A drawing of a 72-acre, self-contained senior housing complex with 864 two-story condominiums on Barney Street and Basin Avenue was unveiled for Pahrump Regional Planning commissioners last Wednesday.

The RPC voted 5-1 to recommend approval of the Beverly Park project by Rockingham Capital Partners LLC,. Dan Schinhofen voted against the approval, saying he wanted more information on the project. Carrick "Bat" Masterson was absent.

The development would include a senior center, medical center, bank, pharmacy, gas station and putting greens connected by golf cart paths

The commission disregarded a recommendation by county planners.

"Staff's opinion is that this would be a significant alteration to the master plan map for this area, because we're taking approximately 60 acres out of low-density residential category, putting it into mixed use," planner Steve Osborne said. "It's also our opinion this is spot zoning."

Dave Richards, a consultant for CivilWise Services, said, however, the retirement community is something that's been needed in Pahrump for a long time.

"It's a livable community for elderly and retired folks that are less mobile, less active, that need support activities in their vicinity," Richards said. "We've designed this as a complete, self-contained community here not only for the residents but also for their every day needs, the stores, medical facilities, transportation."

The housing would feature eight condos per cluster, four on each floor. Richards said having a two-story building frees up more open space. Richards said there would be an average of 12 housing units per acre. He added that developers could put up to 1,000 housing units on a property that size.

"I don't think there's anybody around who's going to be opposed to a senior development. A couple of us up here, by the time you build it, we're going to need it. I'm looking forward to tooling around in a golf cart with a horn," RPC Chairman Mark Kimball said. But he added, "nine hundred (units) is a lot. I don't see normal, general recreation areas in here."

Lavonne Higgins, from CivilWise, said that's why there's a medical office building and an expandable 10,000-square-foot senior center. Richards said amenities like tennis courts, a swimming pool and shuffleboard could be added later.

He said it will be a gated community with a decorative block wall. Each housing unit will measure about 1,500 square feet. But Richards said it would involve extending infrastructure from Lola Lane and Wilson Road.

RPC member Norma Jean Opatik asked to specify the development would be restricted to those 55 years and older. Nye County Attorney Ron Kent said the county should get a written assurance about the developer's plans to transfer the senior center to the county.

The only neighbor to address the RPC, Don Dixon, endorsed the project. He said, "I think this is one of the more innovative, classy projects the valley could hope for."

Kimball said while Nye County Manager Ron Williams isn't in favor of development agreements, it may be a good idea for a project of this size. He also had concerns about the increased traffic on Wilson Avenue, though some senior citizens would use golf carts to acquire facilities in the subdivision.