Developer's diligence leads to approval of tire service center

By EMMILY N. BRISTOL

VIEW STAFF WRITER

It's not often the Henderson City Council encounters developers who actually seek input from nearby residents before asking the council to approve a project.

But that was the case recently, as developer P.C. Smith Properties -- hoping to bring a Goodyear Tire Center to an existing commercial development -- canvassed the community before seeking the council's blessing.

When the community didn't object, the developers went before the council. Pleased with company's efforts, the council at its Nov. 21 meeting approved a zone change from neighborhood commercial to community commercial, permitting Goodyear to set up shop in the Champion Village shopping center, located south of Lake Mead Drive and west of Gibson Road.

Councilman Jack Clark said he was happy with the work of P.C. Smith Properties. Meanwhile, Curtis Bunts, a representative for the developer, said he had signed affidavits from the four nearest residents saying they didn't protest the project. In a series of meeting, the developer spoke with many of the neighboring residents.

"We met with them É they even took suggestions on the paint color for the building," said Kevin Headler, one of the four residents who live nearest the proposed facility.

Headler said he also thought the landscaping and walls proposed between his property and the company would help alleviate noise he hears from the Interstate 215 freeway interchange at Lake Mead Drive and Gibson Road. At the same time, Headler said the landscaping would help block the view of the fast-food restaurant facing his back yard, which he said he doesn't like.

The zone change also came with conditions.

The 5.2-acre site the company would occupy, along with a gasoline station and a fast-food restaurant, have uses the council wanted to better control, including future uses if those businesses leave the site.

An automotive facility is considered a much more intense use of the land compared with the current business in the shopping center. At the Oct. 26 planning commission meeting, the commissioners recommended denying the zone change because the use was too intense.

Two other main concerns to the commission, besides use intensity, were the site's small size and its proximity to nearby residential homes; the nearest residence is 132 feet from the proposed facility.

Attorney John Marchiano of Kaufman and Broad represented the Champion Village shopping center. He said with several mitigating architectural and landscaping features, such as a sound wall and berm, the noise level would not increase for the nearby residents.

"I do not believe the use is too intense. There is no significant increase of noise if it is mitigated," Marchiano said.

At the public hearing, no residents appeared before the council to protest the proposal.

In other business Nov. 21, the council voted to:

Approve a zone change from low-density residential to neighborhood commercial with two accompanying resolutions for property located east of Stephanie Street on Horizon Ridge Parkway. The changes would allow for a restaurant called "The Derby" to be built. The council passed the changes after requiring the developer to remove a bar with seating area in the restaurant.

Approve a resolution to consider annexing 48.5 acres adjacent to the southwest boundary of the city. This item is scheduled to have a public hearing at the Jan. 2 meeting.

Approve an ordinance to amend the zoning map for parcels 26 and 40 on 37.6 acres in the Anthem Country Club. The amendment changes the land zoning from developmental holding to low-density residential.

Approve development memorandum and resolutions necessary for the continued development of the Fountain Plaza, LLC.

Approve an ordinance to amend the zoning map located at the corner of St. Rose Parkway, south of Eastern Avenue. The zoning would change from low-density residential to community commercial.

Approve an extension of time resolution for the Paradise Hills Plaza Commercial Subdivision at the corner of Mission Drive and Horizon Ridge Parkway.

Approve a resolution of intent to designate city-owned property for a Henderson district public library branch and document archive.

Approve an ordinance to allow for a multiple species habitat where there was once a desert tortoise habitat.

Approve a resolution with respect to authorizing a medium-term obligation of the city in the maximum amount of $7.5 million for the purpose of making a loan to the city's land fund from the city's sewer enterprise fund.

Approve a petition to vacate a public utility easement and drainage easement.