Town says no to 2-story homes

A request to allow two-story homes along the western edge of the proposed Ashland Park subdivision was recommended for denial by the Gardnerville Town Board on Tuesday.

Residents of Cardiff Drive who would have the lots requested for two-story homes back up on their homes turned out in force to oppose the request.

There are 17 homes affected by the change, Town Board member Lloyd Higuerra observed and nearly every address was represented either in person via email or a petition.

Town Manager Erik Nilssen said that minor modifications generally aren’t subject to a public meeting, but he felt it was important the board and residents knew the project was seeking a change from single-story to two-story.

Principal Planner Kate Moroles-O’Neill said that because it was a minor modification, the county wasn’t required to notice neighbors.

That was left to the Chichester Estates Homeowners Association.

The request is a sign that builders are planning to start work on the 190-unit project and the segment of Muller Lane Parkway along its eastern flank.

The highway and drainage improvements are expected to help reduce flooding in portions of Chichester Estates.

Douglas County officials said they plan to start work on the route across Park Cattle Holdings land in April.

Reports on a project located behind the Grant Avenue Walmart indicate that work on that segment of the road could begin next year, as well.

The Parkway has been on the books for more than 40 years as a means to reduce traffic through downtown Gardnerville and Minden. Connecting at Muller Lane north of Minden and Pinenut Road in Gardnerville, the route will eventually divert traffic north of the towns, though the county has prohibited trucks.