Property owners, water district form committee to address "utility-challenged" 'lots; county urged to explore alternative utility solutions

Residents and advocates told the Nye County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 26 they have formed a committee with the water district to address decades-old problems with small BR-zoned parcels that are taxed but lack utilities or road access. Speakers urged the county to permit alternative off-grid utilities, allow community systems and stop selling such parcels at tax auctions when owners cannot reasonably develop them.Patricia Robb and Lorraine Gilbert, who testified remotely and in person, characterized the small parcels as "utility-challenged" land that owners pay taxes on but cannot build on because there is no water, sewer, electricity or road access. Robb said the water district voted unanimously to form a committee to address the problem and recommended a change in terminology from "zombie lots" to "utility-challenged lots". She urged county officials to explore funding and grant opportunities to permit community wells or septic systems and to allow alternative off-grid utilities where feasible. "A better approach would be for the treasurer to stop selling these unbuildable parcels at tax auctions and instead allow them to be used for a community well or septic system," Robb said.Resident Frank Carbone and others supported committee work and encouraged the county to revisit earlier ideas to resolve long-standing issues. Speakers noted that Great Basin Water Company tariff rules and NAC Section 9 may restrict some utility actions in tariff areas, and they asked the county to pursue grants and zoning overlays that could permit small-lot alternative-utility solutions. Commissioners acknowledged the complexity and said staff and relevant boards will need to evaluate legal, funding and administrative pathways.