Development plan near racetrack meets resistance from neighbors

Developers seeking to turn mostly vacant land surrounding the Champion Speedway racetrack into a "medium-density" subdivision felt the ire of neighboring residents when they laid out a conceptual building plan Wednesday.

About 70 residents stuffed the Carson City Planning Commission meeting to decry the development of about 150 acres in South Carson City.

People said they bought homes and land in the area near the Douglas County border because of its rural feel, and changing the area's zoning to allow more urban development would be analogous to changing the rules after the game had already begun.

"When I buy property, I feel the zoning is almost somewhat like religion," said resident Patricia Puchert.

"We're not Californians. We should not be packed in like rats," she added.

Engineering consultants heard much of the same comments when they held a first public hearing on the proposal in December.

The plan unveiled Wednesday included several elements that Capital Engineering official Mark Rotter said would keep the highest density of homes away from existing landowners.

Now-vacant land nearest existing homes on one-acre lots would be on lots ranging in size from one-third -to three-quarters of an acre, he said. And they would be divvied up so the lots would look just as large from the road as the existing parcels.

The density of housing would increase in the parts of the development farthest away from current residents.

The attempt to reduce the impact of development on existing homeowners wasn't good enough for much of the crowd, which extolled the virtues of the sparsely developed land.

"To put that density of homes in that area is a crime," said a teary-eyed Deedee Foremaster. "All you've got left is that valley."

Others raised concerns about the increased traffic the development would undoubtedly bring, and said the city's plans for extending Topsy Lane to handle traffic wouldn't be enough.

However, one resident braved the hostile crowd to support the development.

Lisa Young reminded the gathering that most housing developments in Carson City have been opposed by neighbors - including the ones where the meeting's attendees live.

"I think we need to make room for people," she said. "A lot of people haven't bought a house yet. These are police officers, firefighters ... and they can't afford to live here."

Young said other nearby residents support the development, but would rather not brave the throngs of neighbors opposing it.

If the development is approved, it would mean the end of racing at Champion Speedway. Developers Reynen and Bardis have an option to buy the racetrack land. If the development does not move forward, the racetrack will stay, and racing will continue for as long as the subdivision is in limbo.

n Contact reporter Cory McConnell at cmcconnell@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217