Gardnerville OKs Matley Ranch zone change

Plans to commercialize roughly 60 acres of agricultural land at the intersection of Highway 395 and Pinenut Road, an area historically known as the Matley Ranch, got the green light from the Gardnerville Town Board on Tuesday.

Town board members voted unanimously to approve the following:

1) A master plan amendment to change the land use of 37.75 acres from receiving area to commercial and 20.15 acres from agricultural to commercial; to amend the transportation plan to reflect a new location for Pinenut Road as it intersects with the proposed Muller Parkway; and to amend the Minden-Gardnerville and East Valley Community Plan Area boundaries and urban service area boundaries to allow town service to the site;

2) A zoning map amendment to change 57.9 acres of agricultural land (19 acre minimum parcel size) to general commercial, and 3.67 acres of office commercial to general commercial.

Town Engineer Tom Dallaire, who was appointed acting town manager after Jim Park leaves, explained that owner Peri Enterprises had entered a development agreement with Douglas County to build out its share of Muller Parkway and realign Pinenut Road.

Plans show Pinenut Road swinging out behind the proposed commercial site and connecting with Muller Parkway in a roundabout. Approximately 1.79 acres of the existing roadway, which intersects Highway 395 opposite 7-Eleven, would be abandoned.

"We're recommending annexation to the Town of Gardnerville to increase our tax base," Dallaire said. "It will increase taxes down the road when development hits."

Excluding the Walmart property, Dallaire said, the town currently has about 32 acres of vacant commercial property. Peri's proposal would add another 62 acres, though no specific development of the property was discussed Tuesday.

Project spokesman Keith Ruben, of RO Anderson Engineering, said the owner will have up to seven years to build improvements.

"The site purports all commercial development," he said. "No residential is included."

Ruben said the applicant hopes "to break ground as soon as possible."