Hayden OKs subdivision code change

The Hayden City Council approved language in city code that streamlines both the application and review process for landowners and applicants.

The language changes — specifically to subdivision code — addressed, among other issues, how boundary lines can be adjusted, removing the two-point cap to coincide with Post Falls and Kootenai County code.

The move also changes language that fixes inequities in relation to open space requirements for bigger developments. Before Tuesday’s vote, subdivisions with 50 or more acres had to dedicate 10 percent of their land to park space, while developments 49 acres and under didn’t need that requirement. (City staff say, subdivisions will still conform to the city’s comprehensive plan, which seeks out public parks and open space.)

Melissa Cleveland, Hayden’s community development director, said changing language to the code isn’t something the city relishes, but the timing made sense, especially with votes over the city’s comprehensive plan hovering in November and December.

“There are always changes we’re wanting to make to the code, but it’s a timing thing,” she said Monday. “It takes a lot of time. It costs a lot (of time and hours) to codify. It’s not something where you want to just hop in and out of the code very often. So this is an opportunity to clean up the language.”