HAYDEN — A new development with nearly 300 residential units is coming to north Hayden.

Following a 3-1 approval vote by Hayden City Council on Tuesday, plans for Hayden Village at the northwest corner of Vernon J. Baker Boulevard (west of Highway 95) and Lancaster Road are a go.

"It's got the space, it's got the infrastructure," said Todd Stam, owner of Aspen Homes, the construction company in charge of Hayden Village, LLC. "I'm really excited about that whole new corridor out there."

Hayden Village will be a multi-family mixed residential planned unit development and phased subdivision, with residential lots, two commercial lots to be developed with multi-family residential units and 23 tracts of open space area with a total estimated 296 residential units on about 65 acres.

"I just feel like that whole entire area is going to do really well in the coming years," Stam said. "For us, it was just a victory to finally get the process approved by the city."

Hayden Village will be developed in seven phases. Stam said it should break ground as early as next month or November. Along with the residential units, the plans include a pocket park, a greenway and common open spaces throughout the area to accent the connecting trail system with landscaping and accent features.

"We've got a really nice park planned for that area," Stam said. "We try to do things over and beyond, so our parks will be more than the city is requiring."

Connie Krueger, community and economic development director for the city, said the addition of Hayden Village is right in line with Hayden's comprehensive plan.

"Our plans, long term, are to grow into these areas," she said. "We've worked hard to open that north end of the city. From a planning perspective, this is what we've planned and we're always happy to see our plans realized."

The one dissenting vote was cast by Councilman Matt Roetter, who said the "no" had nothing to do with the planned unit development’s ability to meet requirements but rather Hayden's ability to afford services for it.

"It looks like it's a quality development, well thought out, and I know staff spent hundreds of hours making sure everything was right," he said. "My concern is that we have a looming liability hanging over the city right now that could impact us by millions of dollars."

Roetter referred to the complex North Idaho Building Contractors Association v. City of Hayden class action lawsuit regarding the lawfulness of sewer capitalization fees the city charged builders.

"It's a catch-22, almost, because how do we grow when the city of Hayden or the taxpayers may have to pay millions of dollars?" he asked. "Insurance is not covering this lawsuit."

Stam, who was present at the meeting, said while he appreciates the fact that Roetter voted "no," he feels Hayden Village will be a revenue generator.

"What the development is going to bring to the city of Hayden tax-wise is enormous," Stam said. "I just can't see how that would ever be an issue with the money that this is going to bring Hayden."

Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts said Hayden Village will open the city "in a wonderful way."

"We are thrilled for continued investment in Hayden," he said. "The planning and zoning committee, the staff of Hayden and the leadership at Hayden Village, LLC worked together to make this possible. We are so grateful for the investment that people are making in Hayden."