“The only permanent planning tool available to retain our open spaces and food-growing places is the placement of conservation easements,” says Jacques Etchegoyhen, longtime resident, former county commissioner and current principal with Terra Firma Associates, LLC. “It is also the only tool that keeps the water forever in the emerald oasis we call home. Any other mechanism such as Master Planning, zoning, planned developments, deed restrictions and so on can be undone far too easily.”

SOMEONE HAS TO DO CROWD CONTROL
So who oversees the inevitable increase in crime and traffi c concerns that come with growth? Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, a popular elected offi cial in his second term, says he can always use more offi cers. “We get more calls about traffi c and congestion than anything, and just dealing with the amount of complaints we get is time consuming,” he says. “We do give out about 5,000 citations a year, which requires us to have more traffi c offi cers out there.” Pierini says a future ballot question to help Douglas County fund public safety is probably inevitable, since projections are that his department will need 45 additional personnel during the next fi ve years. “Our biggest issue is that we cover 750 square miles and three communities — Topaz Lake, Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe,” he says. “When I was elected eight years ago, we had around 35,000 calls a year, and now we’re up to around 60,000 calls.”

By Linda Hiller
LIKE THE REST OF NEVADA, DOUGLAS COUNTY IS GROWING.
But how fast or slow that growth should be is the question. According to the Nevada State Demographer’s offi ce, the county population grew 4.8 percent last year to 50,102, making it one of the fastest growth counties in Nevada. “As long as Douglas County continues to be a desirable place and affordable to those who have the desire, we are going to grow,” says County Manager Dan Holler. “We can see all around us the ‘wrong’ way to grow; we need to be out in front with good planning.” County voters agree.

In 2002, 53 percent of voters approved a grassroots Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI), limiting new home building permits to 280 per year (the average for 2000-2005 was 555).

“The message we wanted to send to our commissioners was for them to stop rubber stamping what seemed like every development proposal that came before them,” says Harriet Watters, who collected SGI signatures in the beginning. “We just wanted them to slow down a bit and honor the Master Plan more.” But a subsequent lawsuit by real estate developers stalled its implementation, and SGI has been tied up in court ever since, only recently getting tossed back to the county from the Nevada Supreme Court. “(SGI) is important for the sentiment that it represents in the community.”

GROWTH: CURSE OR BLESSING?
While growth may be the “G” word to many in Douglas County, the upside of it has been shopping convenience, reduced commute times, tax relief, more jobs and a shift away from tourism dependence, Holler says. And more people means more heads to put together to fi nd an acceptable county growth control solution should SGI remain paralyzed by the legal system. “We have the people capital to come together and address our challenges,” Holler says. “But for now, the fate of the voter initiative is still up to the courts.”

RESIDENT VIGNETTE:
In the 38 years they’ve been married; Dave and Kathy Whitefi eld have lived in four states and seen a variety of community lifestyles from rural Nebraska to urban Arizona and California. But when Dave, an 18-year fi eld engineer for Bently Nevada, was invited to relocate to the company’s Minden headquarters in 1998, the Whitefi elds found a place they could love right away. “When we fi rst moved to the Carson Valley, we were very excited to be living so close to the mountains, Lake Tahoe and all the scenic areas nearby.” Kathy says. “Dave is an avid fly fisher and loves all the nearby rivers, lakes and streams.” Though only two of their six children are left at home — 17-year-old twins, Bob and Chris — family is still important, and that means education, good medical facilities and convenient shopping.

“We really do appreciate the good schools and health care available here, and lately we’ve appreciated not having to go all the way to Reno to shop — instead we now have our very own Target, Home Depot and Costco,” Kathy says. “And the new In-N-Out means no more trips to Auburn or Placerville just to get a Double- Double.”

As for the future, the Whitefi elds hope growth doesn’t change their home town too much. “We would like to see the area continue to grow, but in a measured way that doesn’t negatively impact the beauty and small town atmosphere,” Kathy says.