Council considers lot size minimum

Dan Kulin

Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 | 9:07 a.m.

Hoping to limit the number of new single-family homes on smaller-than-normal lots, the North Las Vegas City Council agreed informally they should allow the smaller lots only when they are within a much larger development.

During a council retreat at the city's Silver Mesa Recreation Center on Saturday, the elected officials discussed some development and redevelopment issues and projects, including minimum lot sizes for single-family homes.

About six weeks ago the council decided to stop accepting development applications in which single-family homes were planned for less than 4,500-square-foot lots.

Mayor Michael Montandon said developers have been calling him to see when the moratorium will be lifted. But after the Saturday meeting Montandon said the council will probably make 4,500 square feet the permanent minimum lot size for single-family homes that are not part of a master-planned community. He said a vote on the matter will probably come early next year.

Master-planned communities typically include a wide range of housing types and lot sizes. The city usually is able to get more concessions from the developer of a master-planned community.

City Manager Kurt Fritsch said that in the past, developers have come to the council threatening to build multi-family units such as apartments if a development with the homes on smaller lots was turned down.

Fritsch asked the council whether the city should fear multi-family housing, which he said makes up only 3 percent of the housing in North Las Vegas

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith said often the high-density, small-lot homes turn out to be similar to apartments in that people live in them for only a short time. Smith said the small-lot homes should be allowed only in a master-planned community or as "infill" on property within an already-developed area.

At the end of the discussion, Fritsch asked whether the council was in favor of making 4,500 square feet the minimum single-family home lot size, except in master-planned communities.

A majority of the elected officials nodded their approval.