Foremost in many residents’ minds right are the “adjustments” to the city master plan. A radical philosophical divide is apparent; one side wants the capital city to be welcoming, of moderate size and user-friendly.
The other side wants it to be more commercial, more modern and more of a business-oriented and shiny show case with a “brand.” This last position emphasizes the maximization of profit from property and business taxes from each parcel owned by a private entity, and the former emphasizes the city as a breathing, friendly entity which is welcoming to families, professionals, retirees, and others who value beauty, variety and harmony.
We know Carson City lacks some funds important to running a city, such as transportation maintenance, policing, water, etc., but these can be addressed by good long term planning and, sometimes, from rare special assessments.
At this point, Carson City appears to want to throw the grace of this city out to meet a developer’s advantage. When a development proposal is submitted and considered by the planning commission and then by the supervisors, the master plan and city ordinances are set aside and the proposal is approved through a “special use permit.” That is no way to run a city! Especially one that has status, profile and historical richness.
We do not want the ugly and soulless convenience of Ventura, Los Angeles, Walnut Creek, or even Reno. To the residents of Carson City, these cities are not “home.”
Merlyn Paine
Carson City