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On September 24, 2024 the Hayden City Council had a lively discussion and vote regarding the expansion of the Hayden Urban Renewal District.
As we were discussing the pros and cons of the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency (HURA) getting the additional 10% added to their district, I wanted to give one last statement in opposition to it before the final vote. So, please listen to this short portion of my presentation that's 1 hour and 15 minutes into the meeting. There is a 6-minute recess in the middle that you can fast forward:
I had written the statement out ahead of time so this is the text of what I intended to read, although I did change a few words in the presentation as I kept getting interupted:
"Another aspect of Urban Renewal is that they buy property, like they bought the Owl Cafe. When we give them control of properties they are able to buy those properties. This opens to door to what HURA can purchase. I am here tonight to protect private property rights and stand up for the taxpayers of Hayden.
This "Resolution to Accept Eligibility Report for HURA Expansion" is long so I will just focus on the two paragraphs that to me are deja vu all over again. And it’s closely connected to the comprehensive plan as well.
The second paragraph on page 2 comes from the inception of the HURA district in 2005:
“At the time of adoption, the district plan’s primary goals were for public improvements and facilities to: provide an improved environment for a new commercial and mixed use development; Eliminate unsafe conditions; assist potential owner participation and other developers to create appropriate development sites through consolidation of existing similar parcels and where necessary, through acquisition, demolition, and deposition activities; and otherwise prevent the extension of deterioration and reverse the deteriorating action of the area.”
That’s what was said in this report about urban renewals conception. Notice the mention of mixed use.
The next paragraph On pages 5 and 6 of this document brings us fast forward to today and refers to the Future Land Use Map:
“All properties contained within the expansion area are currently zoned commercial. The future land-use plan’s intention is to make it more uniform, designating all parcels along the east side of Govt way as mixed use and keeping the parcels on the west side of Government Way commercial. As this plan gradually takes affect, existing uses may need additional infrastructure improvements to support new uses and future growth.”
So just for a little ride down memory lane about the comprehensive plan.
See attached Future Land Use Map (FLUM): Mixed use is the new zone brought to us by the City of Hayden, and the Comp Plan in 2020 and the whole east side of Government way is designated as mixed-use.
I showed the 1,700 list: After the comp plan was adopted, the community development team initiated a city funded rezone of 1,700 properties. Had that city wide rezone not been stopped, the whole east side of Government way, as well as many other properties, would be zoned mixed use right now. Mixed Use is apartments. As one P&Z commissioner stated, it’s like a "Get Out of Jail Free Card" for developers.
See attached letter:
So then we were also given these letters. 1,700 residents of Hayden received in April 2021 telling them that they were going to be rezoned, I myself included.
See attached memo:
Upon further research I came across this Hayden inter city memo stating:
“What are the team’s thoughts? We need to get properties zoned mixed residential and mixed use to get some of these projects going. People have invested millions in our community with the thought of doing mixed use and mixed residential developments.”
Incidentally, the person who wrote that memo is now the director of HURA.
Therefore, I see this “Resolution to Accept Eligibility Report for HURA Expansion” as subjective and a way to further Mixed-Use, growth, possible property acquisition, demolition, and deposition with no accountability to the Elected City council or it’s citizens. It’s basically a blank check and credit card with no guarantee of what their plans actually are.
Some seem to trust HURA 100%, and hopefully believe that they will do what we hope they will do. But I’m not content to govern a city based on blind faith. We are here to protect the taxpayers of Hayden, and I don’t think it’s wrong to ask for contracts, signed agreements, and openness where millions of dollars and private property rights are concerned.Therefore I am voting no again"
Shortly after I spoke the “Resolution to Accept Eligibility Report for HURA Expansion” was passed with 3 YES votes against my NO vote.
I want to assure you that I am looking out for the best for Hayden. My goal is to protect private property rights and to limit government overreach. I am here for you and I want to stay true to who I am and who you voted for. Ever since the City Council started talking to HURA about the expansion, HURA has refused to give assurances to the city as to what projects they are willing to do and for how much. The HURA board operates independantly. Please see the attached photo of the meeting where the HURA director is reaffirming that the HURA board operates independantly.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you are able to come to our meetings they are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights at 5PM.
Sandy White
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