Residents rap development plan

Valerie Miller

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 10:52 a.m.

The message rang loud and clear at Wednesday night's Citizens' Advisory Committee meeting in Henderson: residents are not ready to accept industrial development next door to their homes.

Of the 250 people packing the Henderson Convention Center, most were residents of the Calico Ridge, Two Crows and Calico Cove subdivisions on the south side of Henderson between Lake Mead Drive and Olsen Street.

Cheers, jeers, and occasional rude comments resulted in numerous calls for order.

Proposed development of 20 acres of industrial land, which could sit as close as 20 feet from some homes, caused the most outbursts.

Residents contend that even though the land was zoned industrial prior to the development of Calico Ridge in the early 1980s, the city of Henderson still has an obligation do what's in the best interest of area residents by preventing development that could bring in noise, pollution, and traffic. Residents say the development would decrease their property values and destroy their view of the Las Vegas Strip.

"The way the tax structure is, some of us pay $2,000 a year in (property) taxes, since we are assessed extra taxes if we have a scenic view," said resident Jim Adams. "All we get for this is something like this (industrial development) shoved down our throats, and nothing that we do want, like a park."

Some members of the CAC expressed frustration in the seemingly futile attempt to bring residents and developers together to negotiate at the meeting.

"They (Calico Ridge) residents didn't want to live in the main part of the city (of Henderson), but now they want its benefits and want it to buy out developers," said CAC member Caron Richardson to a loud round of boos from residents angered by her comments.

Another CAC member, Vice Chairman Dean Walker, echoed her sentiments. "Somebody would have to buy the developers out, and who's going to pay for this?" he asked.

The developer of the 20-acre parcel being discussed, Eagle Rock, hopes to work out a compromise where the residents can keep industrial use off the property, said John Marchiano, who represents the developer.

"I agree that this is an untenable situation for residents," he said. "I just want to see my client be justly compensated for the land," he said, referring to Eagle Rocks' offer to sell the land to Calico Ridge residents and the city to be developed as a park. The Calico Ridge Homeowners Association has voted to reject the offer, claiming that the asking price for the property is close to double the cost of the land when it was closed 30 days ago.

CAC Chairman set up another meeting on Sept. 9, in hopes of bringing both sides together for a compromise before the committee's report is due to be heard before the Henderson City Council in December.

The Calico Ridge and surrounding areas include close to 700 home owners.