Commercial park could hit 5 acres along Lancaster

Hayden could see another commercial development along its northern perimeter as soon as the city annexes a chunk of land near Lancaster Road and U.S. 95.

That annexation process will begin this summer as soon as developers Mountain Ridge Holdings make a formal request.

The City Council on Tuesday told Mountain Ridge it would be interested in annexation of the 4.9-acre parcel, which lies within the city’s impact area between the Government Way and the U.S. 95 rights of way.

The owners plan to build a coffee kiosk at the site, and further development could include a small commercial center.

Owners must prevail at two public hearings before they get final approval.

“That could be a 60-day process,” said Melissa Cleveland, Hayden’s community and economic development director. “I would say by the end of July.”

Hayden’s boundaries are on both sides of U.S. 95, including the area along Vernon Baker Lane to the west, and a wooded area north of Lancaster Road on the east side of Government Way known as Hayden Canyon, but Kootenai County has jurisdiction over the small parcel lying between.

Developers could take advantage of city amenities including its infrastructure if annexation is approved. Approval would also make the parcel subject to the jurisdiction of just one entity — the city of Hayden — instead of three, including the county, highway district and the rules of the impact district.

“It simplifies it,” Cleveland said.

The city would also benefit because developers would pay for city services.

Eric Smith, Mountain Ridge’s manager, wrote that annexation seems logical for both parties and plans include livening up the busy corner.

“Our ultimate plan is to develop the site into a small commercial park, bringing jobs and significant economic benefit to the city,” Smith said.

The land is assessed at $603,000 by the county.