Commission approves Coyote plan

Launce Rake

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 9:21 a.m.

A proposed 42,000-acre development 50 miles north of Las Vegas moved a step closer to reality Wednesday.

The Clark County Commission approved a "neighborhood plan" for Coyote Springs, straddling the Clark County-Lincoln County line. The approval affects about 13,000 acres in Clark County.

"This is the first step in the major-project approval process," land-use consultant Greg Borgel said. The process will take months or even years, and the County Commission could still halt the project.

Borgel said the developer could have a full land-use plan ready for review by the end of this year.

Coyote Springs Investments must get approval of a plan to limit the project's environmental impact and of water rights to serve the 50,000 people the company hopes will one day live in the development.

Environmentalists have said they fear the project could harm rare species of plants and animals in the area. A local water agency also is competing for water from the site.

Robert Derck, Coyote Springs Investments' general manager, said the company is negotiating with the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which claims some of the same water as the developer, and State Engineer Hugh Ricci, who must decide who gets the water.

"It is being resolved," Derck said.

The company is headed by influential Nevada lobbyist Harvey Whittemore, who has represented casino interests in Carson City.

The plan presented Wednesday calls for a mix of residential uses, including vacation homes and ranches, commercial property and recreational space.

Derck and Borgel said some development of the area can already go forward. The company has already secured rights to about 6,000 acre-feet of water per year -- about the same amount needed for 6,000 homes -- and has received a county go-ahead for two golf courses at the project.

While development of the overall project could take years, work on the golf courses could occur much faster, Borgel said.

"Dirt could fly quickly there," he said.

Construction of the golf courses, and possibly some homes, could begin in a year to 18 months, he said."