Horizon Ridge residents fight development

Greg Harman

Tuesday, May 2, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

Some Henderson residents along Horizon Ridge Parkway are fighting a proposed commercial development on 3.8 acres that would increase traffic in a mainly residential neighborhood.

"Specifically, we bought our home because it's a quiet community," Jenny Barbian told the Henderson Planning Commission last week. "I want our child to have that too."

More than a dozen residents objected to the proposal -- a version of which was originally rejected by the Planning Commission in 1998 -- on grounds that it would generate increased traffic.

Traffic congestion along Horizon prompted Henderson's Public Works Department earlier this year to suggest widening the 100-foot road by 20 feet, said David Norris, land planner for Henderson community development.

"They felt that it would work better," Norris said.

But residents' opposition led to the scrapping of the road project -- and now that's helping to keep other developments in check.

Joseph Prestipino revised his 1998 application for the land near Horizon and Eastern Avenue by changing the proposed gas station into a possible bank or restaurant. But the revised application was rejected by the Henderson City Council on March 7.

"I live there. I travel it every day. It's hard enough to get out on Horizon Ridge already," Ken Twitty complained to commissioners. "To put a commercial dwelling there, which would add I don't know how many businesses ... I don't think we need any more gas stations."

"We will have their lights and their noise right in our bedrooms," Cheri Norton, president of Terra Bella Estates Homeowners Association, told the commissioners.

John Marchiano, speaking on behalf of the applicant, didn't see the proposed development as harming the quality of life along Horizon.

"I wish I could say something to alleviate the concerns of these people," he said. "When the construction is done in these areas, it's going to be a wonderful place to live."

But the Planning Commission followed its staff's recommendation to approve the request.

"What seemed like a bad idea to us two years ago has continued" to be a bad idea, Commissioner JoAnn Huffaker surmised.

Only Commissioner Guy Van Wyck dissented.

The request is expected to be appealed to the Henderson City Council.

Greg Harman covers Henderson and Boulder City for the Sun. He can be reached at (702) 259-8814 or by e-mail at harman@lasvegassun.com