SPARKS, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Formal applications have now been filed for a proposal that could convert a large portion of the Red Hawk Golf Course in Spanish Springs into housing, moving the controversial project into the city’s official review process.
The city of Sparks confirmed it received applications from Red Hawk Land Company on Tuesday, Jan. 21, seeking to modify development plans within Wingfield Springs and The Foothills at Wingfield Springs. The filings include Comprehensive Plan land use amendments and planned development handbook amendments for both communities.
City staff are currently reviewing the applications for completeness. If deemed complete, staff will then evaluate the substance of the proposals under applicable law and prepare recommendations for the Sparks Planning Commission and Sparks City Council.
Any meetings on the applications would be open to the public with notice provided as required by Nevada law. In addition, Red Hawk must hold a noticed neighborhood meeting before the Planning Commission can consider the proposals.
As News 4/Fox 11 reported last week, the filings mark a significant step forward for a project that has already drawn concern from nearby residents. The Red Hawk Golf Course spans east Sparks and includes two 18-hole courses — the Hills Course and the Lakes Course. The proposed development would affect the Lakes Course, a stretch of green space surrounded by established residential neighborhoods.
Residents have raised concerns about traffic, water use, infrastructure capacity and the loss of open space.
“We need open space. I think we’re overpopulated — too much traffic,” Sparks resident Joe Raabe said in an interview last week. “It changes the community. It’s not what we purchased.”
The Wingfield Nevada Group, which represents the golf course, previously said ongoing financial losses at the Lakes Course prompted the push for housing. Chief operating officer and general counsel Emilia Cargill said the company could no longer sustain the course and planned to pursue residential development.
City officials previously confirmed developers discussed a concept that could add up to 764 residential units in the Wingfield Springs and Foothills areas. To move forward, amendments are required to both development handbooks, which set limits on density and land use.
A Sparks spokeswoman previously said that the Wingfield Springs handbook currently allows for a maximum of 2,595 residential units, with about 230 units remaining. The Foothills at Wingfield Springs handbook is already built out at 2,145 units, meaning additional development would require changes to approved plans.
City staff have also flagged potential infrastructure issues, including wastewater treatment capacity and traffic impacts, that would need to be addressed as part of the review.
Some residents say the pace of development in Spanish Springs already feels overwhelming.
“Every time we turn around they’re building something,” said Sparks resident Pat Galloway. “It’s part of growth, but it might be getting to be a bit much.”
No hearings have been scheduled yet. City officials emphasized that while formal applications are now on file, no decisions have been made and the review process is just beginning.