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Apr. 11, 2008
RPC deadlocks on rezoning
By MARK WAITE
About a dozen residents around East Mesquite Avenue cheered Wednesday as Pahrump Regional Planning Commissioners failed to pass a rezoning proposal to create more industrial land in the valley. The RPC held a workshop last month to address a shortage of industrial zoning. They eyed up Mesquite Avenue, citing the existing pattern of development, with the county landfill, a new recycling center approved across the street, possibly a federal detention center, gravel pits and other industrial uses. The rezoning proposal encompassed 520 acres that was formerly a mix of general commercial, mixed use, light-industrial, medium-density residential and a municipal district. But residents replied: not in my backyard. Commissioners deadlocked 3-3 on a motion by commissioner Dan Schinhofen to approve the rezoning. Commissioners Norma Jean Opatik, Nevada Tolladay and Laurayne Murray voted against it. Planner Steve Osborne said the plan was to diversify the economy by attracting sustainable industry. The planning department staff recommended approval. Ted Farson, a property owner on Kitty Hawk Street, said he was concerned about building industry on the alluvial fan where water goes into the basin. Rolf Koss, a resident living next to the landfill, said not enough affected residents were notified, Nye County Planning Director Jack Lohman said they notified 83 property owners, surpassing the required number. "How can somebody request a dramatic zone change from residential on one side of the road to heavy industrial on the other side of the road?" Koss asked. "Pahrump is a rural community and the majority of residents came here because of that lifestyle." Instead Koss suggested planners look to the south side of Pahrump Valley. He urged commissioners not to make another mistake, as when they initially placed the landfill right in town. "Coming from back east, the word 'heavy industrial' conjures up in my mind smokestacks belching out carbon dioxide, whatever else, within proximity to homes," said Tom Holman, who lives with his family on DuPont Drive. RPC member Carrick "Bat" Masterson said the county zoning ordinance prohibits heavy industries that will emit smoke. "No matter where you put heavy industrial, people aren't going to be happy. Probably this is an area where we're going to find less problems than any place we put it," Masterson said. He cited the large 40-acre parcels available for development. RPC member Jacob Skinner had concerns over pollution of well water. Nye County Commission representative Butch Borasky said commercial developments would have to hook up to public water and sewer lines, not wells. Osborne told a representative of Pahrump Valley Disposal the landfill would have to be grandfathered as a non-conforming use if it were passed. Chris Holman said she bought a $300,000 home and was told the landfill would be closed soon. But Masterson said that may not happen for some time. "We were told the dump would be moving within a few years. Now I understand it could be past my lifetime," Sherry Cole, a resident at 1750 N. Kitty Hawk St., said. Terry Brown, who said he had signatures of 28 property owners opposing the plan, said his property would abut the heavy industrial zone. Opatik preferred locating industrial zones near the proposed site of the Pahrump Airport, on the southwest corner of the valley. Masterson said that property has yet to be acquired from the federal government. People who were misinformed about the dump when they bought homes should blame the person who sold them the property, Masterson said. Schinhofen said he was almost sold a home near the landfill, until he changed his mind and moved to the south end of Pahrump. "There have been heavy industrial uses up there and there are going to be more heavy industrial uses," Schinhofen said, before making the motion to approve the rezoning. |
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