I received a call today from a resident at the base of Petersen Mountain alerting me to some proposed residential zoning changes that will be put before the City of Reno Planning Commission on Thursday evening, 3/6. Here is a description of the situation that I received…
“THE PROBLEM: The density of homes proposed at “Evans Ranch” far exceeds anything we’ve ever seen out here, and if it is approved it will change our quality of life forever. The development will have a major impact not only on traffic, but will produce 1.6 million gallons of sewage per day, will use more than 625 acre feet of water per year, will light up the night sky, and will be built on land regularly used as winter range by mule deer and pronghorn. It will pose a threat to the health of the public lands that border it on the west, where many folks from Silver Knolls and Red Rocks go to ride, and it will risk increased damage to local springs and to the beautiful Petersen Mountain Natural Area.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: The Reno City Planning Commission will hold a hearing on this project THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 6, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, RENO CITY HALL, 1 EAST FIRST STREET. If you can, please attend the meeting to ask questions and express concerns about the “Evans Ranch” development. If you aren’t able to attend the meeting, PLEASE take a moment to send an email or make a call to express your concerns. You can call Vern Kloos of the Community Development Department at 334-2272, or email him at Kloos@ci.reno.nv.us. If you get your call or email in to Mr. Kloos by early afternoon this Thursday, your concerns can be heard as part of the hearing on Thursday evening. You may also want to contact the representatives of your neighborhood association to express your concerns.”
This is an area that NWP has been leading Values Trips to for several years now and it is crictical winter Mule Deer habitat and spring Antelope calfing grounds. Our friend raises excellent points about the impact that such a large development would have on the adjoining public lands. Petersen Mountain is managed as a Natural Area by the BLM which means that it is recognized as having some wilderness characteristics. Please send a letter in letting our officials in Washoe County know that it is important to keep prime wildlife habitat open and away from such large scale development.
Thanks for the Petersen Mtn. alert - letter and protest duly filed.
Sounds like some wild times in Mineral Co., Red.
Thanks “aka Lloyd!” This one snuck up on our folks on the ground there and we need some help to get things going. Petersen is a special place for sure.
Follow up: The Planning Commission voted to uphold the developer’s ability to continue with this project. We will continue to monitor the process and keep you informed about this development and other proposals near the Petersen Mountain Natural Area.
ADVISE: Keep yer eyes on this one!
The proposal to develope at the base of Petersen mountain will cedrtainly have a very negative effect. If you look at the BLM maps, you will see that much of Petersen mountain is a protected area. This was done in an effort to preserve wildlife habitat.
With residential developement, that habitat will become almost useless! I am hiking to the top today to take some photos. This may just be my last best chance to do so.