Minus bar, Henderson eatery still in works

Kris Hill

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2000 | 10:50 a.m.

A plan to build a new restaurant and bar near a Henderson neighborhood may get the approval it needs, but it may have to lose the bar first.

Horizon Derby LLC had asked to build a family restaurant and bar called The Derby on Horizon Ridge Parkway east of Stephanie Street.

After hearing from residents who opposed the bar, the City Council told the company that it could continue working on the project if it made some changes, including eliminating the bar.

Plans for The Derby had been denied by the Planning Commission in October. The planners said the business did not seem compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and the site did not appear easily accessible.

Lisa Mayo of Land Design Professionals, developer of the site, told the council Horizon Derby would be willing to do away with the bar, but still wanted to be able to serve drinks in the restaurant.

"We don't want our children around a bar," Dan Wescott, spokesman for the Vista Grande Neighborhood Association, told the council. He and his neighbors are concerned about protecting their children from drunken drivers, he said. But the residents are opposed only to the bar, not the restaurant, he added.

Councilman Andy Hafen said that change would be acceptable.

"I would like to see this project salvaged," Hafen said.

He asked Horizon Derby to work with the owner of the adjacent property, which recently went on the market, to resolve the Planning Commission's concern on site access.

The council also approved several other resolutions, including one to give the go-ahead to a new tire store proposed on Lake Mead Drive west of Gibson Road whose applications had also been denied by the Planning Commission.

Residents near the site supported the tire store, because the owners plan to build a large sound wall between the store and neighborhood that will also drown out noise from Lake Mead Drive. The tire store owners also plan to put in extensive landscaping.

Also, the disposition and development agreement for the controversial Fountain Plaza redevelopment project was approved with little fanfare by the council.