Dayton Valley residents oppose location of proposed affordable housing units

DAYTON - Residents of the Dayton Valley Country Club said they oppose construction of low-cost homes near the golf course development.

Arthur Seavey, executive director of Citizens for Affordable Housing, went before Lyon County commissioners last week to ask for support for a "sweat equity" affordable-home development within the Dayton Valley planned community.

One of the criteria for federal and other funding for such projects is a letter from local officials acknowledging that Citizens for Affordable Housing is developing in their area and indicating their support. According to Seavey, the letter does not have to be site specific, but helps if it is.

Seavey said his group is negotiating for the purchase of 12.43 acres on the corner of Lakes Boulevard and Dayton Valley Road with the intention of building 24 single-family homes, 20 units of senior housing and, possibly, a medical facility. The property is adjacent to the Dayton Valley Country Club.

"These will be working families seeking the American dream of home ownership. The families generally put in 1,200 to 1,500 hours of work and take tremendous pride in their homes," Seavey said. "The projects generally have(contracts) to keep them as nice looking neighborhoods."

Ray Arnett, president of the Dayton Valley Homeowner's Association, said approximately 150 people whom he has contacted were against the project in their neighborhood.

"We are not against affordable housing, but everyone I contacted is against having it there. The people feel very strongly about this. The residents recommend you not approve the project. It is wrong for this area," he told the board.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to write a letter stating support of affordable housing in Lyon County in concept and objecting to the project being located at the proposed site.

"Nobody is against affordable housing in Lyon County; however, I think the concern here is location and the impact it would have on traffic and values of adjacent homes," Commissioner LeRoy Goodman said.

Joe Wade, chief executive officer of Dayton Valley Investors LLC, owners of most of the undeveloped lands within the planned community surrounding the golf course, also spoke in opposition to affordable housing being allowed in the vicinity.

"I don't object to self-help homes. My only objection is to its proposed location. It's a matter of where these projects are appropriate," Wade said. "I would oppose this project every step of the way if they wish to locate here."

The primary reason given for opposition was the possible undermining of property values in the upscale, master-planned community surrounding the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course.

The homes in the proposed project would be constructed using a mutual self-help housing method, also known as "sweat equity." Families must contribute 35 hours per week and do 68 percent of the labor. The homes are available to families making between $17,000 and $42,800 per year (30 to 80 percent of the median income in Lyon County).

The USDA provides mortgages and verifies incomes of applicants. No tax breaks are given. The senior housing would be funded through a USDA loan, entailing tax credits to encourage investors, but would not include any property tax abatements.

Citizens for Affordable Homes completed a similar project in June 1998 consisting of 15 homes on Pike Street in Dayton. Projects have also been completed in Gardnerville, Fallon and Carson City.