HAYDEN - The Hayden City Council has scheduled a vote tonight to free City Administrator Stefan Chatwin from a provision in his contract requiring he live in the city.

"I have to ask permission to not build my house in Hayden," Chatwin said Monday.

When his contract was set more than six years ago, that was a popular provision to include for city managers or administrators, he said.

"Most jurisdictions don't do that any more," Chatwin said. "It's kind of an old throwback."

He pointed out that Coeur d'Alene City Administrator Jim Hammond lives just outside the city limits of Coeur d'Alene. City of Coeur d'Alene policy does require employees to live within a certain drive time to the city, said city spokesman Keith Erickson.

Cities generally want city administrators or managers to live close to city hall in case of urgent business or an emergency.

The Hayden City Council can waive the provision and amend Chatwin's contract, but it must come to a vote.

Chatwin is preparing to have a home built for his family at Coeur d'Alene Place. He and his wife have looked at a lot of places during the past seven to eight months, he said.

"We looked at a lot of areas in Hayden," he said.

They want to keep their children in the same schools, he said. He and his family currently reside at Strawberry Fields in Hayden.

Council President Roger Saterfiel said the council felt it was an important provision when the contract was inked. But now members of the council aren't sure it's fair, as other city employees aren't required to live in the city.

"It's kind of old-school thinking," Saterfiel said.

He doesn't have a problem with letting Chatwin move.

"He's missing out," Saterfiel joked. "Hayden has got the lowest taxes going."