North Las Vegas Council briefs for Feb. 6, 2003

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003 | 9:55 a.m.

Zoning for adult shops opposed

North Las Vegas will fight a proposal to create special adult-entertainment business districts in Clark County.

One of the four proposed districts, called adult overlay zones, would be near where the Las Vegas Beltway meets Interstate 15 just outside the North Las Vegas city limits.

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith said Wednesday that establishing such a district at a "key gateway" into the city would be devastating.

"That's no longer in the middle of nowhere," Smith said.

The districts are being proposed by County Commissioner Myrna Williams, who has said she is looking for a way to get adult businesses away from residential areas in the county.

But North Las Vegas Development Services Director Donna Kristaponis said in many cities the adult entertainment zones become known as "combat zones" because of the increased crime that ends up overtaking those areas.

City Police Chief Mark Paresi said not only do such zones see an increase in crime, but they also hurt the property values of surrounding properties.

Kristaponis said a public hearing on the proposed special zones is set for Feb. 19.

City Manager Kurt Fritsch said he plans to "go to battle" against the proposal during the public hearing.

Business license fees to go up

License fees for more than 50 kinds of businesses are going up in North Las Vegas.

The City Council, which unanimously approved the increases Wednesday, said the increases bring the city's fees in line with the fees charged in neighboring jurisdictions.

For example, a business license for an accountant in North Las Vegas cost $80 a year, compared with $150 in Las Vegas and Henderson and $300 in unincorporated areas of Clark County. Now that license will cost $150 in North Las Vegas.

North Las Vegas homeowners

living in special designated flood areas can receive an additional 5 percent discount on flood insurance thanks to flood plain management efforts by the city and Clark County Regional Flood Control District, city officials announced Wednesday.