Over a hundred people packed into the Mesquite United Methodist Church sanctuary on Thursday, April 21 not to sing hymns and pray together but to boisterously oppose a proposed Recreational Vehicle resort park located next door.
A vacant 14-acre lot between the church and Town and Country commercial mall on West Pioneer Boulevard is a bank-owned property and two men want to purchase it. The neighborhood meeting with Chris Muir and Kent Sweat, potential developers from Heber City, Utah, and Victor Campbell, an engineering consultant with Bulloch Brothers, was intended to discuss their plans with nearby residents.
From the outset, things didn’t go so well for the proposal or developers.
The lot, currently zoned for multi-family low density housing that allows eight units per acre, must be approved for rezoning by the Mesquite City Council for RV mobile home resort use that also allows eight units per acre. The rezoning hearing is currently scheduled for the May 24 council meeting.
Most of the opposition centered on aesthetics, safety, and effects on property values in nearby neighborhoods, primarily Highland Fairways.
The developers gave very few details of the proposed RV park explaining that they weren’t going to spend a lot of money developing architectural and engineering plans until they were more confident the rezoning issue would be approved. That led to heightened frustration from the audience because they didn’t get answers to their questions.
Several people expressed concerns over the transient nature of an RV park or it turning into a mobile home park. The developers responded that they would only allow a six-month maximum stay and no mobile homes would be allowed. They also said the resort would be geared towards high-end RVs and snowbirds wanting to stay through the winter. Users would not be limited by age restrictions and the resort would be available to the general public.
The RV resort would have up to 116 parking spots with a swimming pool and 2,000 square foot office/manager residence. “Traffic projections are about doubled in peak hours in the mornings and afternoons,” Campbell said. “There will only be a right turn in and a right turn out on Pioneer Boulevard.”
Traffic flows and required U-turns on the busy boulevard riled up many in the audience. Since there would not be a median cut directly in front of the RV park, drivers of units that can be 45 feet or longer would have to use the median cut in front of the church or the busy intersection at West Pioneer Boulevard and Grapevine Road for U-turns.
One man in the audience said “The site distance in these locations is terrible. What you’re proposing is dangerous.”
Campbell also explained that the emergency exit would not be located between the Methodist and Lutheran churches as reported earlier by the Mesquite Local News. Rather, it would be located under the power lines on the far side of the Lutheran day care center. That caused concerns about the safety of the children at the care center.
Because the land is now zoned for multi-family housing, Doug Reath, realtor working with potential developers, told the crowd that if the RV resort is not approved, they can build three-story condominium units without further zoning approval from the city. “That will block your views of the mountains from the homes in Highland Fairways.”
That only angered the audience even more with several saying “don’t come in here and try to scare us into liking this idea.”
“Did you, in your wildest dreams, think we were going to embrace this idea?” one man asked.
An elderly gentleman who lives in Highland Fairways expressed his and others’ concerns when he said “I’ve heard three people today automatically refer to this as a trailer park. I think that’s probably true. Have you considered that this is our neighborhood? We are passionate about Highland Fairways. We want it to remain what it is today. If this is built, we’ll be in line to find a real estate agent to sell our homes so we can go somewhere else.”
The crowd erupted in applause and laughter when one man suggested they try proposing an RV park in the middle of Sun City and see if they could get it approved.
When one audience member asked for a show of hands of those who liked the idea, no one responded. When asked for all those who disapprove of the idea, every hand in the audience went up.
One man implored the audience to go to the city council meetings and voice their concerns and disapproval. “Go to the meeting and this won’t happen,” he said.
Reath said the property purchase is contingent on approval of the rezoning. Sweat added to that saying, “It is possible that we could walk away from this. But something is going in there. What do you want (an RV resort or condos)?”
The audience responded with “nothing.”
Sweat replied that “if we can’t do an RV park, we’ll put 112 condos on the property. Something is going in there.”
Written comments regarding the rezoning proposal can be submitted via email to Richard Secrist, City of Mesquite Development Services Director, at rsecrist@mesquitenv.gov or addressed to him at 10 E. Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, NV 89027. Comments will be compiled and submitted to city council members and the mayor.
Put up the condos. Why not? Build them like cigar boxes and add a few steeples to match the nearby churches. Paint them bold art-decco to enhance the property values. Forget about the RV resort.
I don’t live in that area, but common sense prevails that the area is not good for an RV park. Pioneer Blvd is not designed for RV traffic. Besides, there is already an RV park off of Falcon Ridge and I thought the owner was proposing expanding that area.
Also, who do these two gentlemen think they are? Mr. Sweat said: “It is possible that we could walk away from this. But something is going in there. What do you want (an RV resort or condos)?”
Good public relations do not include barnstorming into a community and bullying and threatening the residents. This deal needs to be killed immediately. Chris Muir and Kent Sweat (and their attitude) need to be shown the door
There is nothing to worry about. I have 30+ years experience as an RVer and I can tell you this is a lousy location for an RV park. Even if the rezoning were approved (which seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened) and the RV “Resort” built, it would be out of business within a year or so (depending only on how deep are the pockets of the owners). Land yacht owners who want to winter in Mesquite have other options and won’t put up with endless freeway noise. Other RV owners who stay for only a few nights (or less) also have other options including free overnight parking.
Now as for condos being placed there, well, the property is zoned residential. Neighbors are being naive if they bought in Highland Fairways with the idea that the land across the street was going to stay vacant forever.
As an RVer, I too WOULD NOT stay in a park that close to the Freeway!
Nice Condos would be better than an RV park, which would cheapen the land and bring in a bunch of transients. What WERE these developers “thinking?!”
If condos are built they are going to be 3 stories high not including the 30 foot foundations most likely to include garages. An rv park will be seasonal residents and won’t obstruct virgin mountain views. The park will be ground level. If I was a property owner in Highland fairways I would choose to preserve my views and property value. Or they can all pitch in and buy the land themselves. Either way, the land will be developed
TELL THESE 2 MORMONS ,SWEAT AND MUTH TO GO UP TO THE CHOSEN LAND IN HUBER ,UT AND PUT IT THERE.
OF COURSE , WATCH THIS REAL CLOSE- A MIRACLE MIGHT COME AND GET APPROVED BY OUR COUNCIL- TIDINGS ANYONE?
Why do you narrow minded bigots think everyone from Utah is a Mormon ?
You have got to be kidding me about putting a R.V. Park in that location. There
Are several parks that aren’t doing that well now. The one up by the hospital has
Been in trouble for years and now has a new owner. The park by the Oasis is
Empty quite often. It will have cash flow issues and they will rent to long term
Trailor trash in old R.V.s to keep the doors open. The realitor Mr. Reath is just
Looking to line his pockets with a comission has I have used him once but never
Again. This project is a total loser in that area. Gary
A few of the many Questions that were raised at the 4/21/16 Information Meeting and responses:
• Will such proposed RV Park allow Single or double wide mobile homes, Park Models, etc? Most answers of this topic: “ We Don’t know”.
• At what grade level will the project be? “ We think an unknown height by pulling the hill from the East down, and not have to bring in any more fill”. Will the perimeter be fenced? “I think so!”
• Will there be “on site” management and or security, 24/7? “Yes.” Where will that management person reside? “We do not know!” What experience do the park owners have in running a RV Park? “None!” Employee parking, RV Storage area? “Unknown!” What market will you be appealing to, as: over night, longer term, etc.? “Not answered.” Are lots open to purchase or renting only, daily, monthly or extended periods? “Up to six (6) months.” Will you have a sewer dump station? “Yes, a tank and will pump sewage to street sewer level.” Will each site have water, electric and sewage dump? “Yes.”
• Are their limitations to size and or age or type (tents, 5th wheel, Large motor homes) of RV’s ? “No response.”
• Protesters raised issues of concern that ATV and Razor vehicles common with RVs of noise, dust and utilizing the desert parcels to the north along I-15 up to the water tank all the way to Virgin River area, to seemingly deaf ears of Muir, the developer.
• How will those using the RV Park affect traffic flow, entrance and egress, noise, turning lanes, exhaust fumes, etc.? “No specific response! “ Will a traffic light be installed, and a left turn lane for West bound RV’s to enter the property? “ No!”
• Will there be additional “permanent” structures on the property, as office, restrooms, laundry facility, Clubhouse, Pool, park models, mobile homes, etc.? Size, 1 story, 2? “Undecided and or we do not know response.”
• Will families be allowed to reside in this park on a permanent basis, year round, and if so, the impact on local schools, traffic, etc? “Not able to answer.”
• Construction timetable? “Would build this summer.”
• Will the Park have fencing of the parcel perimeter as code requires? “Yes.”
An informational meeting which had few specifics of intent of the builders and those answering many questions. No Park blueprints or sketches of a RV Park were offered. Only two pictures of what some Condo buildings at street.
An informational meeting which had few specifics of intent of the builders and those answering many questions. No Park blueprints or sketches of a RV Park were offered. Only two pictures of what some Condo buildings at street level might look like.
REMEMBER what RV Parks seem to attract: (Tornado’s and Hurricanes and similar undesired events?….as often seen the weather channel.)
The current RV Parks in and near Mesquite (Solstice W of the Hospital, 2 at Casa Blanca, 2 in Post Office area, Desert Skies, New RV park adjacent to Smiths and dry camping area south of Virgin River Hotel) are rarely, if ever, full and in the hot summer months are mostly empty. It is the opine of this writer that the proposed RV Park zoning request for 520 W Pioneer behind the Methodist Church is too far from the I-15 Exits and will draw few RVs who will not have a good nights rest listening to the adjacent Freeway noise nor will they stay there on their next visit.
The Minister for the church stated that he counted 140 people.
Doug Reath, realtor working with potential developers,….
He is a realtor for Premier Realty, who has the proposed RV Park parcel, up for sale.
Two of the City Council who may vote on the RV Park proposal also work for Premier Realty.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST ? VIOLATION OF REALTORS CODE OF ETHICS?
Muir who is from Heber, Ut. and not a citizen of Mesquite, admitted in the informational meeting that he had NO experience operating a RV Park.
Of the approximately 150 persons attending, the majority were in opposition to rezoning to a RV Park, while only one (1) spoke in favor and he later stated he no longer is a Mesquite citizen. A pal of Muir?
Muir, his Engineer, his Realtor from Premier and Partner Sweat, had few answers with no specific plans to offer, as to what the citizens will see in his proposed RV Park, as to the grade, fencing, office, landscaping, traffic problems anticipated, noise and dust levels, Rv’s anticipated, etc.
He did say he wants to build it this summer. Build what?, he did not say and he also threatened that if he could not do a RV park, he might do condos. He would pull the dirt from one end of the property to the lower part, to level the parcel for building, maybe.
An Informational meeting with very little information, only listening to citizen’s concerns AGAINST the zone change request, without answers! It was also seemed apparent the two churches adjacent to the parcel are in objection to a RV Park, (although the Methodist Church would get a gain to their land from the RV Park parcel of an acre+ on the deal – what’s that all about?).
Will the City of Mesquite Planning and Development and the City Council meeting of May 24, 2016 to approve Muir’s re zoning application with such little information on the scheme of the RV Park proposed, with no traffic study, pollution study, desert turtle study, grade and building plans etc.
IMO, this does not pass the smell test and has the odor of a “good ole boy” plan.
The developers gave very few details of the proposed RV park explaining that they weren’t going to spend a lot of money developing architectural and engineering plans until they were more confident the rezoning issue would be approved. That led to heightened frustration from the audience because they didn’t get answers to their questions.
How could any City Council or planning division give a stamp of approval WITHOUT detailed plans necessary studies?
“Traffic projections are about doubled in peak hours in the mornings and afternoons,” Campbell said.”
Yep, that’s just what we need! That will affect most all Mesquite citizens. More traffic congestion as St. George is experiencing. Walkers and joggers, more air pollution.
The many Vistas HOA’s (Home Owners Association) on the north side of I-15 and Highland Fairways have large “reserve funds” for anticipated future needs as Streets, Fire Hydrants, Street Lights, etc. and these HOA’s members also pay, not only dues, but Real Estate taxes which the (City gets a % of) and Vistas HOA maintains most of the public streets islands and sidewalk landscaping and watering, which the whole city benefits from.
The City does NOT maintain the Streets, Hydrants, Street Lights, Street sweeping, etc. in HOA’s as they do for citizens on the south side of I-15 receive. It seems very prudent we have a large say as to whether or not a RV Park be allowed in our residential neighborhood, that is not now allowed or zoned for.
Find a better, CURRENTLY ZONED FOR “RV / Motor Home / Mobile Home / Trailer Park / Tent Camping location at or near the three (3) I-15 exits #120, #122 and new #118 which Rv’s can readily access I-15 and not have to tow their trailers through the City streets, yet they can visit with their tow car or bike or walk to the business corridor nearby to gamble, eat, fuel up, etc. while visiting the beautiful twin cities of Scenic Mesquite.
I have lived in Mesquite for 50 years born and raised and never heard so many ridiculous remarks I think we need to have an RV resort in town . It will bring in a lot of revenue for our community . I don’t live in Highland Estates I’m on the other side of town and a native to Mesquite . You people that do not want this Are not even from Mesquite 90% of you and when you people came to Mesquite I had open arms for each and everyone of you . So when read remarks like I just read it sickens me . We need to welcome all visitors and all businesses to our town
Bob: Many, if not all, moved here and into Highland Fairways HOA and surrounding residential areas, with full knowledge that residential, up to 35 feet high, low density housing is possible on the aforementioned parcel, as approved by your City folks and the City Master Plan, which also has currently zoned spaces in the commercial and Hotel areas CURRENTLY allowing and zoned for RV Parks.
In addition, there already exists five or so RV Parks (2 at Casa Blanca, 1 each at Post office and by John’s Diesel, Solstice, adjacent to Smiths, and Desert Skies) which, few if any, ever reach full occupancy.
You also sound like you would not have a problem if a RV Park were to be built across the street from you.
It’s all about location!
Don’t believe the 6 month residency limit. I have seen this at an RV fishing resort that made a similar agreement with the town in which it is located. After 90 days you pull your camper (predominately fifth wheels) off the pad for one night then re-register or just move to a different site. To avoid the appearance of permanence none of the fifth wheels can have skirting and no one can have any kind of storage shed, so all of the tenants stuff is scattered about. Unless occupancy is 100% with a waiting list no one will be asked to move on.
I’m not too worried about condos going in, if an RV Park is most likely a money loser then who in their right mind would buy a 150,000 condo next to the interstate?
Very little planning has gone into their ideas, and honestly if you do a simple google search on the individuals involved you may find many more questions need to be answered.
Wow, suppose this is the same guy?
https://www.google.com/#q=Kent+Sweat+%2C+heber+Utah+sec
Interesting! I’m sure Barbara will find out. She’s amazing at researching the truth.
Condo’s are ok… we have The Falls and Enchantment in the area and they are much better than a RV Park. There is one RV park by the Hosp and one by smiths that are never full. Why another one? I vote no!
This guy is just trying to do business in Nevada where regulators aren’t watching him so close. Doug Reath should have known better than get involved with this group. Seems suspicious they choose Premier Properties to do business with, firm that has itself a shady reputation and has 2 city councilmen in its pocket. This project is a scam and our city needs to say NO and tell Doug Reath, Geno Withelder and George Rapson, this type of shady projects are not wanted in our town. Those 3 owe us an apology. Withelder is already being sued for the “garbage dump housing project”, is this just another example of that mentality? Remember this when you vote!!!!!!!
Genoa Withelder needs to resign from the city council.