Residents oppose Lake Las Vegas plans

Greg Harman

Monday, July 17, 2000 | 11:02 a.m.

Plans to erect a Ritz-Carlton lakeside hotel-casino and 259-unit condominium complex in one of the crown jewels of Henderson's planned communities, Lake Las Vegas, are drawing resistance from residents of the affluent resort community.

Betsy Gonzalez, an attorney for one disgruntled homeowner, said both projects violate rules laid down by property owners in their Community Covenants and Restrictions, known as CC&Rs.

"This was never to be used for residential development," Gonzalez said. CC&R rules have been changed illegally to allow for the developments, she alleged, without the approval of homeowners.

Innovative Resorts Communities' proposed condominiums, originally granted a 70-foot height waiver in 1996 because of the deep hole the project was to be nestled in on the lake's southern shore, are quickly wriggling their way out of the ground.

The Henderson Planning Commission recently passed a recommendation to its City Council that three of the four units be built from 8 feet above the height of the neighboring dam -- an increase of 40 feet -- elevated by thousands of truckloads of earth.

"Nobody knew at all they were planning to truck in 500,000 cubic feet of dirt," complained resident Dick Sullivan, as he scanned a mountain view that may soon be lost to the project. "All the way up to the year 2000, nobody knew anything."

"This system has been totally manipulated," agreed Mike Tobey, another resident opposed to the change.

Henderson city planner Dave Norris said the pad elevations were discussed with residents prior to last month's planning commission meeting that approved the project's changes, passing along a recommendation that the council approve them also.

But Sullivan insists the only reason the subject was broached in recent weeks was because of his repeated inquiries.

When the issue comes before the Henderson City Council Tuesday night, at least 57 residents who have signed a petition opposing the height increase are hoping their concerns, carried to city staff in letters dated May 24 and June 27, will be addressed.

Tom Dobron, president of Innovative Resort Communities, which is partnering with Lake Las Vegas on the condo project, could not be reached for comment.

And Lake Las Vegas officials, after requesting all questions from the Sun be presented in writing, also failed to respond to inquiries.

Sullivan and other residents insist they are not opposed to the development of Lake Las Vegas.

"It is certainly better than the hole here," resident Mike Barry said, peering into the barren landscape.

The group said they are primarily worried about preserving an open and fair process for Henderson property owners.

"If it doesn't work for us, it doesn't work for everybody," Sullivan said, and Henderson residents "lose (their) rights to a process we don't understand."

Innovative Resort's condo project, Mantova at Lake Las Vegas, and the Ritz-Carlton project are expected to be heard by the city council during the public hearing portion of the meeting Tuesday night.