The potential sale of the 413-acre Lompa Ranch in the heart of Carson City ushers in a critical phase in determining the future of the city.
From the sale and development of the ranch will come important tax dollars and an opportunity to demonstrate this is a community that puts a priority on planning. It will be a chance for city leaders to show they are focused on what's best for the city, even if that's not always what's best for the developers.
In fact, the city is facing several opportunities to send that message.
On the city's southwest side, Carson Gaming plans to build 184 homes on 22 acres off South Curry Street. Planners are working with the developer and the public should get a look at the details before long. It will be important to ensure the development adheres to hillside building ordinances, and that it adds to rather than subtracts from the beauty of the city's hillsides.
The city's planning commission has shown it's not willing to give a blank check to developers if plans do not seem to be in the city's best interest. It decided not to recommend development of the Clearview Ridge housing project, for example, fearing the density of the 75 homes was too great.
And the supervisors have also demonstrated a desire to do what's right for the city as they work toward turning the 480-acre Buzzy Ranch into open space for use by residents, even though that property is sought by developers. Carson City is also preparing to purchase 111 acres near the end of Ash Canyon Road for open space preservation.
It will be sad to see the Lompa Ranch disappear, but the city needs new housing and the tax revenue it generates. The challenge now is for the city to make sure residents can be as proud of what is developed there as they have been of the sprawling ranch in their midst.