Commissioners to select three for planning board

On Monday, Douglas County commissioners are slated to appoint three residents to the planning commission out of a pool of 10 applicants.

That pool includes three incumbents, Robert Conner, Lawrence Howell, and Rick Ross, all seeking to retain their seats for the next term, which ends December 2014.

Conner, a consultant to physician offices who lives on Hot Springs Road, has served on the commission since 2003, including one year as chair.

"I have enjoyed my time on the commission even during the time of maximum growth in the county," he wrote in a letter to the county manager. "I would like to assist in the continued revisions of planning procedures and policies we are presently working on as well as any requests by developers and homeowners for new projects, changes to existing projects, or any other planning issues other than staff-initiated requests."

Howell, a Stateline resident and executive director of Rite of Passage, has been on the planning commission for four years, including the last year as chair.

"During the past four years, I have gained a solid understanding of the planning process as well as the needs of Douglas County," Howell wrote. "I have a strong desire to be a leading and supportive member of my community in any way in which I am qualified and that can benefit from my involvement."

Ross, general manager of Topaz Lodge, has spent five years on the advisory board.

"I have been a board member during one of the most tumultuous periods in recent history and have seen many changes at the county level," he said. "I believe the experience gained from being a part of the process during this time will enable me to serve the county as a planning commissioner even more effectively going forward."

Gardnerville resident and residential designer Jeremy Davidson said his work experience would be a good match for the board.

"As a design professional, I am familiar with building codes, local codes, and other codes like Gardnerville's 'Plan for Prosperity,'" he said. "As project manager, I have led in a team setting and have worked directly with clients establishing lasting relationships."

Long-time Gardnerville rancher Frank Godecke said his background would provide a different perspective.

"As a farmer, I can bring an agricultural perspective to the county planning process," he said. "I believe the county can continue to preserve large agricultural parcels in the Carson Valley without infringing on the property rights of those property owners. The county has the ability to enhance current tools as well as explore possible new tools, which could be used to help the business model of the large family farms of Carson Valley."

Rudy Hammond, a retired engineer who lives in Gardnerville, said he has a long history in project management.

"As a retired engineer with a long history in construction project management and as the focal point for multiple concurrent public works projects, I feel comfortable with the possibility of contributing to a team of planning commissioners," he wrote.

Minden land developer Scott Lether has 13 years of experience in project planning.

"Working with multiple counties throughout Nevada and California, my occupation has provided me opportunities to establish community master plans, design and build community infrastructures, define surface and underground water rights and allocate quantities within suburban and ranching communities," he said.

Gardnerville chiropractic physician Donald Miner said he adopted the current master plan as a county commissioner from 1995-2002.

"I would work to involve more private citizens in the public process of community planning," he said.

Gardnerville ranch hand John Rieman has experience as a board member on the Carson Valley Conservation District. He said he is seeking the planning commission position "to help the county and agriculture work together."

Gardnerville resident Steve Sweet, senior environmental specialist with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, said he wants to become more involved in the community.

"I believe my knowledge of the Tahoe region and my experience in conflict resolution will be extremely helpful in any leadership role in our community," he said. "I would like to become more active in local government and be a part of making Douglas County a better and more desired place to live."

n Scott Neuffer can be reached at sneuffer@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 217.