Titus criticizes Apex proposal

Friday, June 28, 2002 | 11:19 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus has criticized a proposal to locate a planned residential community at Apex, "home of hazardous industry."

Titus, D-Las Vegas, said today Clark County officials would be permitting the development in the "heart of a dangerous industrial zone." She said the officialsshould remember their speeches when they came before the Legislature to talk about segregating the Apex area for industrial development.

Her comments came at a meeting of the Legislative Commission's subcommittee on industrial explosions that was taking testimony on the explosion of AeroTech Inc. in October 2001 that killed one man and injured four others.

Mark Savit, an attorney for AeroTech, told the committee the company had been working with Clark County before the explosion to move to a less populated area. He said the county was cooperative.

But after the blast, he said, the county served notice it would not grant any permits to locate anywhere.

Titus asked if AeroTech had considered Apex as a location and Savit replied it had. But now, he said, the rocket propellant operation is being moved out of state. He said the assembly plant would remain in Las Vegas.

Titus asked Clark County Zoning Administrator Chuck Pulsipher if it was appropriate to build a housing division in the Apex area. Pulsipher replied he did not think it was right and he expected his staff to recommend denial.

"I hope the county officials listen to this advice," Titus said.

Pulsipher said he expected the County Commission "would pay attention to us."

Pulsipher and Dan Musgrove, governmental representative for Clark County, said the zoning for AeroTech at 1955 S. Palm St. in southeastern Las Vegas was appropriate.

Musgrove said it (zoning) "was appropriate and to this day is appropriate"

There has been concern about the growth of residential neighborhoods in the area.

Savit said AeroTech had secured all of the necessary permits and was subject to various inspections.

"We were not trying to hide anything," he said.

Suits are still pending in the case.