Commissioners deny Ranchos project

Concerns about traffic and density led to a 3-2 denial of an 85-home project by Douglas County commissioners on Thursday.

Ranchos LLC principal Keith Serpa proposed a change in zoning from 8,000 square foot lots to 12,000 square foot, that reduced the number of homes allowed from 95. The project is located at Dresslerville and Main River roads.

Because it is a planned development, the actual lot sizes vary but must average out to three units per acre.

Senior county planner Lucille Rao said commissioners approved a denser subdivision in 2002, but the project was not begun, and it expired after four years.

The density was never repealed, Rao said, because that would have been something the commission would have had to initiate.

“It’s not something staff would initiate because there is a property owner and they wouldn’t want that removed,” she said.

The property is located in receiving area, along with several other parcels along the Ranchos eastern and southern sides.

Receiving area can allow up to 16 units per acre, but developers have to transfer development rights from agricultural land. But critics have pointed out that might not be sufficient.

One major concern in September when the project came to light was the issue of traffic on Riverview and Highway 395.

Golf carts and pedestrians share one of the Ranchos’ main entrances with motorists as it passes through Carson Valley Golf Course.

According to the county transportation plan, Riverview is supposed to be widened to four lanes, which would have to include the bridge over the East Fork of the Carson River.

Gardnerville Ranchos resident John Sheridan, who serves on the district board, said the district is holding 600 acre feet of water, that could serve 600 1-acre parcels, which would handle the 85 units but that’s not the only project in the works.

A proposed 160-unit development project for property north of Riverview sought a continuance of a request before the Gardnerville Town Board on Tuesday.

That project would likely be accessed off Riverview, increasing the traffic density on the road.

Commissioners Danny Tarkanian, Mark Gardner and Walt Nowosad voted against the project. Wes Rice and Sharla Hales voted for it.