Ross Park planned-unit development moves forward

A planned-unit development sought to be built next to Ross Gold Park and near the intended route of the Carson City freeway was recommended by a citizens panel Wednesday.

Planning Commissioners approved Ross Park, a planned-unit development in the 4700 block of Snyder Avenue. The 23 two-story detached homes would each be built on a 1.24-acre, three-sided parcel bordered by Snyder, California Avenue and Appion Way.

Most cited as a concern by neighbors is a dearth of street parking within the project area.

There will be rules for homeowners regarding where they can park, but rules "are made to be broken," said Tom Ashley, who lives nearby.

"They'll use Ross Gold (Park) for parking," said Jim Godec, another neighbor.

The developer will have to resurface portions of Appion and California. Another resident, Lisa Clark, would like to see the entire span of California upgraded to keep cars from kicking up dust as traffic increases on it.

All three would like to see fewer homes built within the site, they said.

The two-car garages will have additional space for storage, so most residents would be able to get two cars inside. However, "I think we're kidding ourselves," said Commissioner Connie Bisbee about the lack of parking inside.

Three bedrooms can mean three cars, she said.

Visitors would be able to park on Appion and California. Snyder will be the site of a bicycle path so it wouldn't have parking along the project area.

Sought as part of this project is a reduced project-site size. Other exceptions include allowing 750-square-foot lots in a zone where 6,000 square feet is the current minimum, and a less-than-normal periphery setback.

As focus begins on construction of the southern portion of the freeway, "there's an increased interest in rezoning properties," said Lee Plemel, the city's principal planner. "This should be a surprise to no one."

Discussions about ways to keep people from parking in Ross Gold Park and in front of surrounding residents' homes will continue.

"There are ways to solve the parking problem," said Commissioner Mark Kimbrough. He suggested two-hour limits or resident-only rules in the neighborhood surrounding Ross Park.

The plan goes next to the Board of Supervisors for its approval.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

In other business

The commissioners:

• Opted against accepting an appeal filed by Goodwill Industries. The group was considering a site for lease within a retail-commercial zone, where sales of second-hand goods aren't allowed, the Planning Department determined. The nonprofit considers itself a career-training organization, with retailing as its curriculum, so a training center would be allowed within the zone, the group countered. Goodwill could ask the Board of Supervisors for a final decision.

• Recommended additions to the Unified Pathways Master Plan that would allow for the Carson River Aquatic Trail and move a bike path from Arrowhead Drive to the south side of the Carson City Airport.

• Approved construction of a small indoor-pitching facility at Governors Field.