Residents express objections to plan

Angela Soo

Thursday, June 21, 2001 | 11:27 a.m.

Neighbors of a 16-acre vacant parcel at Ann Road and Allen Lane showed up in force at the North Las Vegas City Council meeting Wednesday to voice concerns about proposed commercial development on the site.

Dozens of people objected to a plan by Specialty Holdings to change the zoning to neighborhood commercial, which already had been denied by the Planning Commission.

"We don't need any more stores," Deanna Crostic, who lives near the vacant lot, said.

In the face of the opposition, Specialty Holdings decided to withdraw its appeal, Tom Skancke, a representative of the developer, said.

Last-minute, anonymous fliers distributed in the neighborhood and at the meeting, insinuated that the council members had a private agenda in the matter.

"The developers ... think they are going to get special treatment for you, the City Council Members. Why else would they circumvent the Planning Commission?" it said.

Mayor Michael Montandon said more research is needed.

"Sometimes it takes land-use issues to get people passionate ... and to give them an opportunity to get involved," Montandon said.