Housing development back before commissioners

A proposed 500-home development in South Carson City that has drawn the ire of residents in the sparsely populated area will be back before planning commissioners this week.

The more suburban development on about 150 acres in the rural area near Racetrack Road is backed by two developers and city staffers who say the vacant land is in an ideal spot to help satisfy Carson City's growing housing needs.

It is opposed by a group of neighboring residents who live on one-acre lots and say development should follow suit of what's already there and respect the area's rural appeal.

The plan, up for a vote at Wednesday's Carson City Planning Commission meeting, would rezone 253 acres, clearing the way for the development. It is virtually the same as the plan, with a few clarifications, that dozens of residents showed up to oppose.

"The basic proposal remains the same, but it puts some of the developers' ideas into policy," said Carson City principal planner Lee Plemel.

The developer plans to build on half-acre lots, as long as their one-acre counterparts, but only half as deep, near already occupied areas. That way, existing neighbors will see lots that look just like theirs when they look out the window, said Mark Rotter, an engineering consultant working on the project. Smaller lots will be farther away and out of sight of the existing residents.

The newest proposal makes those and other design elements requirements, rather than conceptual designs.

If the commission approves the plan, it will be sent to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.

A go-ahead for the development would put an end to races at Champion Speedway.

One of the developers has an option to buy the racetrack, should the development be approved. If it's not approved, racing will continue at the track next year and into the future. This racing season will continue, regardless of the developers' plans.

The development would also include the extension of Topsy Lane at Highway 395 in Douglas County to Schulz Way.

n Contact reporter Cory McConnell at cmcconnell@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

What: Carson City Planning Commission meeting

When: Wednesday. The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m.; the development item is at 6:45 p.m.

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