HAYDEN — Hayden city staff hosted an open house-style forum Thursday to hear feedback from residents on an intersection improvement. About 20 people attended, some with major questions about the proposed project.

“One of the most important things you can do is comment,” said Alan Soderling, public works director. “Because those are the things that are going to be shared with the council.”

City personnel presented proposals for either a roundabout or signal at Ramsey Road and Hayden Avenue. They included rough plans and data for the intersection and took comments and questions from anyone who attended.

Owners of the Qwik Stop, Great Escapes Espresso and residents from the Meadowlark mobile home park attended, representing three of the four lots in the intersection's corners.

People who live near the intersection or just commute through that area also attended to view the concepts and give feedback.

The gas station owners were able to address some major concerns about pump access. The trucks that deliver their gasoline cannot be smaller than 40 feet, so access with any of the proposed concepts did not yet address how they could refill their tanks.

“So their concern is particularly getting large trucks in and out to serve their large pumps,” said Adam Dorsey, city engineer.

When Dorsey was told of the access limitations, he was able to directly brainstorm solutions.

“They’ll be meeting with us in the near future and they’re going to come up with a plan that can compensate for our gas load, trucks and customers,” said Karan Kingra, owner of the Qwik Stop. “We’re not looking for compensation and the city won’t be able to compensate for the loss we’re going to face. But we spoke with Dorsey and he said the city can give us exits.”

As part of the report that will go before the council, Dorsey will likely include a revised draft with exit paths for the heavy truck traffic into the Qwik Stop.

“This is a time to collect all the information so the city can make an informed decision,” Dorsey said.

The mobile home park is also pushed against Ramsey Road on the northeast side, and any improvement would require homes to be moved.

“The problem is the gas station and the mobile home, they’re fighting each other,” Soderling said.

Patrick and Lisa Donaldson live in Meadowlark, in the home closest to the intersection.

“If I’m able to contact the property owner and see about relocating our trailer, and we can relocate it far enough that it wouldn't have to be removed, as long as I'm compensated for that being done, I’d be happy to stay where we are," Patrick Donaldson said.

The Donaldsons have lived there for years and prefer not to leave, though they’re open to the idea if it’s necessary and they’re given time.

“The roundabout would be better than a stop light, because that is a race track,” Lisa Donaldson said.

Other attendees generally agreed and feelings were positive for a roundabout, though the owners of the Qwik Stop prefer a signaled intersection.

“I think just from a safety point of view I prefer the roundabout,” Sue Edwards said.

Edwards said she likes how roundabouts look, and when people get used to them, she likes how they work.

The project likely won't move forward for a minimum of three years, according to Soderling, but the report can be expected to go before Hayden City Council in the coming months as the city staff takes feedback from the evening into account.