Lyon landscape ordinance up for public hearing"again

The Lyon County Board of Commissioners may relax or even rescind a landscape ordinance that took effect in January.

Developers say the rule is slowing industrial development.

The ordinance requires up to 15 percent of a property including industrial lots be landscaped.At the close of a six-month trial run, the board revisited the issue and decided to schedule a second public hearing.

Water plays a part in the decision.

County Commissioner LeRoy Goodman noted that on a 50-acre industrial property, it would not make sense to require that seven acres be watered.

City Manager Donna Kristaponis says there needs to be a greater differentiation between those on a public utility system and those on private wells, because the ordinance says landscaping must have a separate meter.

Private wells are not metered.

The ordinance has affected peoples' decision to move into the county, says Bill Miles, president of both Miles Brothers Construction and of the Builders Association of Western Nevada.

"They're reeling when we tell them what the ordinance is," he says."I've had two properties fall out of escrow due to the landscaping ordinance and the road tax.

Bottom line is it has a huge effect on the cost of doing the building." Following complaints from business and builders, Lyon County Planning Director Steve Hasson (who did not write the ordinance, but is charged with administration) agrees that rollbacks are in order.

"Landscaping should be tailored to suit the activity," he says."Landscaping becomes a real impediment to industrial activity when forklifts and semi-trucks need the room to maneuver." However, he adds, landscaping is an important attribute to the community."We respect and realize differences in different areas on Lyon County," says Hasson.

"However, we want to have some common theme among all of them.

If an area looks attractive, it will entice investors to invest there." Conversely, he added, if a county has no landscape requirements while surrounding counties do, such a situation attracts those businesses that want to avoid any responsibility for the appearance of their premises.

A public hearing will be scheduled on the landscaping rules Thursday, Sept.

15, tentative time 9:30 a.m.

at the County Administrative Complex in Yerington.

Existing companies are grandfathered out of the ordinance, but adding to the stickershock of new firms planning a move to Lyon County is the road tax.

The road tax was levied as a way for the county to fairly allocate the cost of road maintenance, says Josh Foley, comptroller.

It took effect in May, to be paid on new construction.

The cost: $700 per each new residence or 75 cents per square foot on commercial buildings.

Lyon County currently charges the maximum amount allowed by the state.

Previously the fee levied $650 per residence and 65 cents on industrial.

A public hearing will be scheduled on the road tax on Thursday,Aug.

18, tentative time 10:30 a.m.

at the County Administrative Complex in Yerington.