Proposed apartments face stiff opposition

Monday, May 13, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

Residents of southwest Las Vegas are protesting a proposed apartment complex next to their homes.

The protest is not a new practice for the residents, who successfully campaigned against a proposed Home Depot store at the same site -- the corner of Twain Avenue and Fort Apache Road -- three years ago.

The residents are concerned about noise, traffic and the effect that high-density residential development will have on their largely upscale subdivision.

"I think it would bring more traffic, and as it is the traffic is terrible," said Fran Quarantello, who would live about a block away from the proposed 268-unit apartment complex.

While residents in other parts of the valley have protested commercial projects, some neighbors of the proposal would like to see a drugstore instead of the apartments.

The 15 acres at the site are zoned and master-planned commercial. But the attorney representing Alan Molasky's Ovation Inc. said residents would likely find any commercial use more intense and disturbing than the proposed apartments.

"I always wonder when people say they'd rather have the commercial," attorney Tom Amick said, predicting that a commercial proposal would also generate community resistance.

The proposal three years ago included almost 800 parking spaces, while the proposal for apartments has about half that number, Amick said. The apartment complex also devotes about a third of the space to recreational common spaces.

The apartment complex also would be separated from the closest houses by a 60-foot road and appropriate landscaping, he said.

"This is a touchy piece and has been for some time, but we don't feel we're crazy on this one," Amick said.

Advisory voices to the Clark County Commission, which must approve the project, are split on the issue. According to Amick, the Planning Commission in April recommended the approval of the needed zoning. The Spring Valley Town Advisory Board, a citizens' group, recommended denial.

The county planning staff has recommended approval, Amick said. The issue is scheduled to go before the County Commission on May 22.