County zoning briefs for August 3, 2000

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000 | 11:21 a.m.

New tenant OK'd for former church

Proposed recording and computer animation studios at Desert Inn and Mojave roads got a green light from Clark County commissioners on Wednesday.

The zoning approval came about five weeks after the commissioners voted to deny the application to convert the former Central Christian Church to the studios.

The approval also rejected recommendations from county staff, the Paradise Town Board and the Clark County Planning Commission to deny the application. The primary concern was that the commercial use was too intense for a mostly residential neighborhood.

Neighbors from the residential community surrounding the former church were divided on the issue. Petitions came from both those opposed and in support of the proposal.

Garry Hayes, a land-use attorney representing opponents of the project, argued that other religious groups would happily move into the now-vacant church.

Tim Ayala, representing the new owner, Michael Eckert, said the studios would be a less intense use than a new church. The studios would generally draw only a couple of dozen people, while a church would bring hundreds, he said.

The proposal passed 3-1, with Yvonne Atkinson Gates the lone no vote.

Apartment complex receives approval

Clark County commissioners approved a 584-unit apartment complex in the Enterprise area on Wednesday over the objections of county staff, the Enterprise Town Board and the Clark County Planning Commission.

The project's critics had said the zone change to multiple-family residential didn't conform to the area's master plan and would create an overload of apartments in the southwest area of the valley.

Applicant American West Homes plans the apartments on 33 acres at Pollack Drive and Levi Avenue.

The proposed apartments passed 4-0.