MARK WAITE / PVT The former Donut Shop, which has been vacant for the past few years, has been described as an eyesore on Wilson Road. Plans call for renovating it into a sports bar and restaurant. Advertisement

The former Donut Shop at 440 E. Wilson Road took a step forward toward being transformed into a sports bar and restaurant after Pahrump Regional Planning Commission members voted 6-1 Wednesday, to approve a zone change and conditional use permit.

Member Jacob Skinner cast the sole vote against it.

During a previous RPC meeting March 12 a neighbor on Slater Circle voiced opposition to the proposal, while the applicant, Fely Quitevis, owner of Precious Properties, was absent. This time, no residents showed up to voice their concerns.

The property would be rezoned from neighborhood commercial to mixed use, if county commissioners adopt the RPC recommendation June 17.

The Donut Shop was built in 2002, but went out of business not long after. It's been sitting vacant ever since.

Planner Beth Lee said a number of businesses are located down Buol Lane, which is almost kitty corner from the property.

A comprehensive rezoning task force recommended two lots left out of the zoning map on the corner of Buol and Wilson be zoned neighborhood commercial, she said.

Lee assured Skinner the restaurant and bar would be located more than 1,500 feet from Manse Elementary School and the Pahrump Community Church on Wilson Road and West Street.

"It's going to be an upscale sports bar where everyone could go after office hours. It's not like an ordinary bar," Quitevis said.

She compared it to Wulfy's Restaurant or the Mountain Falls Clubhouse.

Harry Montague said the building has been an eyesore since the Donut Shop closed. He added it would be a welcome project with the slow economy.

"My biggest misgiving about this particular project is it's so close to Ishani Ridge across the street," Skinner said, pointing to a new subdivision farther east on Wilson. "In a residential area, I just don't feel a bar is very compatible."

Quitevis said she will fix up the inside of the building, put in landscaping, lights and a parking lot. RPC member Norma Jean Opatik urged a wall be built around the property, but fellow commissioner Carrick "Bat" Masterson said the property is too large for that.

RPC Chairman Mark Kimball said builders would have enough room to put in landscaping as a buffer.