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Commissioners approve rezoning of 5 acres north of US‑395 in Minden; 19 acres remain agricultural
Summary
The Douglas County Board approved a master‑plan amendment and map rezoning to convert a 5‑acre portion of a 24‑acre parcel near the U.S. 395/0 Lane intersection in Minden from A19 agricultural to general commercial, a 4–1 vote that follows Town of Minden and Planning Commission recommendations.
The Douglas County Board voted 4–1 to approve a master plan amendment and a zoning map amendment that change the future‑land‑use and zoning designation on a 5‑acre portion of a 24‑acre parcel near the U.S. 395/0 Lane intersection in Minden from A19 agricultural to general commercial.
Why it matters: The reclassification is intended to provide developable commercial land immediately adjacent to an existing commercial node on Highway 395 and was supported by the Town of Minden and by the county Planning Commission. The applicant said the 5 acres proposed for commercial use are outside the floodway and would be combined with an adjacent 0.16‑acre commercial lot; the remaining 19 acres would remain in agricultural zoning and be left undeveloped because much of it lies in the floodway.
Community and staff input: Lucille Reo (Community Development staff) told the board the Town of Minden and the Planning Commission recommended approval and that staff found the proposal consistent with the county master plan once the 5‑acre amendment is approved. Gary Thirme, representing the property owner Dorian Faught, described the parcel as historically used for pasture and said the western portion proposed for commercial use is out of the floodway and has direct access to Highway 395.
Opponents and planning concerns: Public commenter Jim Slade urged denial, arguing the change conflicts with master‑plan policies to preserve agricultural character and to avoid new impervious surfaces in sensitive areas. Slade also cited potential traffic effects at the busy intersection. Commissioner Gardner said she could not find a demonstrated need for additional commercial land and voted against the amendments for that reason.
Vote and next steps: The board voted to approve the master plan amendment and the zoning ordinance change (Douglas County code findings cited by staff and the maker of the motion). The county will proceed with the zoning map revision and boundary adjustment to combine the now‑commercial parcel with the adjacent small commercial lot; any future development will require design review and other standard project approvals.
Ending: Commissioners said the action was intended to enable new commercial development in an underused pocket adjacent to Minden’s existing commercial areas while keeping the floodway acreage in agricultural/open status.
