Verandah project gets green light from planning commissioners

A three-story, 149,630-square-foot senior living center proposed for the entrance of Minden, nearly the size of the Walmart planned for south Gardnerville, won the approval of the Douglas County Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Planning commissioners unanimously approved a special use permit and height variance for the project, the latter increasing the maximum building height from 35 to 45 feet.

Planning commissioner Lawrence Howell was absent for the meeting. The Minden Town Board approved the same project on Jan. 6.

"It's quite large, but does fit in well with the community," county planner Lucille Rao said Tuesday. "It's compatible with existing uses of neighboring parcels, and its impact on neighboring properties would be minimal."

Located on 8.6 acres of neighborhood commercial zoning between Highway 395 and Ironwood Drive, the Verandah would be part of the campus-like Minden Medical Mall that includes the existing Carson Tahoe Medical Center and a new 6,200-square-foot retail/office building.

The 116-unit Verandah would target independent "active" seniors 75 years of age and older. Amenities include a pool and spa, bistro, dining room, beauty salon, indoor theater, business center, barbecue area, outdoor seating, garden boxes, walking paths and benches, plus shuttle service and 24-hour onsite management.

"My clients will retain control of who resides in the community," said project engineer Audra Miller.

She said the site's existing infrastructure, its proximity to medical and commercial services, and its grand views of the Carson Range make the location ideal.

"Overall, we believe this will be a positive to the community and a benefit to all residents here," Miller said. "We believe this type of housing is needed."

Gardnerville resident Jim Slade commended much of the project, but questioned the need for a height variance.

"Why have height requirements if you don't stick by them?" he said.

He said granting the variance encourages other developers in the area to seek similar exemptions from code.

"The site is not narrow, shallow or with unusual topography," Slade said. "There is nothing exceptional about this property."

Planning commissioner Jim Madsen, who voted for the variance, said the county needs to revise its height restrictions.

"The county needs to change its darn code, and it hasn't done it," he said.

Miller said the additional height will not only help raise the building from a flood zone but also allow 10-foot ceilings to be constructed rather than 8-foot ceilings.

"This will allow units to be more open, brighter and with a better quality of life," she said. "My clients are also aware that this will be the gateway to the town of Minden and want to provide an aesthetically pleasing building."

Project manager Phil Shapiro said taller ceilings help create a more "dignified" space.

"Residents moving into communities like this are leaving much larger homes," he said.