Planning commission recommends approval of Martin Creek subdivision despite neighbor and school-access concerns

The Douglas County Planning Commission voted 6-1 on Feb. 11 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve a tentative subdivision map for the Martin Creek project, a proposed division of a 4.45-acre parcel off Giles Lane behind Gardnerville Elementary School into 29 individually owned multifamily units and one common open-space parcel. Commissioner Lori Dang cast the lone dissenting vote.

The vote follows a staff recommendation that the application meet the statutory findings required by the Douglas County Development Code and a unanimous endorsement Feb. 4 from the Town of Gardnerville board that included additional conditions of approval.

Kate Morales O'Neil, planning division, told the commission that "staff does believe the applicant has met the findings for this tentative subdivision map." She said utilities will be served by the Gardenerville Water Company and the Minden-Gardnerville Sewer District and that the project will establish a homeowners association to maintain common areas, parking and storm drainage.

Rob Anderson, representing owner Santa Ynez Valley Construction and Wilson Engineering, said the project has an approved design review and that the current request is a tentative subdivision map to allow individual ownership rather than single ownership and rental. Anderson said the development is "a market-rate project" with single-story townhome-style buildings, and that each unit will be fitted with fire sprinklers. He cited the International Fire Code provision that allows more than 20 units on a single drive aisle when units are sprinklered.

Why it matters: The site abuts Gardnerville Elementary School and the Martin Slough corridor and sits where residents and school traffic already converge. Neighbors and parents told the commission they fear increased congestion, pedestrian safety risks for children who currently walk across the parcel, and the potential for conflicts where school drop-off and the subdivision access meet. The commission added a request that the applicant ask the school district whether an emergency gate could be provided…