Planning commissioners delay vote on master plan

Lisa Snedeker

Thursday, April 29, 1999 | 12:36 p.m.

Land owners in North Las Vegas whose property is adjacent to open desert will have to wait two weeks to learn what land uses are planned for that space.

But what's two more weeks after 18 months?

That's how long planning commissioners have been working with the public, city staff and an outside consulting firm to come up with a master plan that will shape how the city grows.

Despite a request last week from the City Council asking the Planning Commission to expedite the final draft, planning commissioners Wednesday agreed unanimously to delay a vote on the adoption of the plan until May 12.

Some commissioners received the final draft Wednesday but the commission as a whole decided more time was needed to make sure all of the corrections had been made before sending it to the City Council for final approval. A workshop for the commissioners with city staff to review the plan has been scheduled for next Thursday.

With an estimated growth rate of almost 15 percent, development within the city created the need to revise the master plan, said Don Schmeiser, director of development services.

"The city is growing at a rate of six dwelling units a day, 365 days a year," Schmeiser said.

In addition to addressing land use, the plan also includes goals, policies and descriptions for transportation, municipal facilities, public utility improvements, housing, economic development and conservation.

One major change in the plan is the land-use map, Schmeiser said.

"There is no resemblance to the old map," he said, adding that while the amount of land reserved for industrial uses has not changed significantly, the amount of commercial uses was reduced substantially, as was the amount of high-density residential.

The original master plan was adopted in 1986 and was last updated five years ago, according to Schmeiser.

There were five public hearings and numerous workshops held to create the current 400-plus page document.

What was approved Wednesday was an amendment providing design standards and design guidelines for multi-family developments.

Frank Fiori, senior planner, said the section added to the city's zoning ordinance will provide for more consistent and higher quality developments.