Council approves rural districts

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001 | 10:02 a.m.

After receiving phone calls for the past two weeks from Henderson residents adamant about preserving rural neighborhoods, the Henderson City Council on Tuesday voted to approve four such proposed districts largely intact.

The preservation districts will limit development to a maximum of two homes per acre, prohibit commercial development and require reduced street lighting and paving. In some areas only one home per acre will be allowed. Development of up to six homes per acre had been previously allowed.

Of 2,980 acres originally proposed for preservation, the council approved about 2,820 acres. A citizens advisory committee will be convened in the coming weeks to decide whether another 70 contested acres should remain in the preservation district.

"It's a major step forward," Paradise Hills resident Mark Grealis said. "Now at least we have boundaries. We know what's rural and what's not."

Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers has said the districts reflect the development that has already occurred in the four neighborhoods. Many residents have built large custom homes, some have horses and none is required to join a homeowners association.

The new rural protections go beyond those enacted by the state in 1999. And unlike the state laws, which expire in 2004, the Henderson regulations are permanent unless amended.

Three of the districts sit at the southeastern border of Henderson. A fourth district, Serene Country Estates, is southwest of Interstate 215 and St. Rose Parkway.

The council removed about 160 acres southeast of Ravenna Avenue and Racetrack Road at the request of Councilman Andy Hafen.

Hafen said much of the land is still owned by the Bureau of Land Management and out-of-state developers.

The council also adopted less restrictive language to allow homeowners or landowners to leave the district if they choose.

Former Henderson City Manager Bob Campbell has proposed three homes per acre on the 70 acres remaining for consideration.

The meetings of the advisory committee, once scheduled, will be held in public.