Galena Creek trailhead
Horse property in Callahan Ranch
Deer habitat
Why does Planning Commissioner Weber get put an addition on his barn... without a permit... right on the property line?
Useful Links
(Nevada State Journal, April 9, 1978)
THE FOREST AREA PLAN: This is the area master plan under Washoe County's unique One Map system where developers were able to sneak in zoning changes. It added sprawl and commercial activity along the Mt Rose Scenic Corridor. They admitted to violating Nevada's Open Meeting Law, violated NRS Notice Requirements and possibly engaged in a "taking" of some people's zoning.
The Forest Area Plan faced overwhelming neighborhood opposition. Residents were not "NIMBY", we just wanted growth consistent with the areas rural and horse lifestyle, not clustered homes, condos and commercial at the treeline on the scenic highway. Our Commissioner Humke was of no help and not responsive. It passed and is now done.
Within weeks of the change allowing Matera Ridge's 632 cluster homes, the corporation filed bankruptcy when faced with a trustee sale. Matera Ridge... at the end of Fawn Lane... will devastate the neighborhood character.
When our elected officials get most their campaign money from pro-development sources, the basic tenets of a democracy are threatened. We need to elect neutral officials and to pass ballot measures that protect urban sprawl and such unethical behavior.
As part of the plan, the now bankrupt Matera Ridge LLC, working hand in hand with county officials, sought to take over our US Forest Service land. Thanks to neighborhood opposition we fought this back. We need your help. Sign up for our E-grams... get involved... be heard... attend meetings... and throw the bums out.
Developers sought... and surely will continue to try to take over... 375 acres of US Forest Service open land south of Mt Rose Highway... a designated Scenic Highway... east of Fawn Lane, west of Edmonton and south of where Thomas Creek intersects Mt Rose Highway. We need to preserve this land as wildlife habitat, for hiking, equestrian trails, and various other park uses for future generations. The USFS wants to get rid of it. Your help is needed.
We thank Voters for Sensible Growth for their help. We have partnered with them for fund raising and raising community awareness throughout the Truckee Meadows. Elections are pending! We would like to see qualified candidates elected that are not so pro-sprawl. With Voters for Sensible Growth we hope to hold a candidates forum soon. Hopefully those those on the county commission can be replaced.
The Mt Rose & Callahan Ranch area are located in an area of high fire danger. We thank Dr. Robert Parker of the Galena Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) for his involvement. Much of the area is currently served by the Sierra Fire Protection District (SFPD). Other areas are served by the Reno Fire Department.
We also fought to require the county treasurer to accept only full payment of delinquent taxes from developers... consistent with state law... resulting in thousands of past due dollars into county coffers. Another group of citizens fought against an owner who had sought to greatly increase zoning and force his way across their land. In a dramatic court decision that affects others in the area, the judge not only ruled in favor of the citizens protecting their land but he required the plaintiff to pay their attorney fees of about $130,000!
As a result of our fight the county finally agree to do away with the re-zoning procedure done with Matera Ridge (One Map system) and move to the system used by almost all of the rest of Nevada.
Beth Honebein and others continue to fight the good fight and keep us informed. We can't do it alone. Email us and ask how you can help. Get involved.