In the past decade, Carson City has grown 6.09% to a population of 58,639.
Mayor Lori Bagwell shared those 2020 census data findings at the Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday morning. Her comments were well-timed, considering the supervisors spent a significant amount of the meeting discussing two new housing development projects.
Previously denied by the Planning Commission, the supervisors voted to allow the Silver Oak development project on the corner of West College Parkway and Oak Ridge Drive to create 10-foot setbacks, rather than 30-foot setbacks, along John Mankins Park.
Residents stood during public comment to express concerns about the townhouse density, proximity to the park, and narrow streets in the development plans.
The supervisors acknowledged residents’ concerns but ultimately decided that the tentative subdivision map met the requirements for a variance request (allowing shorter setbacks) and complied with all other municipal code requirements.
Silver Oak developers also pointed out that John Mankins Park was designed with future high-density residences in mind. Trees and extra spacing along the park’s west edge create a setback and privacy for future Silver Oak residents.
The supervisors also approved a tentative subdivision map for the East Nye Lane development on the empty parcel between Otha Street and Debbie Way.
Public commenters asked that the supervisors consider finding some way to mitigate traffic along East Nye Lane, worried that the new houses would increase congestion.
The development did not meet parameters to trigger the need for a traffic study, but the city will require that developers construct sidewalk, curb, and gutter along the frontage on East Nye Lane.
The Public Works Department is currently reviewing the municipal code requirements dealing with traffic impact studies. In their meeting on June 3, the board reviewed staff’s progress and offered suggestions for new code requirements. Public Works is aiming to present the board with an item for discussion or possible action to modify the code at the end of this year.
Hence, future developments similar to East Nye Lane may face different requirements and fees in finding ways to mitigate the impact that new houses have on traffic flow.
Among other agenda items, the board:
• Approved a revised contract with Charles Abbott Associates, which provides building permit services to the city. The contract edits set forth a flat percentage rather than a sliding scale percentage in allocating permit fee revenue between Charles Abbott and the city.
• Adopted a resolution to transfer a portion of the city’s 2021 Private Activity Bond Volume Cap to the Nevada Rural Housing Authority. This will allow the NRHA to continue to provide affordable mortgages to Carson City residents.
The Parks and Recreation Commission and Open Space Advisory Committee also met this week. Both boards are in continual discussions about a dog use policy for the city, trying to delineate where dogs may be on leash, off lease, or prohibited.
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