Walley's proposal prompts safety concern

The prospect of a pedestrian crosswalk on winding Foothill Road, which has a 55 mph speed limit, was the chief concern for Genoans reviewing the expansion of David Walley's Hot Springs Resort & Spa on Tuesday night.

The entrance to the expansion of Walley's to the west side of Foothill would be right across from the resort's north entrance.

R.O. Anderson Engineer Jeremy Hutchings said a crossing to the east side of the resort would be marked by a warning light, signs and a number of other means.

However, Hutchings did not hold out hope that the Nevada Department of Transportation would agree to lower the speed limit.

Walley's controlling partner Gary Grottke told Genoans he would have no objection to a lower speed limit on the highway.

Native Bill Brooks said he typically used Foothill and Muller Lane to travel from Genoa to Minden and Gardnerville.

"I've been driving that road all my life," he said. "I strongly encourage you to put in a tunnel underneath the road."

Grottke said the largest part of the project is located on the north side of the property where the terrain is flat. The four-story buildings proposed for the site are within the county's height ordinance. He said two-story buildings would be located on a hillside to the south of the larger portion.

Responding to concern about trucks hauling material from the site, Hutchings said all the material removed would be used on site.

The project includes nine phases which would build 216 new timeshare units in 17 buildings. The last phase would not be scheduled to begin until 2024.

Grottke said Walley's first began building timeshare units in 1998 and that the phasing has changed over the years.

He acknowledged that Genoans are the best customers for Walley's restaurant. He said he didn't anticipate a lot of traffic between the two halves.

"The plan doesn't encourage a lot of going back and forth," he said.

The project went before Douglas County commissioners on Thursday. Walley's is seeking a change in its special use permit, which does not require a stop at the planning commission.

"We're essentially asking to do what we have been doing," he said.

Grottke reassured Genoans that property owners are not seeking a casino on the site.