Planners OK trash-bag plant

Jeffrey Libby

Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 | 10:34 a.m.

A Texas-based trash bag manufacturer received approval Thursday to build a 380,000-square-foot plant in southeast Henderson that could eventually bring 500 jobs to the city. It would be the largest manufacturing plant built in the Las Vegas Valley in the past decade.

The Henderson Planning Commission granted a height variance for Poly West despite hearing testimony from area residents about three fires a decade ago at the parent company's Texas plant. Residents and union officials also voiced concerns about labor issues and noise from delivery trucks and rail cars.

"What we deal with is land issues," Dale Lay, Planning Commission chairman, told a union representative who was attempting to cast doubt on the credibility of Poly West.

By a 5-1 vote, the commission approved a height variance to allow 32 75-foot storage silos. The industrial park master plan has 50 feet as the maximum.

Poly West vice president of manufacturing George Hall said the company will excavate about 60,000 cubic yards of dirt, reducing the "apparent" height of the silos to about 50 feet. He also increased landscaping in plans to screen much of the plant from view of residents. But deliveries by truck and rail will take place on a 24-hour basis.

Henderson Deputy Fire Marshal Fulton Cochran said potential fire hazards at the plastics plant could be "easily addressed."

Also Thursday, the Planning Commission voted 4-1 to deny a proposed 946-unit residential and commercial development on 632 acres in the southwest foothills.

Commissioner Guy Van Wyck cast the dissenting vote, saying that the project met requirements of the hillside ordinance despite packing 762 apartment units on 48 acres. Commission chairman Dale Lay and Commissioner Danny Sanders abstained.

Commissioners JoAnn Huffaker and George Bochanis disagreed, arguing that building 16 dwelling units per acre along 48 acres could create aesthetic and traffic nightmares.

Bunker expressed concern over developer Rich MacDonald's plan to obtain zoning for the development, but then turn over responsibility of construction to independent homebuilders.

Ray and Nicole Savage, one of about 100 residents attending from nearby Sun City MacDonald Ranch, embraced with a kiss after the vote denying the project.

"It'll just be good to have peace and quiet. I don't know how long it will last," Ray Savage said.