Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden — Two young developers are proposing a major project in Hayden, and they hope to break ground soon.

However, a planning consultant has raised issues about open spaces and parks in the development, which Hayden planning commissioners will consider at their 7 p.m. meeting today at Hayden Town Hall. The commissioners will consider a preliminary plat and site plan review.

The Creek View Town Homes and Plaza development plan calls for 21 townhomes and a multiuse commercial building. The commercial building is expected to include residential and commercial units.

The development would be on a 3.21-acre parcel south of U.S. Highway 40, east of Dry Creek and west of an alley between Fifth and Sixth streets. A barn, shed and house would be torn down to build the development.

The developers proposing the project, Stefanus Nijsten, 27, and his brother Louis Nijsten, 25, came to Steamboat Springs from the Netherlands. Stefanus Nijsten has built homes in Milner and Phippsburg. Now, the brothers are thinking bigger.

In a report to planning commissioners, Town Planner Tim Katers said the project does not meet minimum standards set in the Hayden Land Use Code. Not enough land has been set aside for open space, and because of the number of residential units, the code also requires a half-acre park with sprinklers and playground equipment, Katers said.

"(It) highlights the focus of the applicants has been on developing as much on this property as possible at the expense of more community and/or personal approach," Katers said.

Neighbors also have voiced concerns about the project's size.

The three-story, 1,720-square-foot townhomes would be a mix of two- and three-bedroom units with attached one- or two-car garages.

The brothers hope to start pre-selling the townhomes soon.

They propose dividing the land into three commercial blocks and three multi-family blocks. Three of the blocks would be used for the townhomes. A restaurant that has been closed for the past two years would remain on one of the blocks. Louis Nijsten said they want to reopen the restaurant.

One of the three commercial blocks would be sold. Uses for the commercial building have not been determined, but the upper level could be used for storage, offices or mixed-use dwellings. Louis Nijsten said he envisions a pharmacy, movie store, offices or other similar businesses on the main floor. A walking trail would be constructed along Dry Creek.