Andersen property to be purchased by city

The OK was given Thursday for the $3.5 million purchase of the 86-acre Andersen property, by the Carson City Board of Supervisors. The area purchased as open space is known as Buzzy's Ranch and is near the Carson River.

The east side location "is about as good as it gets," said Juan Guzman, the city's open space manager. "It's a beautiful location."

"The cows, the birds. We walk down to the river," said resident Jean Hill, whose home overlooks the pasture. "It's our recreation."

Buzzy's is north of Silver Saddle Ranch and south of Riverview Park off of Carson River Road. It provides wetland, wet meadow and riparian habitat. It supports a variety of creatures and plant life.

A state grant program, Q-1, will offset half of the cost for the land and requires the city to pay the other half.

The deal doesn't include water rights, which will be retained by the Andersens.

The neighboring 397-acre Jarrard property is worth $4 million and comprises the other half of Buzzy's. Discussions about the city also purchasing the Jarrard site continue, Guzman said.

The two pieces together were being eyed for development until last year, when the owners decided to begin negotiating with the city.

"I see it as a long-term legacy," said Bruce Scott, a member of the city's Open Space Advisory Committee. There's potential uses for "recreation, open space and utilities."

In other business, the supervisors

• Allowed recruitment for hiring a full-time internal auditor. Mayor Marv Teixeira voted against the proposal, however, questioning necessity of increasing the hours, cost to advertise to attract job applicants, and other related issues.

• Approved more than $250,000 in grants for the Sheriff's Department.

• Adopted growth management standards for development that sets the number of building permits.

• Introduced a plan to add the Kmart building to the South Carson redevelopment area.

• Adopted 1 percent hikes in the utility franchise fees on local electric and natural gas bills.

• Allowed a budgeted cost of living pay increase for the justices of the peace.

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