Castlewood Subdivision Rejected Hayden Mayor Who Is Also The Developer Sits Out, Acknowledging Conflict Of Interest

The City Council on Tuesday evening turned down a request to approve Castlewood Court.

The decision was greeted with delight by many who live near the proposed subdivision. Neighbors had hired an attorney and circulated a petition fighting the proposal, partly on the grounds that its 56 lots were too many to put on the triangular piece of land.

“It should conform to the neighborhood. That’s not too much to ask,” said Paul Wheeler, who lives in adjacent Finucane Estates.

Others objected because the subdivision is a project of the city’s mayor/developer Mike Sperle, and they see his dual role as a conflict of interest. Sperle acknowledged the conflict on Tuesday night, and stepped down to sit in the audience while the vote was taken.

Council member Karl Janson moved to turn down the subdivision. Darlene Ferrians seconded the motion. The remaining council members, Suanne Dedmon and Frank Martin, abstained.

“The plat is not approved,” said Ferrians, who served as acting mayor.

The city’s attorney, Mike Vrable, recommended against approval. He said Castlewood must not exceed three homes per acre if it is to conform with the city’s comprehensive plan.

That would have required dropping eight homes from the plan. Last month, Sperle offered to drop four houses. Eliminating more would make the project unprofitable, according to his attorney, Steve Wetzel.

Wetzel left the meeting after the vote and Sperle resumed his role as mayor. Neither was immediately available for comment.

Steve McCrea, the attorney who represented the neighbors, said he was surprised by the council members’ abstentions. Wheeler and several of McCrea’s other clients said they expect Sperle to return with another proposal for Castlewood.

, DataTimes