Residents oppose new senior complex

     By Ray Parker
     View staff writer
      Beatrice Turner's anger intensified as she addressed the North Las Vegas City Council about a proposed two-story senior complex going up in front of her house.
      "You've stacked the deck against us," she said, waving her hand. "You bring in these people who don't even live here and tell us what you're going to put in.
      "No, you're not going to get away with it."
      Turner and 10 of her neighbors came out to the Dec. 16 meeting to voice their concern about a Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada housing project proposed for 2 acres at Lexington Street and Pontiac Avenue. The project would be directly across the street from their houses.
      Many of the residents, such as John Anderson, have lived in their homes for 20 or more years.
      The residents said they don't mind progress but what they do object to is the way they found out about the project. Having lived for so long on the same street, Anderson said county and city officials should have shown him more respect.
      Despite the objections, the council voted 3-2 to overturn the Planning Commission and allow the project to proceed. Councilman John Rhodes and William Robinson voted against the project.
      "I'll grant you we need a senior complex in the city but this isn't the place," Robinson said. "For these people to live in front of a two-story building -- burns the hell out of me."
      The housing project will be next to the new County Resource Center at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Carey Avenue, which will entail four buildings in all: the North Las Vegas Justice Court, the Martin Luther King Senior Center, Family Youth Services and Social Services.
      Councilwoman Stephanie Smith said senior housing would be less intrusive than the current commercial designation. She urged developers and residents to come to a consensus and work together.
      A public hearing on the matter is set for the Jan. 20 council meeting.
      "It seems like a real lack of communication," she said.
      In other business, the council:
      Upheld the Planning Commission decision to approve an application by Kenyon, LLC for a use permit to allow a convenience store with gas pumps, located at the southeast corner of Simmons Street and La Maneda Avenue.
      Upheld the Planning Commission decision to deny an application by Shleby Seiler for a use permit to allow an off-premise billboard, located at 2000 N. Cheyenne Ave.
      Approved an application by Discount Tire Co. to change the Master Plan from low density residential to mixed use commercial, located at the southwest corner of Craig Road and Fuseilier Street.
      Approved an application by Avante Homes LLC to change the Master Plan from low density residential to high density residential, located at the southeast corner of Valley Drive and Ranch House Road.
      Approved a one-year extension on a resolution of intent submitted by Marcus & Millichap to rezone land from general commercial to general industrial, located at the southeast corner of Civic Center Drive and Alexander Road.
      Approved a one-year extension on a resolution of intent submitted by Capital Pacific Homes to rezone land from ranch estates to single-family residential for land bounded by Ann Road, Simmons Street, Ranch House Road, El Campo Grande Avenue and Tropical Parkway.
      Approved a resolution of intent submitted by Avante Homes LLC to rezone land from single family residential to general commercial and multi-family residential, located at the southwest corner of Centennial Parkway and Valley Drive.
      Continued to its Jan. 6 meeting, an appeal of the Planning Commission decision to deny an application by Terra West Development to change the Master Plan from rural residential-low density to residential-low density, located at the northeast corner of Lone Mountain Road and Valley Drive.
      Continued to its Jan. 6 meeting, a resolution of intent submitted by Saxton Inc. to rezone land from single family residential to planned unit development, located at the northeast corner of Coleman Street and Evans Avenue.
      Continued to its Feb. 3 meeting, an appeal of the Planning Commission decision to deny an application by Templeton Development Corporation to change the Master Plan from low density residential to high density residential, located at the southwest corner of Allen Lane and Alexander Road.