Vicee Canyon development plan goes to parks commission

Future recreational uses for Vicee Canyon will be considered tonight by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Vicee Canyon plan deals mostly with how to control potential development of the land, 267 acres in west Carson City next to Western Nevada Community College and accessible from Timberline Drive.

Up to 160 acres would be suitable for low-density residential development - no more than three units for each acre - according to a master plan being developed concurrently.

The plan for Vicee Canyon, however, seeks a lower density of 1.4 homes per acre.

The section of the plan that addresses parks, trails and open space assumes that recreational sites and uses will remain close to the way they are now - even if the land is auctioned by the state to the highest bidder and developed.

Vicee is part of a school trust fund and managed by the Nevada Division of State Lands. Land owned by the trust fund can't be sold directly to another government agency; it has to be put up for auction, according to the city.

Last week, members of the city's Open Space Advisory Committee recommended the proposal to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

"For open space, the plan offers protection for the resources and provides for where development makes sense," said Juan Guzman, the city's open- space manager.

Because trying to obtain the land at auction would prove difficult, "the best option was to endorse the plan," Guzman said.

Pedestrians, hikers and bicyclists have used the array of informal trails now in the area, which the city would like to preserve and, where viable, create new trails. Plans to combine recreational uses with storm-detention drains and open space also are highlighted in the document.

Vicee Canyon isn't just environmentally sensitive; it sustained a great deal of harm during the Waterfall fire.

And Timberline Drive, damaged by flooding during New Year's weekend, has received temporary repairs and again provides access to the area. Permanent work on the road still has to be done, however, according to the Public Works Department.

The overall goal is to ensure that all interests, including those of recreational users, are balanced, according to the city and state, which worked together to create the document.

This is why clustered development is highly emphasized, as is the provision that more access to the area be provided. It also provides for four neighborhood parks within the development area.

"We want to make sure there are some developed park facilities, too," said Pam Wilcox, a Nevada Division of Wildlife administrator.

The plan "gives security as to what is likely to happen," Guzman said. "Hopefully, we can incorporate developers to coordinate (with us) in areas of most concern."

The plan also focuses on the Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada Community College. WNCC officials have highly emphasized the need to preserve the area's darkness and minimize activities that would kick up dust, which hinders the view of the night sky.

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

If you go

What: Parks and Recreation Commission meeting

When: 5:30 p.m. today

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

Information: To see the full Vicee Canyon Specific Plan Area report, go to carsoncitymasterplan.com and click on the box that says "What's New." Otherwise, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 887-2363 or the Planning Division at 887-2188.