COEUR d'ALENE - The proposed Hayden Canyon development plan cleared another hurdle Wednesday.

The Hayden Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Hayden City Council approve the preliminary planned unit development plan, by a 4-1 vote.

The developer, Glen Lanker, architect and operating partner of Hayden Canyon Land, LLC., said he was pleased with the recommendation following three hours of commission deliberation.

"We really appreciate the time and effort of the planning commission," he said. "We already agreed to the staff recommendations and to address the conditions, we'll consider them, but we're satisfied with the outcome.

The conditions of the approval are to include staff recommendations, as well as the developer not build medians on Lancaster Avenue and Government Way. The developer should also get written plans from the Idaho Transportation Department on road improvements to Lacey Avenue and U.S. Highway 95 as well as a traffic signal at Wyoming Avenue and U.S. Highway 95.

First proposed in Hayden in 2005, the plan is to create a mixed-use neighborhood development called Hayden Canyon, with 1,823 residential units between Government Way and Strahorn Road, most of it north of Lancaster Road.

Concerns ranged from neighbors who said the development would bring in too much traffic in too dense an area, and that overbuilding could flood the residential and commercial market since so many properties are vacant as it is. They also worried about maintenance problems, as well as building too close to the Coeur d'Alene Airport being a potential safety concern. Those who supported it said it could bring an economic, aesthetic and infrastructure boost to the area.

"I have a real problem with 1,800 units," said Mary Jacobsen, commission vice chair and the lone vote of opposition. "This is all of our backyard."

Other commissioners said the annexation agreement already outlined those concerns.

"That's a good piece of property up there and at some point in the future it's going to be developed," said Brian Petersen, commission member.

The property is 612 acres and leaves 247 acres dedicated to open space, including the scenic Hayden Canyon.

The recommendation will go to the City Council, in a public meeting but without more testimony.

If it's approved, lot lines would have to be established through the subdivision process that would go back to the planning commission for a public hearing. That recommendation would also go to the City Council, along with the final approval of the PUD.