Steamboat Pilot & Today

Developers and Hayden officials now have a clear guide for growth in the town.

The Hayden Town Board on Thursday adopted Hayden's new comprehensive plan, a user-friendly document designed to take much of the guesswork out of planning future developments.

The final plan was developed with the help of residents, who shared their hopes for growth preserving the town's family-oriented and agricultural heritage.

The 50-page plan, adopted by the Hayden Planning Commission last week, encourages compact growth with an emphasis on commercial and industrial development in the initial stages.

Composed of guidelines and policy suggestions, the comprehensive plan is implemented through the town's land-use code. That code, which includes subdivision and zoning regulations, is nearing the end of its revision process.

Town Manager Russ Martin emphasized that the plan will be revised regularly.

"This is a living, working document, and we will be changing it," he said

Also Thursday, the board agreed to update the town's three-mile plan, which addresses possible uses of about 65 acres of land surrounding the town's boundary.

The plan identifies various issues such as utilities, parks and roads to consider in annexation proposals. Martin noted that the plan also would help the town communicate its vision for those areas to Routt County, which has jurisdiction over the land until it is annexed.

In other business, the board determined that about 47 acres along Routt County Road 37 is eligible for annexation. Developer Jim Woods is proposing to build Dry Creek Villages, a 150-home development on the land, between C.R. 37 and Dry Creek.

The Planning Commission reviewed sketch plans for that project last week.

The board's resolution allows the annexation process to proceed. Trustee Richard Bush voted against the resolution because it was too far from existing developments and presented sewer and traffic issues, he said.

"I have a problem with this because it's so remote," Bush said.

The board may deny the annexation at any time during the process, Martin said.

Also Thursday:

n The town board determined a group of properties owned by David Frith, Frank and Sue Weidner, and Thomas and Jaylyn Trapp are eligible for annexation. The properties are southeast of the Sagewood subdivision and west of C.R. 53.

n The board approved a request from Rob Straebel to subdivide a duplex lot at 689 E. Washington Ave. Straebel plans to sell one side of the duplex while retaining ownership of the other unit.

n The board reappointed Karl Koehler to the Planning Commission for a five-year term.

-- To reach Tamera Manzanares call 871-4204 or e-mail tmanzanares@steamboatpilot.com