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Business growth potential in Hayden gained momentum Thursday with the Town Board's approval of a new business park.

The board unanimously approved the 52-lot Valley View Business Park for the southwest corner of Crandall Avenue and Routt County Road 37. Developers Jon Peddie and Paul Franklin plan to break ground on the project within the next month.

The two pursued the project after realizing the success of the Copper Ridge Business Park in Steamboat Springs. That development revealed an expansion niche for small businesses based in garages, mini storage spaces and barns, Peddie said.

Lots in the business park will range from 0.2 to 3 acres, accommodating small buildings and larger, multiple-unit structures. Lot designs were based on feedback from local Realtors and business owners who suggested a variety of buy-in opportunities, he said.

"We hope we can have people purchase these and have their mortgage payment be less than what they are paying in rent now," Peddie said.

The 33-acre project will include a landscaped open-space buffer on the perimeter. A concrete sidewalk will run along Crandall Avenue, and a soft surface trail will line C.R. 37.

The open space and trail plan was a compromise with the Planning Commission, which preferred concrete paths along both roads. The Planning Commission agreed that concrete was most appropriate for Crandall, which sees more pedestrian traffic.

Utilities presented the most complications in planning the project. Developers are working to reach an agreement with Peabody Energy for an easement allowing connection to town sewer lines on the company's property.

Peddie and Franklin also are working with Atmos Energy to find an affordable way to tap into an Atmos Energy gas line about a mile south of the development.

Peddie and Franklin plan to build several buildings in the development, but about 80 percent of the park will be sold as lots. Covenants and an architectural committee will dictate design and landscape standards in the park, Peddie said.

Developers al----so have agreed to improve a section of C.R. 37 and contribute to a possible road realignment project in the future.

In other business, the board approved an ordinance restricting bicycles, skateboards, toy motorcycles and other vehicles on sidewalks along Jefferson Avenue between Spruce and Poplar streets and on Walnut Street south of Jefferson Avenue.

The board also appointed Steve Dunn and Tim Johnson to the Hayden Recreation Board and Tom Allen to a vacancy on the Hayden Economic Development Commission.