Planners reject larger apartment complexes

Valerie Miller

Monday, April 3, 2000 | 10:46 a.m.

Now that the Henderson Planning Commission has rejected an increase in the number of units in an apartment complex proposed for a congested area of Horizon Ridge Parkway, the developing company will try its luck with the City Council.

As about a dozen residents turned out against increasing the density of the proposed apartment complex at Horizon Ridge Parkway and Carnegie Street, the Planning Commission on Thursday voted against the request to raise the number of apartments per acre from 14 to 16.

The Willmark Co., applying for the project as Horizon Ridge Inc., requested the increase from 340 to 388 units on 24.3 acres in exchange for raising the quality of the apartments. Instead commissioners required the company to keep its plans for producing a higher quality development but without the added units.

"What makes you think that you have any validity coming back to us now and requesting an increase of 48 units just because you've made the project look a little better?" Commissioner JoAnn Huffaker said.

The Planning Commission had voted against the project originally in May 1998 when the company first requested 16 units per acre. The Henderson City Council in June 1998 approved the project, but limited its size to 14 units per acre.

"I remember this project vividly and voting against it," Commission Chairman George Bochanis said. "If it came before us again, we'd vote again to deny it."

Attorney Bob Gronauer, who represented Willmark Development, said the added units would have little impact on the area and would allow the developer to build a higher quality project.

"The impact on traffic is minimal and the impact on schools is minimal," Gronauer said. "We had hoped by increasing the number of units to offset the cost of putting on a better project that otherwise would be cost prohibitive.'

Gronhauer was unsure whether the request would change before it goes to the City Council on April 18.

Residents in attendance agreed with planners.

Valerie Miller is a reporter for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2319 or by e-mail at valerie@lasvegassun.com.