Protect Our Washoe
2002 Summary of Action

Redfield/ArrowCreek expansion defeated

UPDATE (Oct. 17, 2002) — Before a full house, the advisory board unanimously voted (7-0) against the developer's proposal. Thanks to all those who attended.

Southwest Truckee Meadows
Citizens Advisory Board
Thursday, October 17, 2002, 7:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Lenz Elementary School
2500 Homeland (off Foothill Road)
Reno, Nevada

Protect the open space area designated as such by Redfield/ArrowCreek in 1996

The Redfield/ArrowCreek developers want to construct approximately 42 homes on small lots into an area previously designated as proposed open space for dedication to the public.

This intrusion of high density development will scar the view of the foothills from the valley, will dramatically intrude the heart of the deer and other wildlife habitat and their established migratory patterns, will violate an agreement regarding density which the Redfield/ArrowCreek developers made with the County and the public in 1996, will increase values of land (including the Ballardini Ranch) sought to be acquired for public space open use along the foothills and will represent one more time in this valley when a developer has failed to live up to its word.

The 1996 Development Agreement that the Redfield developers seek to modify was an agreement regarding home density and open space that was to last the test of time. While the Redfield/ArrowCreek developers have had the benefit of that agreement they now seek to increase density in the development area for higher profits notwithstanding the adverse effects mentioned above.

Stand up for the rights of the citizens to have an agreement which effects all of us adhered to for the benefit of all inhabitants of Truckee Meadows.

o Protect the Southwest Area Plan
o Protect the open space area designated as such by Redfield/ArrowCreek in 1996
o Protect against development impacting important wildlife habitat
o Protect the view of the foothills from the valley
o A deal is a deal - let's make sure Redfield/ArrowCreek developers keep it!
o Help prevent the degradation of the rural transportation system

STOP BALLARDINI RANCH FROM BECOMING BALLARDINI CITY

The out-of-state developer/owner of the ranch applied for annexation to the City of Reno. The Reno City Council was scheduled to hear the application on June 25, but the proceeding was postponed with the owner-developer's announcement of a more adversary stance against those trying to preserve the ranch for public use. On June 11, the Washoe County Commission discussed and postponed a proposal to condemn part of the ranch. (Monitor  In the News on the home page for continuing status reports.)

The annexation request was filed shortly before the May 9 Regional Planning Governing Board (RPGB) hearing on a new master plan. A standing-room-only crowd of about 400 and perhaps more attended. As the first order of business, the board voted 10-0 to accept the recommendation of the Regional Planning Commission and maintain the current status of the Ballardini Ranch.

Protect Our Washoe asked that the RPBG uphold the April 24 vote of the Regional Planning Commission to exclude the sphere of influence of the City of Reno and the Truckee Meadows Services Area from the southern half of the Ballardini Ranch. Maintaining that status keeps the door open for public acquisition.

At the May 9 RPGB hearing, Reno City Councilmember Sherrie Doyle stated that she received more contact about this issue than she has regarding the controversial Project ReTRAC (construction of a downtown Reno railway trench). She noted receipt of 361 e-mails alone. Another board member echoed her comments. Given the longtime high profile of the railroad project, the impact of Ballardini Ranch supporters may be viewed as both remarkable and outstanding.

These impressive public expressions of support were the result of a lot of hard work by Protect Our Washoe volunteers. Over 200 citizens attended the Protect Our Washoe town hall meeting on May 1. They listened to speakers who brought them up to date on the issues. Attendees volunteered to contact their neighbors and public officials. At that event, citizens were first informed of the out-of-state owner/developer's April 29 filing for annexation into the City of Reno, an effort to thwart the planning process.

The Ballardini Ranch is a 1,019-acre parcel nestled in the foothills between southwest McCarran Blvd. and the Mount Rose Highway. If acquired, it can be used permanently as open space by the people of the Truckee Meadows. Without taking it into the public domain, the property will likely be developed into 2,200 homes and perhaps many more. A professional study (links, below), concluded that a full build-out will result in a new road through the Arrowcreek development. This would produce traffic volumes requiring expansion to four lanes for Skyline Blvd., Ridgeview Drive, Lakeside Drive, Huffaker Lane and Holcomb Lane. The McCarran Blvd. loop will require at least six and possibly eight lanes in the vicinity. Extraordinary pressure would also be placed on Manzanita, Lone Tree Lane and other collectors into the main traffic network.

We'll keep you posted. If you are not already on our mailing list, please request inclusion and please consider supporting the effort by sending a contribution to the address, below.

Thank you.

Protect Our Washoe
P. O. Box 20397
Reno, NV 89515

You may send your contribution to help fund the fight to the above address. Thank you.
E-mail: info@protectourwashoe.org

2002 News Archive

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