North Las Vegas Planning Commission

The North Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, Planning Commission and City Council each serve an individual purpose in city government, but all of the red tape and legal jargon surrounding these meetings and the procedures that accompany them can be confusing.

All of the boards meet in the council chambers at City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive. For information on any of the meetings, call the city clerk's office at 633-1030.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The North Las Vegas Planning Commission is an appointed board of six community members whose purpose is to deliberate on land use, planning and zoning items, ordinances and variance requests.

Planning commissioners are appointed by members of City Council and by the mayor. The board meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in council chambers at City Hall.

"Something like a tavern or a gas station property will always come before us," Commissioner Jo Cato said. "There are quite a few scenarios that could come before us. Most are applications for things that are being built or that people hope we will approve plans for so that it can be built."

Cato said she usually meets with applicants before the meeting to really understand the project and see the proposed location for herself.

"I can make a more clear and informed decision that way," she said.

While she encourages residents to attend meetings and express ideas or concerns before the commission, Cato said she is more than willing to respond to resident e-mails and phone calls.

"If you have a question, please feel free to call me," she said. "I am happy to respond or even meet with them. We want to make the application process as stress-free as possible."

Issues that may impact the community or residents personally may merit an in-person appeal, Cato said.

"If there's a real concern and you want to come talk with us as a commission, please do so," she said.

Cato also recommended that residents who plan to speak on specific agenda items might save time and effort by calling staff ahead of time to make sure that the item hasn't been continued to another meeting.

"And sometimes project plans change or a developer will hold a neighborhood meeting to address concerns," Cato said. "Not all residents always know about those things. But we can help keep you in the loop."

CITY COUNCIL

The North Las Vegas City Council is the legislative, policymaking body of the city, holding final consideration over items such as restricted gaming, taverns, special-use permits, payday loans, pawn shops, hotels and schools, to name a few.

City Council members are elected by constituents in each of the four wards every four years. Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive.

According to Mayor Pro Tem William Robinson, the council is the place where the buck stops.

"I guess you can say a lot of things, but the bottom line is that we're the final say, we're the responsible body, and when there are issues in the city, it is our job to see to those issues," Robinson said.

THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Redevelopment Agency is a separate board from the City Council, although the members are the same.

"Really, it's the council serving in another capacity," Robinson said. "The members of the council deliberate on land-use applications in the redevelopment areas of North 5th Street and downtown."

The agency oversees property improvements and building in redevelopment zones with properties such as the Las Flores Shopping Center, Broadacres Swap Meet and Jerry's Nugget.

Amanda Llewellyn/View