Supes uphold Fuji improvements

A Fuji Park neighbor Thursday challenged plans for park improvements, arguing they failed to include remedies to noise, traffic and other effects on his business.

Gene Lepire, owner of Comstock Country RV Resort, requested improvements promised by supervisors amid threats of commercial development in the area include limits on park hours of operation and a right-turn lane from Clear Creek Road.

He protested allowing recreational vehicle parking at the site, which he said creates city competition to his business and allows the city to operate the RV slots without the regulations he's required to meet.

He appealed a permit allowing improvements to Fuji Park, and while Carson City supervisors agreed Thursday some of his issues needed review they felt the city's Parks and Recreation Commission should deal with the questions.

Lepire said most parks only allow events until 10 p.m., while Fuji Park has no posted times -- hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- and users in the Exhibit Hall are allowed to stay until 1 a.m.

They're noisy and disturb his customers, Lepire said.

Overnight camping is allowed at parks if approved by Parks and Recreation Director Steve Kastens. Many events at Fuji Park require RVs and overnight stays, Kastens said, which is why RV's are allowed. He argued they are not intended to compete with Lepire's business, nor does he allow RVs to stay at the park except during special events.

Supervisors in May approved about $1 million in improvements to the park, which includes in its first phase pavement of a parking lot around the convention center, a playground, construction of new restrooms, the addition of electrical outlets in the ground, renovation of the picnic shelter and some grading work to prepare for future turf and parking. Improvements should begin at the end of August, Kastens said.