Commission OKs Kactus Kate's

     By Ray Parker
     View staff writer
      The planning commission gave the go-ahead for The Kactus Kate's Casino during a special meeting Dec. 15, approving a zone change, a use permit and 110-foot tower (60 is usually the maximum).
      Kactus Kate's will have a western theme, with an 11-story hotel tower containing 450 rooms and about 60,000-square-feet of casino space.
      The 28-acre project will be built on the northeast corner of Rancho Drive and Carey Avenue. There are already several casino-hotels in the area, including Texas Station, Fiesta and the Lake Mead Casino, which has been approved but not built.
      The new project is supposed to be developed in either 2000 or 2001, depending on the market.
      "Market may be there or not; (there's) lots of casinos in the area," said Barry Lieberman, representing Coast Resorts Inc. (Barbary Coast, The Orleans and Gold Coast). "I can assure you it will be a pretty project catered to locals."
      Commissioner Robert Eliason asked about problems that may occur because of the nearby North Las Vegas Airport.
      Said Lieberman: "If the (tower) height is unsafe, we'll knock it down lower."
      In another item, the commission approved revised building plans for the Speedway Casino (formerly the Cheyenne Casino) at 3227 Civic Center Drive.
      The developers went before the commission to get approval for changing the building's southwest style to a race-car theme.
      "This will be much different than the western, barn-type theme of appeal," said Charles McCallium, representing Speakeasy Gaming of Las Vegas Inc. "We're going with the winner, checkered flag, race-car theme.
      "It will be a jewel in the community, on the highway and not near neighborhoods."
      The business will employ about 120 people and is expected to open Jan. 15.
      Commissioner Nelson Stone asked, referring to the checkered flag: "What happens to black paint in the summer?"
      As a condition of approval, the developer agreed to maintain the black and white flag on the exterior of the building.
      In other business, the commission:
      Recommended approving to the City Council an application by Avante Homes LLC to amend the Master Plan from low density residential to high density residential, located at the southwest corner of Centennial Parkway and Valley Drive.
      Recommended approving an application by Specifically Holding Inc. to reclassify land from ranch estates district to planned unit development, consisting of 135 single family homes on 19 acres at a density of 7.1 units per acre. The property is located at the northwest corner of Commerce Street and Park Royal Drive.
      Approved an application by Nevada Power Co. for a use permit to allow for a power substation, located about 675 feet east of Allen Lane and Centennial Parkway.
      Approved an application by Western States Contracting Inc. to vacate Mortimer Avenue between Cheyenne Avenue and Alice Street.