Commission denies zone changes for mixed-use project

Despite strong neighborhood support, the North Las Vegas Planning Commission voted Aug. 8 to deny zoning changes and master-plan amendments that would have allowed development of a mixed-use project at Lone Mountain Road and Decatur Boulevard.

Dayside Inc., proposed building a neighborhood commercial center and 50 patio homes on approximately 16-acres in the northwest part of the city. In their denial, commissioners said they liked the project, but were concerned that there was no way to ensure Dayside would develop the plan agreed to by the neighbors.

"I'm uncomfortable that we can't guarantee Dayside will live up to the agreement," said commissioner Anita Wood. "I want to protect the residents."

Wood said she was "dismayed" that Dayside did not submit an application for a planned unit development, which would allow the commission to oversee development on the site. The developer did in fact submit a PUD application, but open-space requirements delayed that application, said Dayside spokesman Robert Gronauer. "We couldn't meet all the PUD requirements and those requirements can't be waived," he said.

Dayside first proposed building 128 two-story condominiums along with a commercial center on the parcel earlier this year. Neighbors at the time were vehemently opposed to both the condominiums and the commercial development near their houses, and several spoke out against the project to the commission. Two of those who opposed that project, Mary Herdt and Robert Rogas, addressed the council in favor of the new plan that was developed with the neighbors' input.

"(Dayside representative Bob Sharp) bent over backwards to meet all our concerns," said Herdt. "He worked really hard to create a plan we liked."

Herdt said that after the first commission meeting, where she and her neighbors "tarred and feathered" Sharp, she told her neighbors that commercial development on the corner was inevitable and that if they didn't compromise, they would lose the chance to influence the nature of that development. "What is better -- dirt or a building that will enhance our property values?" she said. "I told them, 'Be reasonable or we'll get condos.' "

After the meeting, Herdt said she was glad the commission had voted down the requests. "I think the board is trying to protect us," she said. "I'm glad they're trying to protect us.

"I think they (Dayside) will do what they say," Rogas added.

Sharp said Dayside will withdraw the PUD application, which he thinks contributed to the company's defeat, and appeal the decision to city council. "When you do what is expected of you as a developer, its disappointing," he said about losing his applications. "Neighborhood support will help us carry our cause..." at city council.

In other business, the commission voted to:

• Approve a request from KB Home to rezone 19.84 acres at Bruce Street and Washburn Road to single-family residential. A related request from KB Home to divide the parcel into 88 lots was continued until Sept. 26.

• Allow construction of a church facility on approximately 14-acres at El Campo Grande Avenue and Coleman Street. The project submitted by St. John Nuemann Catholic Church will be 79,745 square-feet when finished.

• Approve an application submitted by Prologis Trust for a tentative map review in a M-2 General Industrial District for a property at Pecos and Alexander roads.