County islands to float away

Dan Kulin

Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 | 10:05 a.m.

The dots on area maps that are the islands of unincorporated land surrounded by--but not part of -- Las Vegas, could get smaller.

The Las Vegas Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously supported using a 2001 state law to force the annexation 495 acres of undeveloped land in those areas.

The proposed annexations, which would have to be approved by the City Council, would make 127 parcels part of the Las Vegas with or without the property owners' permission.

In general, annexations must be requested by a property owner. But a law passed by the state Legislature in 2001 gave the city the power to forcibly annex property that is at least 75 percent surrounded by the city, and undeveloped as of Jan. 1, 2001.

Sean Robertson, a city senior planner, said land-use planning and code enforcement has been difficult in those areas, which are islands of land under the jurisdiction of Clark County surrounded by the property under the jurisdiction of the city.

Robertson also told the commissioners that even without the proposed forced annexations any piece of the 495 acres would have to become part of the city to receive city sewer service. Because of this, Robertson said forcing the annexations would ultimately save the property owner time when they decided to develop their property.

Two people who said they own property targeted for forced annexation into the city told the commissioners they did not want their property to be annexed at this time.

Commissioner Laura McSwain said she was inclined to let those two property owners remove their land from the list.

But Commission Vice Chairman Richard Truesdell said "there is plenty of time between now and a council vote" for property owners to discuss their specific situations with city staff.

Robertson said the council could make a decision on the annexations in January.

In other actions from the planning commission:

Silver State Helicopters President Jerry Airola said Castaways wants to offer helicopter tours to "keep customers at the hotel."

The commissioners' decision can be appealed to the City Council.