Fuji zone change, open space head to planning commission

Zoning changes necessary for the Costco/Fuji Park land deal will head to Carson City's Regional Planning Commission today.

Carson City is in the process of sending 15 acres of Fuji Park land to the city's redevelopment district. The plan must pass muster with planning commissioners before it heads to city supervisors for approval.

The park land is being eyed as a site for Costco and is zoned on the city's land map as public property.

The zoning designations determine what uses land can have. Planning commissioners will have to decide whether to change the parcel's designation to "general commercial."

A zoning change is needed because a land transfer to the redevelopment district would create a change in the city's master plan, because the master plan has the area zoned for commercial use in the future, Community Development Director Walt Sullivan said. The commission meets at 3:30 p.m. in the Community Center, 851 E. William St.

City officials contend the land across the street from Fuji Park and the fairgrounds is the only Carson City site that interests the warehouse company. Their efforts to land Costco came to public view about two weeks ago, and since then the city has been on a fast track to change the land to lure the development.

Adding the park land to the redevelopment district allows the city to negotiate with a retailer without going through a public bid process. Three public meetings last week showed city leaders and residents divided on the issue.

Most want Costco, but several oppose the possible loss of Fuji Park.

The planning commission meeting is the fourth of six public steps in the process.

"We want to make sure every procedure that could possible be construed is complete in this process,"Chief Deputy District Attorney Mark Forsberg said. We're not willing to take a chance. The city is making every effort to make sure this is done correctly."

City supervisors adoption of the plan and transfer of the land to Redevelopment Authority ownership is the fifth step in the process. The Redevelopment Authority would have to hold a public hearing before selling or developing the land, which gives the public at least one more opportunity for discussion.

-- Planning commissioners will also consider the adoption of the open space element to the city's master plan - for the third time.

Perhaps the third time will be a charm for the plan, which has been delayed by small technicalities since September.

A special planning commission meeting earlier this month failed to draw enough commissioners to approve the master plan amendment. Despite its unanimous "yes" vote from the four commissioners who were present, five members were required for full approval.

The planning commission, complete with at least five members, will revisit the plan today.

BREAKOUT

What: Carson Regional Planning Commission

When: 3:30 p.m. today

Where: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.