Jennifer Burton
Channel Two News
The University of Nevada is trying to decide what to do with 104 acres of farmland, and they're facing some tough critics. Hundreds of people came out to a community forum Tuesday night to give their opinion on a proposal to rezone and possibly sell the land. Speakers were often passionate as they made their case, some saying rezoning and developing the land will hurt future generations of Nevadans.
"This land is vital to our children, our grandchildren and to our great grandchildren," said one woman.
The community forum drew people from all walks of life; concerned citizens, farmers, teachers, students, real estate agents and chefs. They all came to speak against a plan to rezone a 104-acre parcel of land attached to UNR. The university says re-classifying the land will help protect it for future development. But many say that will put the rest of the UNR agricultural land and Wolf Pack Meats packing plant in jeopardy.
"How can you guarantee that someone won't come along and say ‘We're not going to take the other 90-percent and say it can't be agriculture anymore, because it's not good for our business park.'" said another concerned citizen.
With the downturn in the economy, UNR wants the ability to sell the land in the future, but others want to use the land to support local restaurants and teach a new generation of farmers.
Rob Holley who owns and operates a small farm sees an opportunity for the land.
"If they were to step up to the plate and have a current and relevant curriculum, they could help the farmers and ranchers of Nevada actually feed their neighbors," he said.
Another issue is the role of the parcel in the proposed Truckee Meadows flood plan. City councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza, just back from a meeting in Washington D.C., brought news from the federal government that may take that off the table.
"The parcel in question that you're bringing before the city council for re-zoning is not being looked at by the flood control project," Sferrazza told the panel.
UNR officials, including president Marc Johnson listened to all who wanted to comment.
"The real value in of this land is not in dollars and cents. The value of this land is for teaching, for experiencing, for learning new things," said a woman who wants the land used for teaching.
President Marc Johnson said he heard what people were trying to say.
"They're very passionate about the desire for open space, the ability of the college of agriculture to train more farmers and to keep this land open to educate students about agriculture," said Johnson.
He says they'll take the input under consideration, along with e-mails and letters they've received for and against the project, and decide what to present to the Reno City Council. That presentation is scheduled for some time next month.
