Carson City may seek help to buy Buzzy's Ranch

Though it was only a progress report meant for members of the Carson City Planning Commission, many residents were interested in how negotiations are faring between city officials and the owners of Buzzy's Ranch.

The Robert Lorin Andersen and the Jimmie Pete Jarrard children's trusts agreed in January to halt any action that would result in the land being developed - at least until the city had a chance to make an offer for the land.

"Hopefully we can be hiking out there in a year or two," said Joe Childs, a member of the group Save Buzzy's Ranch. "I'm still encouraged."

An appraiser was chosen last month to determine the worth of the approximately 480 acres near the Carson River. This price should be determined by the end of the year. The city can't offer any more than the current market value price for the land, Guzman said.

The total might exceed $2.4 million - the appraised value of the site in mid-2004. While area land prices have been on the rise during the past couple of years, "we'll need to figure out what the cost will be," Guzman said.

This is why the city may pursue grants to offset the cost and may seek to form a partnership to buy the site, depending on the outcome of this latest appraisal, he said.

While the property owners have received offers for the land during the years, they have resisted and instead have tried to work with the city. Developing it won't come cheap because of infrastructure needs.

The location's ecological benefits are numerous too, according to experts.

In January, the owners were seeking to increase the density for possible residential development before undergoing a change of heart and decided to give the city first choice of purchase.

Silver Saddle Ranch, south of Buzzy's, is owned by the federal Bureau of Land Management and serves as open space, allowing access to the river and Prison Hill area. The BLM considered acquiring Buzzy's several years ago. Riverview Park sits to the north. Buzzy's is bordered by the river on the east and Mexican Ditch to the west.

Guzman said he believes the issue will be resolved early next year.

In other Planning Commission business:

• The special-use permit issued more than a year ago for a billboard on Highway 50 was granted a year-long extension for the sign to be put up. Commissioners did so with trepidation, however, citing traffic safety concerns. The location, D&D Autos, 2794 Highway 50 East, wasn't recommended by this panel during its initial approval process. The supervisors narrowly approved it at that time.

• The tentative plan for Newport Village - 43 homes on a 5.4-acre site in the 3800 block of East Nye Lane was recommended. Though the location at East Nye and College Parkway near the Carson City Airport is designated as a mobile home site, this proposal calls for typical home construction and is appropriate in that type of area, according to the city planning division.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.