Carson and Douglas officials to air differences

Douglas County commissioners and Carson City supervisors have set an agenda for Thursday's special meeting they hope will lead to agreement between the two boards about a public land sale in northern Douglas County.

Elected officials from the counties plan to discuss local and regional issues at the meeting, including resolution of Carson's protest of the proposed sale of a 146-acre piece of federal property near the Carson-Douglas county line.

The land was scheduled for to be auctioned by the Bureau of Land Management for commercial development. Carson protested the land sale in November, citing a lack of sufficient economic impact studies.

Douglas County officials are hoping Carson drops its protest as a result of the meeting, even though some Carson officials are not committed to the notion. On the agenda are two key discussions about issues about the site.

Commissioners and supervisors are planning to discuss "adoption of strategies to eliminate the siting of an auto mall on the Bureau of Land Management property" and "Discussion and possible action by Carson City regarding the protest."

Carson Supervisors Robin Williamson and Pete Livermore have said recently they are worried the land would attract development of an auto mall, a use that is allowed under Douglas County zoning codes. If allowed, the development might send much-needed automotive tax dealers away from Carson.

Also slated for discussion are several issues that would require cooperation between the two governments.

The meeting agenda lists reports about economic development by the Carson City and Douglas County chambers of commerce; a report on federal lands issues, including the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act; the Pine Nut Mountains plan and proposed legislation on certain U.S. Forest Service lands.

Officials will discuss a proposed forest products demonstration project in Carson City and an update on planning efforts since the approval of a memorandum of understanding between the counties in 2001.

Other items listed for discussion and possible action Thursday include regional sales tax revenue loss, retail sales leakage from the region, housing issues and joint support for the completion of the planned Carson City freeway.

IF YOU GO

What: Joint meeting between Carson City Supervisors and Douglas County Board of Commissioners

When: 1 p.m. Thursday

Where: Sierra Room, Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.