Henderson planners reject senior complex

Greg Harman

Friday, Oct. 13, 2000 | 10:19 a.m.

Rejecting the advice of the Planning Department, the Henderson Planning Commission denied a zone change on land in the McCullough Hills Planning Area for a senior citizen apartment complex.

Representatives of G.C. Wallace Inc. sought approval to rezone the 9.3-acre parcel southwest of the intersection of Gibson Road and Las Palmas Entrada Avenue from public/semi-public to high-density residential for the 205-unit project.

But nearby property owners claimed the project would clog already congested traffic departing their Champion Village neighborhood and lower their property values.

"We the residents feel like we need to buy boats because we're being sold down the river," Champion Village resident Al Stilts said.

Another resident objected to locating affordable senior housing so close to her property, stating to commissioners: "Affordable housing next to a $200,000 home? That is ridiculous."

While rental costs at the proposed complex would range from $253 to $667 per month depending on the income of the applicant, that rent structure is mandated by the city in an attempt to provide for the city's less affluent seniors, city staff explained.

The Planning Department recommended approving the project since it would meet land-use criteria and code requirements and have "little or no effect" on adjacent uses.

The Planning Commission sided with the city staff over traffic studies that suggested the complex would offer only a "very minor" impact, but commissioners expressed concern about the appropriateness of putting a three-story building next to a residential area.

"I have a hard time supporting this," Commissioner Dan Shaw said. "I have a problem with a three-story in that neighborhood."

Shaw made the motion to deny the developer's request. Only Chairman George Bochanis voted against denial.