Hayden — The future of a proposed affordable-housing development will hinge on impact fees the town is planning to impose.

Ron Wendler’s and Craig Rathbun’s proposal to build 24 homes on a little more than five acres within the Golden Meadows Subdivision will not become a reality if impact fees are too costly, Wendler said.

“We are not against impact fees,” Wendler said. “We just need to get a good feeling of what the costs will be.”

Recently, Wendler approached the Town Board of Trustees in an attempt to find out how much impact fees for transportation, parks, trails and open space would cost because of the development.

Trustees were unable to give Wendler an exact dollar amount but assured the developer the cost will be consistent with the fees paid by developers of the recently approved Sagewood Subdivision.

“We are not going to submarine you with fees,” Trustee Ken Gibbon said. “We want to work with you.”

To discuss the issue further, Wendler will meet with the town’s Planning Commission later this fall. At that time, Wendler is expected to supply commissioners with a preliminary plat.

Town officials expect to use the impact fees paid for by the Sagewood development as a guideline.

Earlier this year, the board approved of the subdivision after developers agreed to pay the impact fees.

According to town records, developers of the project are paying $500 per lot for a park facility fee, $9,000 for trails, $5,800 for a drainage basin and $354 per lot for transportation.

The developer also agreed to donate 32 percent of the subdivision area for open space. The town mandates a minimum of 25 percent.

Wendler said he feels comfortable with the fees that were paid by the Sagewood developers.

“We are willing to pay up to that amount.” Wendler said.

Wendler said he is concerned they may not be able to donate 25 percent of the property for open space, as the town requires.

Town officials have indicated that if 25 percent of the property is not donated, the developers would have to pay a fee for open space.

“If we have to give up 25 percent of the property or give up 25 percent of the money, we can’t do the project,” Wendler said.

Wendler said he is hoping the town will waive this requirement because he and his partner are interested in lowering the density of the project. At this time, the property is mapped for 48 townhomes, which is a concern for board members.

Trustees favor a new proposal by the developers to reduce the density of the property to 24 homes.

“We want to keep this development at entry-level housing,” Wendler said.