Hayden council approves rezoning of King Sod site to light industrial

Hayden City Council voted to approve PZE 250102, a zone map amendment to reclassify the King Sod parcel from agricultural to light industrial, after a public hearing and deliberation.

Planning staff explained the property was annexed in 1991 and that the site sits north of the Spokane International Railroad and south of East Lancaster Road. Applicant representatives Justin Arntz and Wilson McSwain told the council the parcel is intended as a low-impact employment hub and argued the rezoning "supports the public good and the responsible growth for that area of the city of Hayden," aligning with the city's future land use designation. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval after finding the application met the five standards of approval, including compatibility with the comprehensive plan and neighborhood context.

Council members asked whether the 1.73-acre lot could receive a septic permit despite a 5-acre county guideline. Planning staff and the applicant said Panhandle Health District issued a septic permit because the lot was created before the 5-acre rule—effectively a grandfathered situation. Council also asked about the long-proposed Hutter Bypass; the applicant said the bypass could increase traffic past the site and would likely be a benefit to the business.

Councilmember (speaker 4) moved to approve the amendment with the finding it met Hayden City code standards; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded affirmative votes (Council member Schaeffer; Council president Rotor; Council member DePries). Mayor declared the motion passed.

The applicant presentation emphasized employment outcomes and buffering from adjacent uses; staff noted infrastructure issues (private well, forthcoming off-site frontage work) and that Panhandle Health had granted the septic permit. The council recorded no public opposition at the hearing.

The decision is a legislative zoning change; any future development on the parcel will be subject to building permits, applicable fire-district requirements and other conditions that accompany site development.