County will rehear Valley Christian Fellowship permit

Residents fighting construction of a church adjacent to their Gardnerville Ranchos neighborhood were given another shot on Thursday.

Douglas County commissioners voted 4-1 to grant a rehearing of a special use permit for Valley Christian Fellowhip.

Outgoing commission chairman Kelly Kite opposed the rehearing.

Commissioners originally approved the permit on Dec. 4 3-2, overturning a planning commission denial in the process.

Pleasantview resident James Baushke and Ruhenstroth resident Doug Johnson voted against the proposal.

The proposed church is 30,000 square feet, and neighbors felt its presence will increase traffic and interfere with their enjoyment of the property.

No date has been set for the rehearing, but it could be heard as early as the commissioners' Jan. 5 hearing.

A different board will hear the item, with Greg Lynn and Mike Olson taking their seats replacing Baushke and Kite.

In a Dec. 9 letter, Silveranch resident Thomas Zogorski Jr. asked county commissioners to reconsider their decision to approve the church.

Zogorski wrote that he's appealing commissioners' approval on behalf of the neighbors, who oppose the church because they fear it will affect their property values.

In his letter, he pointed out that the church had not received approval from the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District for water service, and that proponents would have to obtain water rights.