Judge allows D.I. demolition work to continue

Monday, March 19, 2001 | 11:29 a.m.

A judge has denied several Desert Inn Estates homeowners' requests to stop further demolition work at the site of Steve Wynn's new casino megaresort at the Desert Inn Golf Course.

The 12 Desert Inn homeowners, who spurned Wynn's offer to buy out their homes for his project, accused his company, Valvino Lamore LLC, of violating the association's bylaws when he failed to obtain written approval for the demolition work from the association's architectural committee.

The homeowners said Valvino has acquired 42 of the 53 residential lots within Desert Inn Country Club Estates, and has demolished 12 homes to date.

Clark County District Court Judge Mark Denton did order Valvino on March 16 to "promptly restore the empty lots and adjoining common areas to a condition compatible with the surrounding landscape."

Denton, who visited the property on March 13, noted in his decision that "while it appears that demolition activities have, for the most part, been careful and methodical, the empty lots leave an impression of blight."

He said demolition activities must be "in line with governmental requirements and prior rulings of the court, and rubble from demolished homes must be promptly removed with as little disruption by dust and noise as is reasonably practicable."