City's new planning commissioner is an attorney by day

Keen Ellsworth says his background in law will be helpful

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The city of Las Vegas Planning Commission has a new member.

At the City Council meeting on Oct. 15, Ward 6 councilman Steve Ross appointed Keen Ellsworth to the northwest ward's commissioner seat, vacated by the resignation of Sam Dunnam.

Dunnam accepted a position with Poggemeyer Design Group that "creates a conflict of interest," according to his letter of resignation.

"I want to express appreciation for Mr. Dunnam for the sacrifices he made for the city and for Ward 6. He was quite dedicated," Ross said. "(Ellsworth) lives in Ward 6, he's been a part of one of the more outspoken homeowners groups throughout the city, and he is a dedicated and devoted member of our community."

At the council meeting, Ross and Mayor Oscar Goodman joked with Ellsworth -- at least, he hopes they were joking -- about the number of hours he'd be spending as planning commissioner, a position that pays just $80 for every meeting attended.

"I hope your wife knows what you're getting her into," Ross said.

"Your husband will probably be working about 40 hours a week, which is why he's getting the big bucks," Goodman told Ellsworth's wife, Sunny.

Speaking days after his official appointment, Ellsworth said he's ready for the challenge of balancing his new duties with his career as an attorney and his family. The couple has seven children.

"I don't think it'll be 40 hours," he said with a laugh. "But I have to juggle a lot, and I'm used to doing that. I've always taken great measures to make time for my family and myself."

Originally from Arizona, Ellsworth, who practices business and corporate law and litigation, moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1993 to be closer to family and friends.

"I grew up in a rural community, and when we got here, this area was rural still. It felt comfortable," he said of the northwest valley.

Ellsworth said Ross, who lives in the same area, asked if he'd be interested in a position with the commission months ago.

"I knew it was a big job, and I told him, 'Let me think about it.' I had conversations with my wife, and really, it's a great privilege and an opportunity to make a difference in the community. I want to do this because I live in the northwest and I want to maintain our environment. It's an interesting mix of family residential and commercial and rural, and I understand what's out there and I look forward to helping maintain what we have."

The Planning Commission is advisory to the City Council on matters related to zoning and other related issues, and serves as a final action board for tentative and final subdivision maps.

With his background in law, Ellsworth said he'll be comfortable reviewing applications and comparing proposed uses to the established master plan in the northwest.

"I'm very familiar with the application process and some of the odd language, and I think legal training gives some great advantages," he said. "It gives me more comfort. All it really means is the learning curve might be a little easier for me, not as steep as it might be. But once you're in there, you have to learn it quickly, so it's not a huge advantage."

Contact Centennial View reporter Brock Radke at bradke@viewnews.com or 383-4629.