Local news briefs for December 6, 2000

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 | 10:33 a.m.

City Council rejects project

The Henderson City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposed "high-end" development on 10 acres of largely undeveloped desert abutting a residential neighborhood along Horizon Ridge Parkway.

Council members rejected the proposal without prejudice, however, encouraging Pelican Development to go back to the Henderson Planning Commission and work with neighboring property owners on alternative plans.

Narrow street access and a wash make development of the area off Horizon Ridge Parkway and Baja Lane expensive and difficult, council members said.

Several residents spoke against the project, which has been in the planning stages for more than a year. Resident John Wells submitted a petition signed by 70 residents opposed to the project.

Saying that the project "doesn't get more palatable with age," Wells complained that the Planning Commission had already denied the project more than once.

One neighbor spoke in favor of the project. He hoped to sell a one-acre parcel to the developer.

Council members, buoyed by a new representative for Pelican Development who said he would "do whatever it takes," asked for more definitive plans.

Changes in child care discussed

A proposal that outlines the revamping of the state's child welfare system was pitched Tuesday to the Clark County Commission, which appeared to be in support of the changes.

Under the proposal presented by Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, foster care and related services would be transferred from the state to Clark and Washoe counties.

Having local control over foster care is expected to expedite cases. Buckley said the average time a child spends in the child welfare system is 32 months.

"It's not good enough," Buckley said. "A child hopefully needs to be reunited with his family if it is willing to clean up its act or the child needs some permanence."

Enter free with cans of food

Will waive fee for food.

That's what officials at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are saying about next week. The $5-per-carload fee to enter the scenic loop viewing and hiking area will be waived for any carload that donates at least two cans of nonperishable food. The dates of the program are Dec. 10-16.

The food collected will be delivered to a local pantry for the homeless and needy. It will be handed out the week of Christmas. For any questions, call the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center at 363-1921.