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Board approves master-plan amendment to allow residential parcels at gravel operation site with condition for development agreement
Summary
The board approved a master-plan amendment and accompanying zoning changes that will convert four parcels fronting Chimney Creek Road from industrial/extractive to 40‑acre residential, contingent on a development agreement to address dust, hours, road maintenance and backfilling of abandoned pits.
The Elko County Board of Commissioners approved a master-plan amendment Wednesday that will permit residential use on four parcels fronting Chimney Creek Road, while retaining extractive/industrial zoning for adjacent gravel-mining areas. Commissioners required the gravel operator and property owner to enter a development agreement covering dust abatement, hours of operation, road maintenance on Chimney Creek Road and the remediation or backfilling of pits that have accumulated surface water.
Planning staff summary: Corey Rice, Elko County surveyor and senior planner, told the board the applicant sought to convert four parcels from M-1 (general industrial/extractive) to open-space/40-acre residential in order to accommodate future residential use; the remainder parcel would remain under extractive zoning. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change contingent on the master-plan amendment.
Public comment and conditions: Developer representatives and local property owners attended and discussed specific reclamation and safety measures. Real-estate representative Paul Buterri told the board a fence will be installed between the pits and the future residential parcels as part of an agreement with the gravel operator. County staff recommended — and the board adopted — an added condition requiring a development agreement to address dust, hours and remediation of open pits. The agreement must be approved by the Planning Commission and the Board before lots may be sold or permitted.
Why it matters: The change allows limited residential development next to long-term gravel operations but binds the operator to mitigation measures the board said were necessary to protect future residents and neighboring property owners. The motion to approve the master-plan amendment carried without opposition.
Ending: Staff will draft the development agreement and return to the Planning Commission and Board for review; the operator and owners must satisfy the agreement’s mitigation and fencing requirements prior to subdivision or building approvals on the amended parcels.
