Mixed-Use Development Proposed Near Walmart

A proposed 15.77-acre development near Walmart could bring 70 townhomes, a 137-room hotel, retail businesses, and restaurants to Casey Road.

The Churchill County Planning Commission reviewed the preliminary proposal Aug. 25. Commissioners emphasized that the project remains in the early stages and that no action was taken during the workshop.

Karen Downs of RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture and Rebecca Bernier of Bluestone Engineering and Consulting presented the proposal on behalf of Silver Sage Developments LLC.

Silver Sage Developments LLC submitted the conceptual planned unit development (PUD) application for property at 2255, 2355, and 2475 Casey Road. The property is zoned for a combination of residential and commercial uses and has an urbanizing master plan designation.

The residential zone of the development would include 70 attached single-family townhomes, each on a separate lot. Townhomes would feature two-car garages, with extra guest parking available in the neighborhood. According to Downs, the homes would mainly sit near existing residences in the southwestern part of the property. Plans also call for a four-story hotel with up to 137 rooms on approximately 3.9 acres near Walmart.

The proposed project would also include commercial development on roughly 6.3 acres. Possible uses include retail businesses, a sit-down restaurant, a coffee shop, and drive-through restaurants. The commercial zone would include a shared parking area to be used by customers.

Commissioners asked questions about infrastructure and road access. Because of the location, Silver Sage is discussing shared and improved access with Walmart. According to Bernier, the plans include improving an existing entrance from Casey Road and adding another entrance that would connect with the Walmart drive aisle in front of the store. However, the proposal does not currently include widening or improving Casey Road itself.

Commissioners raised concerns about emergency access, questioning whether the residential area would have enough exits during a flood or other emergency. Bernier said the developer would ideally add a second access point on Casey Road and is also considering emergency access from Pine Road.

Commissioner Jeff Goings asked whether Pine Road is a county road or an easement road. He explained that roughly 300 feet of Pine Road is unpaved and does not appear to be maintained. He suggested improving the road to provide another entrance or emergency exit for the development. Planning staff said Pine Road is believed to be an easement road but that staff would confirm its status before the project’s next hearing.

The commission also discussed pedestrian access and privacy for neighboring residents. Downs confirmed that sidewalks and pathways would be provided throughout the development. Commissioners suggested adding stronger privacy measures, such as a wall or barrier between existing homes and townhomes, and Downs agreed to consider additional buffering as the plans are revised.

According to Downs, Silver Sage Developments LLC expects to submit a tentative map for the residential lots, request a variance for the hotel’s height, and seek special use permits for proposed uses. The proposal will return to the planning commission for a conceptual hearing accompanied by a staff report, after which the developer will be expected to address comments from county staff and commissioners before submitting a formal PUD application.

During public comment, Casey Road resident Heriberto “Eddie” Delgado Lopez opposed the residential part of the development. He raised concerns about loss of agricultural land, effects on wildlife, and privacy. “I mean, this is okay, I believe, for like a hotel or something. But for a residential area there, I don't think it's a very good idea,” he said.

Michelle Anderson spoke in support of the development but asked the county to ensure nearby infrastructure keeps pace with growth. “In particular, I would like to see improved street lighting, better pedestrian crossings, consideration of whether portions of Casey Road might need to be widened, or otherwise improved to safely handle the additional traffic that's going to come with this development,” she said.