Spring Valley casino opponents file appeal

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

The fight to stop a proposed Spring Valley casino, which received a controversial zoning approval from county commissioners last week, continues.

Ron Madsen, who lives near the proposed development and is working as a pro-bono attorney for Spring Valley residents opposed to the casino, on Wednesday served formal appeal notices to state officials and representatives for Triple Five Nevada Development Corp., the company trying to build the venue and accompanying commercial mall at West Flamingo Road and Grand Canyon Drive.

Although the county commissioners approved the zoning change to allow the casino, 1997's Senate Bill 208 provides an appeal process that could derail the project. The law was designed to limit the spread of "neighborhood" casinos0 and gives the long-moribund Gaming Policy Committee power to approve or deny applications.

Madsen, however, said the issue actually will go to a subcommittee of the full committee, which hasn't met in years.

Under the law, a review panel made up of Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval, state Gaming Control Board Chairman Steve DeCharme, two people appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn and a representative of the Indian Tribal Council would make the final determination on whether the casino would go forward, Madsen said. Guinn would serve as chairman of the review panel but would have no vote.

Madsen guessed the question should be decided in a month or two.

Triple Five's zoning request was approved by a 3-1 vote Jan. 19. Commissioner Dario Herrera voted against the request, citing the need to protect neighborhoods -- such as the unincorporated township of Spring Valley in southwestern Las Vegas -- from encroachment from casinos.

Commissioners Mary Kincaid, Erin Kenny and Lance Malone, who said he was forced to go back on his word to support the zoning change, voted for the casino.