City briefs

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999 | 9:50 a.m.

Spending

Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

To Wells Cargo Inc. for construction of storm drainage facilities as part of the upper Washington Avenue conveyance system.

To Dell Marketing L.P. to purchase computers, laptops and servers through Sept. 3, 2000

For construction of Fire Station 41 at Buffalo Drive and Wittig Avenue.

For agreement with the Las Vegas Valley Water District to provide water service for the building at Buffalo Drive and Wittig Avenue planned for Fire Station 41.

To four suppliers for annual contract requirements for CPVC pipe, fittings, valves and glue for projects at the Water Pollution Control Facility.

Liquor, child-care zoning proposed

Bills related to zoning for liquor establishments and child-care group homes were introduced Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Council.

The liquor bill, sponsored by Councilman Gary Reese, eliminates the ability to obtain a waiver of the 400-foot separation distance requirements.

The city's zoning code requires that establishments licensed to sell packaged liquor be located more than 400 feet from churches, schools, parks and certain child-care facilities. The same zoning code, however, allows the council to waive that requirement.

The other bill, sponsored by Councilman Larry Brown, would allow child-care group homes in areas zoned for single-family compact uses by means of a special-use permit. The bill would also allow child-care group homes in areas zoned for residential planned development.

Both bills will now be forwarded to the Recommending Committee, which will hold public hearings on the bills at its Nov. 15 meeting. The bills must come back to the full council for a vote before they take effect.

Armory site needs soil remediation

The site of the former National Guard Armory will receive some needed soil remediation to spark redevelopment planned for the area.

A small business incubator and senior center is planned for the site at Eastern and Stewart avenues.

On Wednesday the City Council -- acting as the Redevelopment Agency -- authorized $40,000 for soil cleanup. The funding comes from the Brownfields Revolving Loan Found.

Kleinfelder Inc. conducted testing at the site and determined that about 600 cubic yards of soil is contaminated with hydraulic fuel, waste oil and diesel fuel.

Council approves zone changes for downtown

Downtown Las Vegas got a needed zoning change Wednesday to support revitalization efforts aimed at creating an arts district.

The City Council unanimously approved the so-called live-work ordinance that allows certain types of residential and mixed-use development in the downtown's redevelopment area. Such zoning will now be allowed by means of a special-use permit.

The ordinance would allow alternate forms of urban housing such as artists' lofts, courtyard condominiums and townhouses. The ground floor of such buildings would have retail and commercial uses, with residential living on upper floors.

Mayor Oscar Goodman sponsored the ordinance after viewing successful mixed-use districts in downtown San Diego and San Francisco.

Plan approved for downtown structure

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved a site-plan review for a 12-story office building planned for downtown.

The 97,235-square-foot office and retail building will be located on less than 1 acre at Clark Avenue and Fourth Street. The first seven stories will be a 345-space parking garage.

Plans by developer Clark Street Associates Inc. call for both retail and restaurant uses on the first floor. The top five floors will be office space.

The site plan was approved unanimously, with Mayor Oscar Goodman abstaining from the vote due to his ownership of land nearby at Casino Center Boulevard and Bonneville Avenue.