The Pahrump Regional Planning Commission has recommended just one location for a proposed federal detention center, a 40-acre site on Parque Avenue a half mile east of Blagg Road.

Nye County commissioners will make the final determination in recommending the location. They are scheduled to vote next Wednesday.

The most desirable location, on Huxley and Panaca avenues at the far south end of Pahrump Valley near the Front Sight Firearms Training Academy, was withdrawn from consideration, leaving four Pahrump sites up for consideration.

Nye County Attorney Ron Kent told RPC members Wednesday that Roland Wiley, representing the property owner, the Roland Karl Wiley Trust, wanted the property removed from further consideration.

County Planner Jack Lohman said the planning department staff analyzed each application using general planning principles regardless of the property's ownership. Nye County submitted one site, while the town of Pahrump had two locations, including the preferred Parque Avenue site.

The planning staff recommended against approving the Parque Avenue location.

Assistant County Planner Cheryl Beeman said there was a lack of infrastructure in what she called a very remote site.

"Electricity is available but water, sewer and other infrastructure is not available. The subject site is located within one mile of undeveloped residential lots, and it is a highly visible location on the fan," Beeman said.

Pahrump Town Board member Dan Sprouse, however, said a federal detention center would bring needed infrastructure to that area.

"The constant battle is how Nye County is going to pay for all the infrastructure, water and sewer, to bring that (detention center) to this town. The bottom line is Nye County can't afford to do that," Sprouse said. "We could bring in a facility of this nature, put it where there are not homes."

Pahrump Economic Development Coordinator Al Balloqui blasted discrepancies by county planners in recommending some locations over others, which led to a sharp rebuke by County Commissioner Butch Borasky.

"I see a travesty here," Balloqui said. "I don't want to seem to be challenging the integrity of the planning department, but I have no other choice."

The Parque Lane site is the farthest from developed residences, Balloqui said. Yet it was recommended for disapproval and the Mesquite Avenue site was not. He asked if planners talked to Utilities Inc. about servicing the water and sewer.

"Mr. Balloqui," Borasky fired back, "you said you meant no disrespect of staff, but you ripped my staff a new rear end and you may have dug some holes with that sort of attitude."

Attorney Tony Celeste, representing the Geo Group, said a coalition spent six months analyzing sites. He said traffic going to the detention center would be minimal: a daily round-trip by bus taking prisoners to Las Vegas and roughly 300 employees.

In addition, Celeste referred to a condition of the approval, which he called a safety net.

"If the site is not selected for the construction of a federal detention facility the major master-planned amendment and accompanying zoning change to the community facilities zone will be null and void," he said. "If this is not an ideal property it will revert back to its current use."

Ken Fortier, representing Geo Group Inc., said the public will see a single-floor building surrounded by a fence, with no guard towers.

"Modern detention facilities can be made to look like a college campus," Fortier said, "albeit surrounded by a fence."

RPC member Nevada Tolladay, however, said when people drive by Indian Springs or Lovelock, they know there's a prison. He had concerns over a wash in the neighborhood, something Borasky said will be addressed in the development agreement.

Member Jacob Skinner noted the employment opportunities, the contribution of infrastructure in that area, the vicinity of light industrial development and absence of residences in making the motion for approval.

Member Norma Jean Opatik repeatedly advocated a site in the far north or far south of the valley. RPC Chairman Mark Kimball supported the Parque Lane location but said the choice wouldn't prevent commissioners from choosing another site.

Another town site at 1690 E. Mike Road and a Nye County site at 6871 N. Blagg Road were shot down by RPC member Carrick "Bat" Masterson, who pointed out that access would be through residential neighborhoods.

Planner Beth Lee said access to the Mike Road site would be along Simkins Road, where there's a mini-storage facility, a mobile home park and a restaurant/bar.

"The good thing is if they (prisoners) get out, there's a bar down the road," resident John Koenig quipped.

A touted 40-acre county site near the landfill at 2250 E. Mesquite Ave., which was recommended for approval by county planners, drew numerous objections from residents on Avenue of the Stars.

"I've been coming to this town for 30-some years, finally decided to retire, built my own home and I just finished it, and now you are proposing to put a prison right in my backyard," said Hector Velarde of 1841 E. Bonita St., who noted there are 11 homes in the vicinity. "Get some BLM land. It doesn't matter. Why put it where there's homes? The value of those will go down, and I will no longer feel safe, and I will have to sell at a rock bottom price to get out."

Nouella Davis, 2700 Avenue of the Stars, made a passionate plea, stating she has a disabled 4-year-old daughter who always felt safe in the neighborhood.

"We had to stay there for eight years without electricity or anything, and why? We like the beauty of the land, the freedom, wild horses running free," Davis said. "With that prison going in I can never feel safe for her."

Kimball said he initially felt the 160 acre E. Mesquite Ave. site was the best location, because of the size of the parcel, adding, "You could've dropped this thing in there and really tried to camouflage it. I kind of like the idea of a larger site and being able to do more with it."

Masterson and Murray voted in the minority to recommend approval of the Mesquite Avenue site.

"The dump is not going to be there forever," Opatik said. "I think this is too heavily traveled right now for a detention center. You need to take this facility outside the general area."

Finally, Beeman said a location at 6871 N. Blagg Road was unacceptable.

"The alluvial fan, being as prominent as it is in the community, that any development up there should be master planned to advance the community," she said.