We're flabbergasted that the Douglas County Planning Commission rejected a request from longtime Valley resident Julian Larrouy to have a master plan amendment to rebuild the Valley Bar.
Frankly, we'd like to know why Larrouy had to pursue a master plan amendment in the first place.
The bar, which existed long before the Douglas County code was compiled and long before the concept of zoning in Carson Valley, burned to the ground in March.
Apparently the land the bar was sitting on was zoned agricultural and for some reason a bar is not an accepted use on agricultural land.
Frankly, the 1.79-acre parcel the bar sat on is also not a conforming use, since the minimum parcel size for agricultural zoning is 19 acres.
Thank goodness no one at the county required Larrouy to buy another 17 acres to come into compliance.
While we recognize the county's duty to regulate drinking establishments and the potential problem posed by allowing a bar on any old parcel, there should be a provision in county code that allows reconstruction of a historic structure lost to fire or other disaster.
Fortunately, the planning commission is advisory in this matter. We believe that when county commissioners review this action, they will have the good sense to overturn the planning commission's action and approve rebuilding a Valley landmark.
