Commissioners approve amended Mountain Falls development agreement after extended debate

The Nye County Board of County Commissioners voted June 16 to adopt and amend the Mountain Falls South development agreement, after a lengthy public hearing in which residents, county staff and the project attorney debated water supply, drainage fees and perimeter design.

Residents urged the board to reject or defer the proposal until the Desert Research Institute’s Basin 162 hydrological model is complete. “We do not have the water to handle an additional 5,160 units,” resident Beth Borysiewicz told the board, warning of impacts on wells, public safety and schools. The county’s public‑works director told commissioners the draft revision removed drainage impact fees and reduced the developer’s responsibility for regional mitigation.

Mark Fiorentino, attorney for the applicant and representative of Adavan (the property owner), said the amendments do not authorize new units and stressed benefits the developer would deliver under the revised agreement. “This does not authorize any new units,” Fiorentino said, adding the amendment would spread existing entitlement over more acreage and require updated drainage and traffic studies. He told commissioners the project could deliver roughly $2,000,000,000 in development and would provide upfront and per‑unit payments for parks, fire and sheriff services.

Commissioners pressed for specific protections. Commissioner Strickland proposed — and the board adopted as part of the motion — an amendment limiting building height on parcels that share a property line with existing, outside properties along the project’s southern border to single‑story structures. The motion to adopt and amend the bill was made by Commissioner Strickland and seconded by Commissioner Jabbour; the clerk called the outcome carried by the majority (recorded as carrying on the meeting record). The agreement requires updated drainage studies and some regional traffic improvements to be completed and accepted before maps are recorded.

The vote concluded the long agenda item but left several concerns outstanding: Public Works asked to remain closely involved with implementation language and drainage acceptance; several residents said they intend to monitor subsequent sign‑offs and plan‑review steps closely. The county manager and the applicant said consultants would perform final technical reviews and that subdivision maps cannot be recorded until drainage and water commitments are certified.