Two locations will be considered for a federal detention center in Pahrump after Nye County commissioners approved the zoning changes Wednesday.

The locations include a town-owned, 40-acre parcel on Parque Avenue, a half mile east of Blagg Road, that was recommended by the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission, and a 160-acre site on the northwest corner of East Mesquite Avenue and Power Line Road, which the RPC had opposed.

They were rezoned as community facilities districts, but if the sites aren't chosen for the detention centers, the zoning will revert back to its original use.

Pahrump Town Board Chairman Laurayne Murray, a member of a committee that researched the sites, said four different companies -- Corrections Corporation of America, Geo Group, Emerald and Cornell -- are interested in the Parque Avenue site. CCA is looking over the Mesquite Avenue site.

The Nye County planning staff had originally recommended that the Parque Avenue site be denied due to lack of infrastructure. But town board member Dan Sprouse convinced the RPC that the project would in and of itself bring needed infrastructure to that area.

The commissioners, however, barely voted to approve the site, 3-2, with Joni Eastley and Roberta "Midge" Carver opposed.

Butch Borasky said the county could impose various restrictions with a development agreement if that site is selected by the federal detention trustee. Companies are required to submit their proposals by Aug. 1.

The Parque Avenue site is located a mile from the nearest residences, Borasky said.

But Eastley said the county should only allow development on the alluvial fan that enhances the aesthetics of the community. She said the federal detention center, to house up to 1,500 prisoners, will bring traffic, bright lights and other intrusions.

"Additionally, there are residences within one mile. There are other people who purchased property in the area who expect to have homes some day," Eastley said.

Eastley also cast the sole vote against rezoning the Mesquite Avenue site. Again she cited the proximity to nearby homes, Planner Steve Osborne said the closest residence is 1,500 feet away. Eastley said it was a mistake to repeal an ordinance requiring correctional facilities to be at least 50,000 feet -- or about nine and a half miles -- from the nearest residence.

"I was told if we simply removed that section of the ordinance and let the conditional permit process control the approval of the development that it would be just as good, and I'm finding out it's not just as good," Eastley said. "I don't care how you buffer it, I continue to be concerned about the locations selected and their proximity to residential areas."

The RPC had recommended against approving the East Mesquite Avenue location despite a thumbs-up from planning department staff after objections from neighbors on Avenue of the Stars. Borasky felt satisfied those neighbors were far enough away and the large site would enable the detention center to be better camouflaged.

Two other sites were denied for rezoning. Commissioners rejected one at 1690 E. Mike Road, just east of the Calvada Aeropark, and another site pushed by Emerald Corp. at the northeast corner of Blagg Road and Parque Avenue, farther west of an approved site but closer to an existing residential subdivision.

Town Manager Dave Richards made an unsuccessful appeal for rezoning of the Mike Road site, another town-owned property. He said the town board approved the Mike Road location and noted there were no objections raised during the public hearing.

"There was an oversight to leave this use out of the master plan. I don't believe there's enough property designated in the valley for commercial uses," Richards said. "Designating such an extreme amount of the valley for residential uses doesn't allow us the opportunity to grow economically; we're not able to create enough jobs."

The RPC recommended disapproval since access to the facility would be through residential neighborhoods. Borasky said it would actually touch a residential subdivision on two sides.

Bruce Vinci, representing Emerald Corp., said his company tried to find other sites but settled on the other location that was rejected, at Blagg Road and Parque Avenue.

He said Utilities Inc. had agreed to provide water and sewer services, the location was flat with no flood washes, has two access points, and there's property zoned industrial right across the street.

"It is approximately three-quarters of a mile from the nearest home. On the map there may be some properties near the site that show old, proposed, platted subdivisions. They are 20 years old in their design and there is nothing there at this time," Vinci said.

Town Economic Development Director Al Balloqui tried to persuade commissioners to rezone that site, noting the advantages of having a variety of sites for the federal government to consider.

But Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos made the motion to deny that rezoning, based on the findings of the RPC, without making any comment.