By MARK WAITE
PVT
Changes in zoning regulations were approved by Nye County commissioners Thursday, pertaining to grandfathered uses and solar energy.
Property owners who want to resume a business in a residential zone that has sat vacant for more than six months, losing its non-conforming use for that zone, may apply for a conditional use permit to reopen as a business under the changes to the code governing grandfathered uses.
A property owner may also apply for a waiver to gain relief from a six-month time limit when a non-conforming use that sits vacant reverts back to its original zoning.
Broker Kathey Benoit, of First Choice Business Brokers, asked how it would affect a business like the Eagles Nest, a restaurant and convenience store which closed on Kellogg Road. She said the property has now reverted back to a residential zone, but it would be difficult to sell it for that use.
“Nobody wants to build a swing set on top of a gas station,” Benoit said.
Nye County Planning Director Steve Osborne said the new buyer would have to pay $350 and wait a couple of months for the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission to consider the request for the conditional use permit to operate a business again at that location.
Benoit said residential property may sell for $12,000, but a commercial zone with a gas station would be worth a lot more.
“It makes it harder to bring the established, commercial property in here to improve our lives by bringing money in and hiring people,” she said.
Solar incentives
Solar photovoltaic facilities, wind generators or other green energy projects generating up to 20 megawatts of electricity would be allowable in a light industrial or a rural homestead zone with lots of at least 9.5 acres, under a bill adopted Thursday.
Bob Gronauer, representing Solar Millennium, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
In a related matter, an 80-acre special projects overlay zone was also approved for large developments with specialized or unique projects.
It is intended to allow residences in combination with a focal point which can include renewable energy generating facilities, college campuses or other educational facilities, industrial projects, recreational projects geared towards tourism or entertainment, or complimenting a commercial project.
The special projects zone may be applied to any parcel within the Pahrump Regional Planning District.
The approval would be subject to meetings with members of the sheriff’s office, planning department, public works, utility companies, the fire department, building and safety department. They would consider the type of special project, location, density, phasing, feasibility, requirements for a development agreement and specific development standards.
