Project proponents hope reshuffle will result in approval

Planning commissioners split 3-3 over a zoning change that would allow construction of Max Baer Jr.'s $120 million Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino in north Douglas County. Following a protracted discussion Tuesday, the debate will be continued at the planning commission's July 10 meeting.

Commissioners Mike Olson, Matt McKinney and Bob Conner voted to approve the zoning change and Jim Madsen, Rick Ross and Margaret Pross opposed it, their decisions as individual as the people behind them.

Pross said the casino is not compatible with the community. The area is designated for mixed-use residential and commercial, as stated in Douglas County's master plan.

The project is located east of Highway 395 between Sunridge Drive and Topsy Lane.

"The master plan calls for a retention of the community's existing character, accommodating urban growth within the urban service area while maintaining the county's rural character in the balance of the community," she said. "The master plan describes that area as a bedroom community. Considering the high caliber of our planners, it puzzles me, as to how this came forward."

County planners recommended this project for approval and McKinney said he agreed with that decision.

"Just because Douglas County doesn't have the codes to deal with projects this size doesn't mean we can't have them," he said. "Let's do something different in Douglas County."

The zoning change to tourist commercial includes a gaming district overlay to allow unrestricted gaming use, that change restricted to15.8 acres of Baer's proposed 23-acre site.

Developers are also asking for a host of other variances.

The project will require a building height variance from the allowed 45 feet to 143 feet, as well as a height variance to allow a 200-foot oil derrick, an increase in the maximum sign area from 115 square feet to 2,600 square feet with two animated reader boards, an increase in the maximum number of sign faces from two to three and a reduction in the required number of on-site parking stalls from 2,707 to 1,540.

Olson said it's a good project but the variances pose a problem for him.

"They don't fit, but the location is appropriate," he said. "That type of commercial development will benefit the county."

The spa and casino, which includes many amenities, including a 40,000-square-foot gaming area, 43,000-square-foot cinema complex, restaurants, spa facilities and 720 rooms at buildout, could shore up Douglas County's sagging revenues over time through gaming, sales taxes and more.

Ross, manager of Topaz Lodge & Casino south of Gardnerville, challenged the affordable housing and wage reports for the project, which is expected to employ about 1,000 workers at buildout.

"I don't know where they (Hillbillies Casino developers) got the assumption that the average wage for casino workers is $67,000," he said. "I also have a tough time getting past the affordable housing issue."

Conner said he had no problem the a casino, which could be moved to lessen the impact on nearby neighborhoods.

"There's no reason a casino can't be moved further to the west to meet the requirement," he said. "That would solve the issue."

Citing a previous commitment, the seventh member of the Planning Commission, Lawrence Howell, excused himself from the proceedings at 5:30 p.m., about an hour before the decision. There was a tense moment, as county officials checked to determine whether the 3-3 vote meant denial or continuance.

Commission Chairman Bob Conner gave the casino developers the option of forwarding the project to the Board of County Commissioners, or a re-hearing with planning commissioners in July and they opted for the re-hearing.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.