Max Baer's casino project clears second hurdle

Planning Commissioner Lawrence Howell tipped the balance in favor of development of Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino Tuesday when he voted to approve the needed zoning change.

"Economically, Douglas County is not in a good position. Because of that, the county library and community center have reduced their hours. That's not okay," Howell said. "Without variances, we wouldn't have existing businesses like Starbucks. I'm voting to support the zoning map amendment."

The decision, which allows tourist commercial zoning with a gaming district overlay on 15.8 acres of a 23-acre site, was split 3-3 in June after Howell excused himself from the proceedings before the decision.

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

The vote was 4-3 with commissioners Margaret Pross, Jim Madsen and Rick Ross opposing.

A request for a special use permit was also approved 4-3 Tuesday, allowing unrestricted gaming use in this proposed commercial district on 97 acres in north Douglas County.

Commissioners Margaret Pross, Rick Ross and Jim Madsen opposed granting this special use permit.

The casino project includes a 40,000-square-foot gaming area with 800 slots and 16 tables, a showroom, cinema complex and five-story, 240-room hotel in almost 300,000 square feet.

Developer Max Baer Jr. and partners will also need a variance to build a 200-foot flameless oil derrick and readerboard, two 12-story, 240-room hotel towers and convention space, that decision expected later today.

Douglas County resident and long-time Bay Area planner Terry Burnes said these variances are akin to driving 100 in a 50 mile-per-hour zone.

"We requests for a 200-foot oil derrick and readerboard, two 12-story hotel towers, a substantial reduction in setbacks adjoining adjacent proposed residential development and a major reduction in parking," he said. "Why would we do that?"

Located east of Highway 395 between Sunridge Drive and Topsy Lane, the casino could shore up Douglas County's sagging revenues over time through gaming, room, sales taxes and more, according to county officials.

A brand-name project like this has tremendous potential, said Skip Sayre, one-time executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Authority.

"I am in favor of this project for the economic benefits it could bring to northern Nevada, especailly in the Douglas County/Carson Valley market," he said in an April 13 letter.

Sunridge resident Steve Buckley said he wasn't opposed to Baer having a casino here, but he doesn't want a 200-foot oil derrick and two 12-story hotel towers in his neighborhood.

"Let him build a few restaurants. Give us a chance to see how he really works and treats his clientele," Buckley said.