LV City Council set to hear several controversial issues

Erin Neff

Monday, Feb. 8, 1999 | 10:32 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council is expected to get an earful from protesting residents on a number of issues today.

Three items -- scheduled for 4 p.m., 4:30 and 5 -- on the agenda carry with them the baggage of petitions, constituent calls to council members and controversy.

The meeting is scheduled to be broadcast live on Cox Cable Channel 4.

The first item, a request to amend the city's general plan to allow for a 167-unit townhome complex, has received 278 protests.

Saxton Inc. is requesting an amendment from low-density residential and light industrial/research to residential planned development of seven housing units per acre.

When the Planning Commission heard the request, 55 people lodged protests. As a result of the concerns, the commission was unable to reach the required super-majority of a 4-1 vote, and the item was forwarded to the council without a recommendation.

The request is the third attempt to change the zoning at the northeast corner of Michael Way and Madre Mesa Drive. The city's staff is recommending the council deny the request because of the effect on the neighborhood.

The 4:30 p.m. hearing involves a request to amend the general plan to allow a clinic for mothers with small children to be built at Smoke Ranch Road and Michael Way -- presently a medium-low density residential neighborhood.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the change, and the city's staff is recommending the council also give it a thumbs up.

However, 172 people have lodged protests against the proposal by Zankan Trust and Madsen Family LLP on behalf of the Healthy Families Project. The protesters claim the project would not blend well with the existing neighborhood.

Perhaps the most volatile issue -- the controversy over planned 90-foot signs in a Town Center commercial development -- will be heard at 5 p.m.

Numerous residents protested the three planned signs in the Centennial Centre's 165-acre shopping complex during the Jan. 25 City Council meeting.