Apartment complex opponents appeal to supervisors

Besides reviewing the city’s tentative budget, the Carson City Board of Supervisors will hear an appeal of a recent planning commission decision at Thursday’s meeting, which starts at 8:30 a.m. in the community center.

Heaton Way resident Catherine Borde filed an appeal of the planning commission’s February decision to approve a 12-unit apartment complex on the southeast corner of Stafford Way and Silver Sage Drive.

Developed by Carson Luxury Housing LLC, the subject property is less than one acre. It resides within a planned unit development and is zoned neighborhood business. Multifamily housing is allowed in the zoning district with a special use permit. The complex would include three 4-unit buildings, each with two stories.

“We are asking that the building permit be denied,” Borde wrote in the appeal. “In addition to subjecting us to a building in violation of numerous codes, it would be an eyesore.”

According to the minutes of the Feb. 22 meeting, the SUP was approved on a 6-1 vote, with Planning Commissioner Nathaniel Killgore voting no. Neighbors to the project expressed concerns that multifamily housing would lower surrounding property values. Parking, noise and traffic were also concerns.

Carson City Associate Planner Heather Manzo noted apartments “are considered an acceptable and appropriate use within a neighborhood and are often times located adjacent to a single-family neighborhood,” according to the minutes.

Planning commissioners included several conditions of approval for the project, including a six-foot fence along Heaton Way and limited hours of construction.

In other action:

• Supervisors will review the city’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2024.

According to budget documents, the tentative budget includes 24 governmental funds with estimated expenditures of $136.4 million and 10 proprietary funds with estimated expenditures of $55.1 million.

Total general fund revenues are projected to increase 3.4 percent to $102.1 million in the next fiscal year, with property tax revenues increasing by an estimated $1.4 million or 4.5 percent. Intergovernmental revenues, including consolidated tax revenue, are projected to increase 2 percent year over year.

“Given the economic uncertainty resulting from inflation rates, the city is budgeting a conservative 2 increase for fiscal year 2024,” reads a budget summary signed by City Manager Nancy Paulson.

Total general fund expenditures are projected to increase by $3 million, or 3.5 percent, to $88.6 million in the next fiscal year. Salaries and benefits make up 76 percent of general fund expenses, according to budget documents. Approximately $8.9 million will be transferred to the capital projects fund. An ending fund balance in the general fund of roughly $9.9 million would represent 11.2 precent of expenditures.

• Supervisors will also review the capital improvement program for fiscal years 2024 to 2028.

According to budget documents, after the funding recommended in fiscal year 2024, the city “will still have $21.5 million in deferred maintenance for city facilities.”

• Supervisors will convene as the Redevelopment Authority to review various items, including tentative budget recommendations from the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee.

The full agenda with supporting materials can be viewed online: https://www.carson.org/government/city-meetings-live-broadcast-and-archives/agendas/board-of-supervisors-agendas-with-supporting-materials/2023-agendas-with-supporting-materials/04-20-2023-agenda-with-supporting-materials.