Red Rock developers scrap project for now

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.

Developers have scrapped -- at least for now -- a controversial project to put as many as 8,400 homes on top of a mountain adjacent to the Red Rock National Conservation Area.

Marta Brown, Clark County assistant manager for major projects, said the company withdrew the project from consideration Monday night "without prejudice."

That means that the same or similar development proposal could go back before the county for evaluation. The evaluation done by county staff on the John Laing proposal recommended denial of the land-use approval based on environmental concerns and the stress the projected population would put on municipal services in the largely undeveloped area.

John Laing Homes signed a memorandum of agreement about a year ago with James Hardie Gypsum, the company that owns and mines about 3,000 acres on top of the mountain. The developer would have paid James Hardie $50 million if the project won regulatory approval -- principally from Clark County, which would have to approve the residential development.

Paul Kenner, John Laing vice president, confirmed that the company has withdrawn the project but declined further comment. He said the company is preparing a lengthier statement on the issue.

Other companies are likely to be interested in developing the gypsum mines on top of the mountain.

Laing's move comes as a victory for opponents to the project on top of Blue Diamond Hill, who had gathered more than 4,000 signatures against the project.

"A lot of developers are looking at purchasing the community," Tanya Rosenthal, marketing manager for Rhodes Homes, said. "It's a bidding war."

Evan Blythin, chairman of the Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council, said he is pleased with the withdrawal -- but expects other proposals for development will surface.

The advisory council by a 5-0 vote recommended denial of the project. Its recommendation would go to the Clark County Planning Commission and ultimately to the Clark County Commission, which would make the final determination on the project.

Several county commissioners, notably Chairman Dario Herrera, have said they were likely to vote against the project.

Blythin said he believes the fight over proposed development could happen again unless federal authorities are able to find a way to preserve the land, which is mostly mined out.

"If somebody else comes in, we'll have to start all over again," Blythin said. "I'll keep my powder dry."

Environmentalists and residents of the nearby village of Blue Diamond, however, had staunchly opposed the project, which would have put about 20,000 people on top of the mountain, surrounded on three sides by the conservation area.