 2003, as Poppy Day in Hayden, as requested by the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 89. Handmade poppies, created by disabled veterans, will be sold that day at Town Hall.

The board approved bids for the old playground equipment at Hayden Town Park, because the park soon will be getting new equipment. Three items had two identical bids each, and the board agreed to have a lottery to determine who receives the items.

To reach Nick Foster call 871-4204 or

e-mail nfoster@steamboatpilot.com