Pahrump Regional Planning Commission Chairman Mark Kimball said comments by Nye County Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos last week, that the RPC and the county planning department were blocking economic development, caused strong reactions.

Kimball cautioned against the impulse to approve developments without proper planning amid the current economic downturn.

Liakopoulos, in remarks about his motion to reject a division of land ordinance for areas outside the Pahrump regional planning district in the May 9 Pahrump Valley Times, said the RPC and planning department have totally killed entrepreneurialism in Pahrump.

In a letter to the editor addressed to Pahrump newspapers, Liakopoulos wrote, "Each month the Nye County Planning Department and the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission drive many businesses out of our town. It would appear that these folks for the first time in their lives have some power; power that they are using to destroy the economy of Pahrump."

In a letter to Nye County Commission Chairwoman Joni Eastley he read at the Wednesday RPC meeting, Kimball said members of the planning commission regard their appointment as an honor and a duty, for compensation that amounts to less than a tank of gas per month.

"The RPC represents a broad cross-section of the community in age, gender and professional experience. We reflect the values and opinions of the town as a whole. Nevertheless, we share a common goal of making Pahrump a better and stronger community as it continues to grow," Kimball said.

Most of the RPC votes are either unanimous or with only one dissenting vote, indicating a clear consensus based on ordinances and codes they are sworn to uphold, Kimball said.

Split votes usually reflect a lack of clarity in the master plan or zoning codes, he said.

"When a county commissioner is concerned by our enforcement of a code, the most appropriate response would be to study the code, understand its purpose and then support it or use due process to amend or repeal it. Nothing is gained by blaming the messenger," Kimball said. "I have offered to talk with any county commissioner at any time to help clarify the reason why the RPC voted the way it did on a specific issue."

Kimball added, "We also understand the frustrations of some local business people who are concerned by the downturn in the economy and by the changing demographics of our town. The truth is, that as Pahrump gets larger and the demands for infrastructure and services become more intense, there will be a greater need for planning guidelines, public hearings and governmental oversight.

"If we give in to the short-term impulse to develop without proper planning, we will suffer the long-term effects of an unattractive community with too much traffic, an increase in crime and a woeful lack of amenities and emergency services."

Kimball said he never heard an RPC member express a bias against economic development and said some members work tirelessly to assist in bringing business projects to town. While many applicants complain the RPC can't tell them what to do with their property, Kimball said the RPC has an obligation to make sure land uses are compatible with other uses in the area and the rights of neighbors are respected.