Henderson rejects commercial rezoning request again

Greg Harman

Friday, July 14, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

A plan to pack a 3.8-acre parcel off Eastern Avenue near McDonald Ranch with twin 10,000-square-foot retail centers has endured rejection and criticism since its inception in 1998.

It's been denied by the Henderson Planning Commission and City Council in slightly varied forms.

Again, on Thursday night, potentially affected residents appeared before the Planning Commission and derided the developer as unresponsive to the neighborhood's needs. Commissioners also voiced their displeasure with the project, denying a requested zone change, change in land use and conditional use permit for the collection of property owners applying under the name Spalla Family Trust.

"It seems like every meeting we get to look at this. I'm getting as frustrated as some of the homeowners," Commissioner Danny Sanders said. "They're just trying to put too many uses on the ground."

Commissioner Dan Shaw agreed.

"It looks like 10 pounds in a 5-five pound bag," he said.

The applicants gathered in frustration following the decision.

"We're allowed 35 feet, and we're down to 20 feet, and they're still complaining, these people," said Sal DiModica, a co-owner in the parcel.

While nearby residents complained of bright lights and traffic noise associated with the proposed development, their core complaints dealt with what they called the developer's unwillingness to compromise.

"They want you to think they're working with us and trying to help us," Kathy Domenico told the commissioners. "But it's all been an illusion."

One homeowner suggested he would oppose any commercial development on the land formerly zoned residential.

"Any commercial use is an infringement on our expectations and our quality of life," David Walters said.

Commissioner Guy Van Wyck said he opposed the project for the lack of a well-defined business plan.

"I feel like we are getting involved in speculative zoning, that's why I'm opposed to it," he said.

Only Chairman George Bochanis and newcomer Edward Bunker, who served his first meeting Thursday night after being appointed by Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson earlier this week, opposed the string of denials.