Foothill Road project denied

Flooding and septic system concerns were key in the denial of a request to subdivide 5 acres south of Mottsville Lane on Foothill Road into three parcels, the smallest 1.02 acres.

Neighbors surrounding the project appealed the approval by community development staff in late November.

"Flooding and septics are a problem in the area, but we added concessions and voted to approve the parcel map," said Brandy Fox, assistant planner with Douglas County's community development department.

"We'll be using denitrification systems for the septic," she said. "We're recommending denial of this appeal."

Due to the number of septic systems in the area, Cliff Lawson of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection warned against the use of standard septic systems.

Neighbor Allan Sapp argued that alternative septic systems are not an option because systems designed to remove nitrates are not monitored by the state or county.

Planning commissioner James Madsen said all parcels are subject to flooding and under the circumstances, he wants to know what bank would finance construction.

"Someone would have to mitigate this flooding issue," he said. "I don't know how the county approved it."

The planning commission voted 6-1 to deny the project, with commissioner Matt McKinney casting the one vote in support.

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