Residents challenge Pardee single-family homes

Debate comes on heels of contention over Eldorado apartment complex

The North Las Vegas Planning Commission on March 12 addressed a light roster of new business that seemed a bit like old business, as an application by Pardee Homes of Nevada topped the list.

The developer's request for a variance to the required 15-foot setback to as much as a 10-foot setback in the rear yards of 71 homes in a proposed 145-home development to be built south of Ann Road was a fitting sequel to Pardee's meeting with residents of its Eldorado master plan just two days before. During that heated March 10 gathering in the Dallas Room of Texas Station, residents of the established neighborhood and Pardee Homes representatives met to discuss the history and current direction of Eldorado Apartments, a multifamily complex to be constructed on the northwest corner of Revere Street and Centennial Parkway.

On the heels of that contentious debate where homeowners voiced concerns about infrastructure and home values, Pardee's plans to develop 145 new single-family homes was not met with much enthusiasm.

The same could be said for the variance request. Though proceedings were not a repeat of the heat of the Texas Station meeting, city staff was not in support of the developer's application.

Commissioner Jo Cato asked whether Pardee Homes presented the application for the variance as the "lesser of two evils" as Pardee's representative, attorney Jennifer Lazovich, explained that allowing the reduction in rear yard space for the single-family home development would prevent the construction of additional apartment housing.

"If this application is not approved tonight," Cato queried, "then we're looking at -- this is already zoned as R-3 for apartments -- so we're looking at apartment versus single-family homes with variances for the backyard?"

"Candidly, yes," Lazovich said. "That's the option they'd go to next."

Commissioner Jay Aston followed up, saying he lives in the neighborhood. "I understand the concern in allowing the variance of the rear yard setbacks. Personally, I'd rather see residential homes in there. And this is already hard-zoned."

Commissioner Ned Thomas said there usually is some benefit to the city or the residents of a community when allowing developers to make such variances. Lazovich replied that the benefit is in the construction of eight units to an acre -- as proposed by Pardee in developing the single-family homes with reduced setbacks -- as opposed to the 25 units to an acre for which the parcel is zoned.

"Having been the person who led the neighborhood meeting," Lazovich said, "the room was packed with residents who were adamantly opposed to the apartments being developed north of Centennial. I truly, truly believe the advantage -- not only to residents of Eldorado, but the residents south of Hammer -- is the benefit they get from having single-family homes next to them. It's a far less intense project."

Richard Cherchio, president of the North Las Vegas Alliance of Homeowners Associations and Concerned Citizens, asked that the application be denied.

"What I think we need to do as a city here, and I wouldn't say draw a line in the sand," Cherchio said, "but I think we need to put the quality of life of our residents first and foremost, as we normally always do here, trying to balance the need for development."

The application was approved with commissioners Thomas and Dilip Trivedi voting against approval. Pardee Homes' 145-unit single-home development will feature homes of up to 1,875 square feet with a price point of below $200,000, according to Lazovich.

Further business included an application by property owner Eliel Lopezor a special use permit to approve a pre-existing garage conversion. Lopez's daughter translated as the homeowner of 3609 Broadway Ave. requested the conversion -- which was in place when he purchased the home -- be allowed.

The application was approved with a reminder by Aston that inspectors might request that additional concrete be poured in the area of the driveway.

RECLASSIFICATION OF BUSINESS DISTRICT APPROVED

An application submitted by Chris Hickey and Glen Hickey on behalf of Hickey Family Trust was approved for a reclassification of property from an M-1 business park industrial district to an M-2 general district.

The reclassification would allow eight half-acre parcels to become four one-acre parcels suited for warehouse property development at 3811-3842 Development Court.

NORTH LAS VEGAS GAINS AN AUCTION HOUSE

North Las Vegas will soon see a luxury-brand auction house at 2580 W. Brooks Ave., within the Cheyenne West Park commercial center, as the commission improved an application presented by Metropolitan Auction Co. on behalf of Night Oak LLC.

NEVADA PARTNERS EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES WITH DISTRICT

Nevada Partners Inc. had cause for celebration as a reclassification of its property from a C-1 neighborhood commercial district to a PUD, planned unit development district, consisting of a youth and adult vocational education facility with numerous commercial enterprises, was approved.

The application was submitted by state Sen. Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, and its approval makes it possible for the facility to include "on-sale" liquor uses as a feature of the facility's Culinary Training Academy dining and training services.

The academy offers a restaurant component to the public, currently open for breakfast and lunch.

"On-sales" capability will provide patrons with the option of having a glass of wine with their lunch, and/or dinner as the hours expand.

The application included consideration for a child care facility for students and faculty.

Verlia Davis Hoggard, a 40-year resident of North Las Vegas and former director of the county welfare department, was there to support the application.

"I'm here to support Sen. Horsford's application," Hoggard said outside council chambers before the meeting began. The retired social worker said she was in support of any measure that would result in affordable child care for working people in the valley.

Lazovich also represented Nevada Partners Inc. in its application. As it was approved, the young attorney smiled for the one of the first times all evening.