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I am writing to you to express my strong support for the acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch for open space and public use. It is one of the last parcels of property that might be made available for open space and it will provide the residents and visitors of the Truckee Meadows unparalleled access to the Forest Service, opportunity to explore and enjoy a serene environment and serve as an invaluable wildlife refuge for years to come. Those who have been working to support the acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch for public use are to be strongly commended. The efforts of the Washoe County Commission to obtain the Ballardini Ranch through the use of bond funds and other possible sources are deeply appreciated. These efforts should not be interfered with in any future planning. To bring the Ballardini Ranch into the sphere of influence of the City of Reno or allow the Truckee Meadows Services Area to remain in the Ballardini Ranch will, I believe, send a message to the developers that a proposed development in the Ballardini Ranch might be well received on the part of the City of Reno. This message would likely place the possibility of acquiring the Ballardini Ranch through public funds in serious jeopardy since it would increase the value of the Ballardini Ranch to a level which might be impossible to obtain through public funding. The owner of the Ballardini Ranch is entitled to a fair price. Taking that into consideration (although the best planning decision would be to exclude the entire Ballardini Ranch from the sphere of influence of the Reno and the Truckee Meadows Services Area), we request that you vote to exclude any sphere of influence of Reno or the Truckee Meadows Services Area from the southern half of the Ballardini Ranch. Such a decision would not interfere with the development potential that existed at the time of the acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch by the owner, but at the same time would not detract from the efforts of those who would seek to purchase it for permanent public enjoyment. It is also important for the owner to recognize that all governmental entities support acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch, for a fair price. The owner and Washoe County should given the opportunity to complete constructive communication on the subject. Regardless of the outcome of those negotiations, I believe the current zoning, under the County zoning densities, should remain permanent maximum density for the entire Ranch. I therefore strongly urge: (a) elimination of the sphere of influence of Reno and the Truckee Meadow Services Area from at least the southern half of the Ballardini Ranch (although complete elimination of both from the entire Ranch is preferred), (b) a strong statement from the RPGB that it supports the ultimate acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch for open space public use, and (c) that a moratorium be declared on any proposed development, annexation or higher density on the northern half of the Ballardini Ranch for a sufficient period of time, not less than 24 months, for Washoe County and the owner to explore all good faith efforts for the public acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch at a fair price. Please give my views on this serious consideration when you vote on the issue on May 9, 2002. I believe the future of the Ballardini Ranch is at stake and that the vote of the RPGB will likely determine its outcome.