Cordevista developer plans to appeal decision

The developer of the proposed Cordevista planned-unit development said he will appeal a decision that upheld the Storey County Commission's rejection of the project.

Rob Winkle, consultant to the Cordevista project by development company Virginia Highlands LLC, said the company was surprised by the decision by Judge Miriam Shearing in the First District Court that Storey County commissioners were within their rights to reject a master-plan amendment request to put 11,000 homes on 8,600 acres the company owns in the center of the county.

"It was very disappointing," he said. "We believe the decision was in error."

He said his firm did plan to appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court "within the time allowed by law."

Shearing rejected Virginia Highlands LLC attorney Stephen Mollath's contention that the development was already consistent with the county's master plan, thereby making an amendment unnecessary.

She also rejected the company's demand for a zoning hearing the commissioner's did not hold and $10,000 in damages.

Storey County Manager Pat Whitten said he wouldn't be surprised to see an appeal by the developer.

"I think anytime you have two sides as focused on their own interests, you might expect an appeal," he said. "I think with the soundness of the decision and the specific wording, the interests of the people will continue to prevail."

Whitten said he was still open to working with the developer to find suitable uses for the property, within current master-plan and zoning ordinances.

He said the decision was what he expected.

"It is certainly what we hoped for, and definitely what we worked hard for," he said.

County attorney Mark Gunderson said he was not surprised by the decision.

"I think it was consistent with the facts and the law," he said.

- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.