Nye County commissioners last week overruled the objections of the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission and approved a tentative map for the Sierra Sky Ranch subdivision for 242 townhouses on 17 acres just north of Rosemary Clarke Middle School on Blagg Road.

But developer Bradford Freeman, who planned to build 360 condominiums on Blagg Road and Basin Avenue, faced more delays after his request to amend the master plan was tossed back to the RPC, which needed a super-majority vote.

The RPC voted 4-2 Jan. 17 not to approve the Sierra Sky Ranch subdivision tentative map, after concerns about the lack of open space -- 7.9 acres will be set aside, which includes a clubhouse, landscaping and a swimming pool.

There were also concerns about having children's playground space.

At the time, former consultant Alex Mendez of Civilwise Services, suggested the concerns could be addressed through the development agreement.

Nye County development attorney Mark White advised commissioners the Sierra Sky Ranch development agreement didn't provide any off-site mitigation other than paying impact fees. But Nye County Manager Ron Williams persuaded commissioners a development agreement shouldn't be required at all for the project.

"When you adopt a development agreement, the first thing you do is put a burden on many staffers to follow the agreement to make sure things take place that are supposed to take place," Williams said. "You're generating a lot of work for us to do."

The commissioners last fall spent days hammering out development agreements for larger projects, like the Focus Property Group and the Mountain Falls North developments. A development agreement locks the developer into today's standards, if a project weren't built for 10 years, the county couldn't require the developer to abide by more rigid standards later on, Williams said.

"The only benefit I can see in this development agreement is the fact that for open space, police services and fire protection, you're going to realize about $1,100 more than through the collection of straight-up impact fees," Williams said. But he said it may cost that much for the planning staff to monitor the agreement.

"I've been warning this board that approving this many development agreements is going to cause us problems down the road," Williams told commissioners. Nye County Public Works Director Samson Yao echoed Williams' sentiments.

Dave Richards, vice-president of Civilwise Engineering, said the project appeared to be dense because the housing units are single story, not stacked, multi-level condominiums. The developer has exceeded the parking requirements, Richards said.

"It's a very pleasant, very well-kept, quality atmosphere there, mostly meant for families without children and elderly," he said.

Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley said she wasn't concerned about a children's playground, as the development is supposed to be an adult living community. She made the motion to reverse the RPC denial of the tentative map.

Former Nye County Commissioner Jeff Taguchi was sitting at the table on behalf of the developers.

Charlene Pasqualetto, co-owner of C&R Homes, urged commissioners to be consistent so developers know the requirements, such as whether they would need development agreements.

Commissioner Roberta "Midge" Carver's motion not to adopt the development agreement passed 4-0. Commissioner Eastley left before the second vote, which came after a lengthy recess in the meeting.

Things were less cordial after developer Bradford Freeman was told to go back to the RPC for approval on his condominium project on Basin Avenue. Residents of 2T Ranch Lane, a block north of Basin Avenue, previously protested the project.