Residential plans worry Nellis brass

Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

Nellis Air Force Base is getting more than a little uncomfortable with development near its runways in the north Las Vegas Valley.

Nellis officials Wednesday appealed to the Clark County Commissioners to block a proposed housing development near Lake Mead Boulevard and Marion Drive. They are concerned that the planned 52-unit residential development -- and others like it -- are in the line of danger from aircraft at the base.

"It's still a place where aircraft mishaps can occur," said Richard Kolkoski, an attorney and land use adviser to the Air Force. He told the commissioners that aircraft have jettisoned fuel and cargo over the area, which is south of the base runways.

Stadium Lake Mead Partnership sought and received approval for a tentative map, or basic plan, allowing the 52 homes on about 10 acres near the intersection. Clark County counsel Rob Warhola told commissioners that they had no legal option -- the lawmakers had to approve the request.

The problem is that the area in question, like other tracts near the base, had zoning that would permit the residential construction. The zoning dates go back three decades. While the county might be able to rezone undeveloped land, the commission could not strip zoning rights in the middle of an application process, Warhola said.

Commissioners approved the tentative map 5-0, but they included a requirement that people who eventually move into the subdivision receive a warning they could have problems with things falling from the sky.

Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, who represents the district, said she believes more and more similar zoning requests will come to the county.

"This area really needs to be cleaned up and redeveloped," Kincaid-Chauncey said. "We are getting a lot of applications in that area. ... We really need to work with Nellis and find out what kind of development would be appropriate for this area."

Nellis already prohibits ordnance-carrying jets from flying south from the base. Air Force officials have expressed concern that the proposed North Hills residential development in Apex could affect northbound aircraft carrying bombs and other ordnance.

"It's not development that we're opposed to," Kolkoski said. "It's the high population density."

Col. Tom Smoot, support group commander, said the Air Force's concern is safety of its pilots and of residents below the aircraft.

"We want to be good community partners," he said.

The county commission directed planning staff to meet with Nellis officials to draft an approach to development near the base. Smoot and Kolkoski said they believe the planning and zoning issues can be worked out.