The mere proposal of a commercial project on Peri Enterprises land south of Gardnerville prompted more than a dozen comments on The Record-Courier Web site, reopening the growth debate.
Gardnerville residents didn't get a formal chance to comment on the proposed master plan amendment because it was pulled from Tuesday's town board agenda. If Peri plans to pursue the project, they'll have to come back to Gardnerville's Aug. 4 meeting to make the Aug. 11 planning commission meeting.
Proponents say they will need water to support 1.5 million square feet of commercial floor space. That's six times the size of the Walmart at Clear Creek Plaza. The largest of the 31 buildings is only half the size of the Walmart, so this may not be the confirmation of that longstanding rumor.
It seems like an odd time to pursue a large commercial project in Carson Valley. Minden Gateway Center is being sued by contractors. There's not much activity on the large flat spot across from the Walmart where a mall and casino are supposed to be built. The newest commercial center in Gardnerville has one tenant.
All three of these projects have one thing in common. Someone actually tried to build something on them. There are two casinos approved for either end of Highway 395 between Minden and Sunridge.
The land where Minden Gateway sits, now surrounded by a tumbleweed-collecting fence, was vacant for decades.
Clearly the lesson here is to be the one selling commercial land, not the one actually trying to build something on it.
If history is any teacher, the conversion to commercial zoning should ensure the land will remain open space for at least the next 20 years.
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