Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Blue Diamond residents win developer concessions

Blue Diamond residents have eked a few concessions out of a developer intent on building a small subdivision on the steep hills overlooking the tiny hamlet at the south end of Red Rock Canyon.

It isn't their ideal solution, but it's one they can live with.

"Optimally, we'd rather see that property not be developed," said Katherine Peck, a neighborhood activist and spokeswoman for the group opposed to the project.

Although previously approved by the board, the zoning application was brought back Wednesday for reconsideration after an agreement was forged between Milo Hurst and his neighbors with the help of Commissioner Erin Kenny.

Under the agreement, Hurst can build 10 custom homes instead of the four allowed under previous zoning, provided he follow the development standards and meet the nine conditions read into the public record at Wednesday's county zoning meeting.

The board unanimously approved his application.

"We feel this met most of our concerns," Peck said. "It's the best we can come up with and basically Clark County is not giving away the farm."

Peck said the agreement should guarantee reasonable and sensitive development on the hill overlooking the town of about 500, but residents are still concerned about the water supply and safety issues.

Ultimately, Peck and other neighbors would rather see the Bureau of Land Management or a private environmental group buy the land for preservation.

"That's our intent if the owner is willing to sell," Peck said.

The property covers 7.96 acres of sloping, rocky land starting at the southern end of Minderbinder Court about 100 feet west of Cottonwood Drive.

The commission approved a zone change that allows Hurst to build four times as many homes as was allowed under the original zoning, after Hurst agreed to withdraw two waiver requests. One would have reduced the street width in the subdivision from 40 to 24 feet, and the other increased the street slope from 6 percent to 14 percent.

Hurst also agreed to meet all development standards, have a drainage study done and meet its recommendations, perform a design review and conduct a public hearing on it, build a debris fence, provide a turn-around at the terminus of the private street, and provide access to the water district site.

Commissioner Myrna Wil-liams, who voted against the original application, said she could support the current changes.

"There have been lots of changes since then," Williams said. "I have spoken to many friends who live in Blue Diamond, and their objections run to the density of the slopes. That appears to be no problem now with half-acre lots."

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