The Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno is requesting a special use permit for the construction of a Knights of Columbus meeting hall and memorial garden, just northeast of St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville.
Douglas County's planning commission unanimously approved the permit Tuesday.
"I have trouble saying no to the bishop in Reno," said Planning Commissioner Mike Olson.
The 4,088-square-foot building will be used for Knights of Columbus meetings and special events. Plans include a meeting room, kitchen, reception area, office and lounge. The memorial garden will contain a rose garden, sitting areas, gazebo, boulder seat wall, sand play area and detention pond.
The five-acre site, which is vacant, is zoned for single-family homes.
"The neighbors don't want a commercial-style building, so we're trying to incorporate the structure into the neighborhood," said Tom Dallaire of BSC Engineering, for St. Gall.
The project is expected to generate another 46 average daily and 8 peak hour trips. Improvements along Centerville Lane, including a right-turn pocket, bike lane, sidewalk and other improvements to Centerville are a condition for the project to support the proposed use.
Project chairman Mike Mullins said the 18-month process has been both timely and costly. A few hurdles remain, but he hopes to start the project this summer. "We will have to make some road improvements," he said. "There will be some major costs, but we'll deal with it as it comes."
He lauded Brandy Fox of Douglas County's Community Development department for her help.
"She was willing to listen," he said. "She did an outstanding job."
In other business:
-- Commissioners reviewed and unanimously approved revisions to Douglas County's master plan update, as recommended by the Board of Commissioners in January.
Commissioners reintroduced the "quality of life indicators" to the master plan as part of the criteria for a residential growth cap and a maximum two-acre parcel for clustered development outside a receiving area.
The planning commission stipulated a two- to five-acre parcel and eliminated the quality of life clause.
-- Planning commissioners approved a change in lot designation, from recreational vehicle storage to single-family zoning, on a parcel at 1300 Kimbles Way in Gardnerville, for developer Bruce Southerland.
"There was a change of ownership," said Keith Ruben of R.O. Anderson Engineering. "This developer wants to put single-family homes on 12,000-square-foot lots so he doesn't need the RV storage."
A 35 by 40-foot storm drain and irrigation easement was also removed.
Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.
