The Hayden City Council tabled a preliminary plat of a “single-phase major subdivision” following a public hearing Tuesday night.

Councilor Ed DePriest ultimately motioned to table the matter, citing the "many questions and issues" that came up during the hearing.

The proposed subdivision includes 23 single-family residential lots on the 10-acre Woodman property east of East Viceroy Avenue and East Sandmyrtle Avenue.

The property already has a zone designation of R1, or single-family residential, city documents show.

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the preliminary plat July 21 and found it to be in accordance with city codes.

Even so, no residents spoke in favor of the project at either meeting. Many were concerned about the loss of the trees on the Woodman property, which is vacant forest land. Most of the trees will need to be removed under the preliminary plat.

“We all love the woods and want the trees to stay,” said Jordan Kincheloe during the July 21 meeting, adding that residents of existing homes in the area would benefit from a “tree line buffer” on both sides of the development.

Property owner Ian Woodman said the family “did not intend to develop the land” but cited economic decline as the reason behind the decision, according to city meeting notes.

Similar complaints arose in the meeting earlier this week.

“We were told there was no building going on in the area and the trees were staying,” said resident Mark Jones in part. “We would have not bought here if we had known that.”

Others argued that the city’s current infrastructure cannot support additional development.

“Our home is (already) on restrictive water use,” said resident John Hollister. “It is irresponsible to continue to add homes when the infrastructure to secure them is not available.”

The project applicant is Eric Olson of Olson Engineering, on behalf of the Ian M. and Rebekah L. Woodman Revocable Trust.

Editor's note: This story has been edited to reflect that the preliminary plat was tabled, not approved.