Board votes to uphold duplex permit approval

Despite vocal opposition, Carson City’s Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Wednesday to uphold a Planning Commission decision to allow a duplex at 1512 N. Nevada St.

The decision, with Supervisors Jim Shirk and Karen Abowd dissenting, upheld the commission’s decision to authorize a special-use permit for Steve Yochum to build another house on his property, which currently has one house. In that sense, duplex in this case refers to two detached houses side by side. Neighbors worried about the impact opposed the plan.

“I’m concerned that one more (duplex) is going to be the tipping point,” said Donna Inversin, a neighbor who voiced her worry more duplexes mean continuing change in the neighborhood’s character from single-family dwellings to multi-family rental housing.

“You open a Pandora’s Box,” said John Schulz, sounding a similar theme. Jessica Schulz appealed, saying it would be detrimental to single-family homes and questioning the rationale upon which the commission had made its decision.

Supervisor Brad Bonkowski, who made the motion to uphold, said Yochum had met requirements and the project conformed with code. He said the neighborhood concerns dealt with people problems.

He noted there can be problems with single-family homeowners’ care of property and behavior, and those of landlords or renters, as well as positive behavior by people in each of those categories. He was joined by Supervisor John McKenna, who seconded the motion, and Mayor Bob Crowell in voting to uphold the commission’s decision.

Shirk and Abowd took note of the neighbors’ testimony when they dissented.

“I’m concerned,” said Abowd, “about the domino effect for the neighborhood.”