Planning commission OKs Big George project

The Douglas County Planning Commission voted 4-2 Tuesday to approve a master plan and zone change amendment for Georgetown Village, a north county project proponents say would bring much-needed affordable housing.

The amendments, which must be approved by Douglas County commissioners, would increase the number of units from 366 to 630, including a bonus density for affordable housing.

The proposed project is on the east side of Highway 395 along Topsy Lane.

Raymond Sidney, president of Big George Ventures, said Douglas County was in desperate need of work-force housing, a comment echoed by several speakers.

"We're not talking super-high density like New York City," Sidney said. "We feel Georgetown Village fills Douglas County's needs and complements the rest of Carson Valley and its rich history.

"The bottom line is high quality, environmentally friendly, affordable housing. Those are the three pillars upon which Big George Ventures is based."

Planning consultant Keith Ruben, representing the project, estimated it would be 2012 before the first certificate of occupancy was issued.

In July 2007, county commissioners approved a plan for the property that included 254 patio homes, 27 duplexes, 56 four-unit townhomes and 18 common-area parcels.

But at the hearing on the project, the developer sought a new amendment after county commissioners approved Max Baer's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion and Casino on the property directly to the west.

Robbe Lehmann, Georgetown Village project manager, said he and Sidney and Don Smit, representing Max Baer, traveled to Las Vegas together to tour casino properties and housing developments.

Lehmann said the development was getting "no freebies" from Douglas County.

In order to achieve the density, Lehmann said Big George Ventures would bring development rights from the Sarman ranch.

"We're under contract on approval of the applications to preserve this beautiful area of the Valley," Lehmann said.

Sidney said the project would exceed standards in making the single-family and multi-family attached homes "livable."

"We want people to say, 'It's so great here; it's just an incredible home. I'm so glad I live here,'" Sidney said. "We can do more than the standard."

Ruben said he couldn't say when the project would be built out, but estimated it would be in 10 phases, each built in two years. He said some of the phases could overlap.

Several speakers encouraged approval of the master plan amendment, extolling Sidney's many contributions to Valley schools and other projects in the last few years.

JoJo Townsell, director of the MeFiYi Foundation and "chief volunteer" of the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley, said he'd toured a "concept house" under construction by Big George Ventures and encouraged the commission to support the amendment change.

"They've been very committed to this community over the years. They are definitely here to stay," he said.

Whittell High School Principal Sue Shannon said it was rare to find an individual so committed to provide high quality education.

"He (Sidney) has provided field lights, a stage, added a gymnasium to Whittell, put in a track at South Tahoe Middle School. He's highly committed," Shannon said.

In addition, Big George provided millions in funding for the Douglas High School new football field and track, $400,000 to the Carson Valley Arts Council and $1 million in funding for the BlueGo shuttle between Carson Valley and the South Lake Tahoe/Stateline area.

Douglas High School Principal Marty Swisher emphasized the need for affordable housing.

"In the last two years, it's become more and more difficult for people to find affordable housing," Swisher said. "I know students who graduated from Douglas High School who will not be able to return here because they can't afford to live here."

Minden resident Jack VanDien said he appreciated Sidney's contributions, but felt the project should stand on its own.

"I'm opposed to denser housing," he said. "The greater the density, the greater the demand placed on county services."

Lawyer Bryce Alstead, representing Max Baer, said Baer wasn't opposed to Georgetown Village. He reminded commissioners that Big George Ventures was suing Douglas County to have the casino zoning overturned.

"There is no incompatibility between the casino and what was proposed (by Big George Ventures) last year," Alstead said. "If there's no more casino, there's no more need of multi-family. The lawsuit should be overturned."

Planning Commissioner Mike Olson, who is running for county commission, recused himself because Big George Ventures and Sidney donated $10,000 to his campaign.

Commssion Chairwoman Margaret Pross, commissioners Rick Ross, Jim Madsen, and Lawrence Howell voted for the master plan amendment and commissioners JoEtta Brown and Bob Conner voted to deny it.

The Douglas County Commission, which has the ultimate say on the matter, is to hear the requests at its Sept. 4 meeting.