Casino developer seeks time

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002 | 11:30 a.m.

GARDNERVILLE -- A month after asking for more time to redo a plan for a south Gardnerville hotel-casino, developers Butch and David Peri have proposed a solution to concerns about affordable housing, officials said Tuesday.

Douglas County recently approved gaming overlay district rules that require resort hotel operators to ensure adequate and affordable housing is available for employees. The Villa Resort in the Northern Nevada community is the first project subject to the requirement.

In modified plans for the project filed last week, Peri & Sons Enterprises of Yerington proposed to build 335 housing units on Washoe tribal land next to the proposed development at U.S. 395 and Pinenut Road. The housing would include 260 attached rental dwelling units and 75 senior housing units.

A special events venue is also proposed for the 62 acres that is the private open space along the eastern side of the 187-acre project. It would be called a "Special Events Pasture" and would be subject to county conditions regarding such activities.

County officials have expressed concern about potential future development of this open space because the developer declined to place a deed restriction on this part of the project. As part of the revised plans that include a special events site, the applicant has dropped the idea of an equestrian center and bridle trails.

County Planning Manager Mimi Moss said developers have asked county commissioners to continue the application for another month because of the major changes to the plan.