Advisory council listens to more complaints over zoning

Valerie Miller

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

They say you can't please everyone, but the Citizens Advisory Committee seems to have trouble pleasing anybody.

Now that the controversial issue of industrial land in Calico Ridge has been sent to arbitration, another group of residents from the neighboring "Section Four" area are up in arms over the CAC's proposal to allow for a higher density development along Lake mead Drive on Henderson's northeast side.

About 40 people turned out for the meeting Wednesday night at the Henderson City Hall. Much like the previous CAC meeting on Nov. 4, most of those in attendance were from Section Four -- a community of custom homes on one-acre lots across Lake Mead Drive from Calico Ridge.

Unlike the outspoken, and often angry, Calico Ridge residents, though, the Section Four residents preferred to express their concerns in a more subdued manner.

"We want to be part of the process and not hindering it," Section Four Advisory Committee President David Collins told the CAC during the meeting.

Residents are mainly concerned about the possibility of the rezoning of a 600-foot frontage of land along Lake Mead Drive for a higher density residential development to allow four units per acre, which could likely result in tract homes. The land is currently zoned for 1-acre lots.

Tract homes in the area, residents maintained, would bring down their property values, increase traffic congestion, and destroy the tranquility of their neighborhood.

"If I had known that this (land) would be rezoned for a higher density residential I would have never bought my land here," Section Four resident William Pouffe said after the meeting.

"We spent a lot of time and money to be in a rural area because we wanted the openness and peace and quiet," he added. "This (rezoning) will change the whole area."

CAC Chairman Manny Gomez suggested that the question of the rezoning be discussed at the next CAC meeting on Dec. 2, to give the Section Four residents a chance to better understand the issues involved.

"I get the feeling that a lot of people (in Section Four) don't understand what we did (concerning the rezoning)," Gomez said.

The CAC, Gomez added, would also put off discussing any issues involving the 61 acres of land currently zoned for industrial use in the Calico Ridge, pending the recommendation of the city attorney's office.