Carson City Open Space Committee members heard a detailed presentation and public comment about a developer-proposed flood storage and riparian restoration project at Moffett Open Space, but took no formal action.

Ken Crater of Crater Consulting Group, representing Guardian Capital, described the proposal as both a mitigation and community-benefit project for Guardian’s planned Wampano Ranch development. Crater said Guardian would build on-site amenities such as a three-acre dog park and a half-mile public trail loop adjacent to new multifamily housing; he told the committee that Guardian is seeking flood-volume mitigation for its project and identified Moffett Open Space as a candidate site.

“…we are going to build a half mile trail loop around the entire boundary of the property and put a public use easement on it,” Crater said.

TerraPhase engineers presented hydrology, habitat and access concepts. Amy Mysnakowski, a TerraPhase engineer, said the primary purpose of the proposed work at Moffett Open Space is to support the Wampano Ranch development by providing flood-volume mitigation but that the team designed the proposal to provide multiple public benefits: expanded wetland and riparian habitat, reduced base flood elevations for adjacent facilities and improved neighborhood recreation value.

“[W]e really wanted the project to be more than just a volume flood volume mitigation project,” Mysnakowski told the committee. She described design features that would allow moderate flows to overtop into restored floodplain areas, sustain year‑round vegetation and reduce flow velocities; the team also proposed construction access routes and a northern route that could become a future trail after construction.

Mark Gookin of TerraPhase described how the plan interacts with FEMA flood maps and noted that because the project would lower base flood elevations it would not necessarily require a formal FEMA map revision, though the team could pursue one if the city wanted a permanent federal change to the regulatory map.

Committee members focused on maintenance, noxious-weed control and drought resilience during the planned lifespan of the restoration. Mysnakowski said the project team would produce a life‑cycle cost analysis and a maintenance plan; she said Guardian Capital would fund the construction and that the maintenance arrangements would be negotiated with the city. “We’re going to work with the city to put together a plan to make sure that the that ability to do that maintenance is there, which would be obviously a financial contribution from Guardian Capital,” she said.

A neighboring landowner, Michael Bell, spoke in public comment and urged caution. Bell, whose property borders Eagle Valley Creek, said stream conditions have changed over decades and questioned downstream impacts. “When my folks bought the place in 1962, Eagle Valley Creek was about 3 to 4 feet wide. It’s now 20 feet wide,” Bell said, adding he was skeptical that the proposed mitigation would fully address downstream concerns.

Lindsey Boyer, open space manager, told the committee the proposed work would be on open space property and that staff wanted committee feedback before the project moves into formal permitting. The project team said they will coordinate permitting, design refinements, a maintenance endowment and construction access with city departments. The item was informational; the committee did not vote.

Notes: The presentation outlined design objectives, construction access options, habitat planting plans, and suggested the developer would pay construction costs. Committee members requested further detail on maintenance funding, weed control and long-term stewardship before formal actions would be considered.