County planning briefs for Jan. 23, 2003

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 | 10:06 a.m.

Talks delayed on 54-story project

Consideration of a proposed 54-story, 962-unit timeshare apartment complex on the Strip was delayed Wednesday by the Clark County Commission.

The commission's discussions on the needed zoning permits was postponed to Feb. 19. Consultant Greg Borgel, representing Westgate Resorts, said the developer asked for the delay to work with neighbors -- including MGM MIRAGE, whose officials have said they oppose the project, calling it too big for the Strip.

Westgate Resorts' planners "are attempting to redesign the project to respond to concerns," Borgel said. Borgel said the design changes could mean a scaled-down project.

Smaller Wal-Mart wins approval

A scaled-down version of the typical Wal-Mart store received zoning approval from the Clark County Commission on Wednesday.

At about 40,000 square feet, the store, which needed zoning approval as a grocery store, is less than half the size of the typical Wal-Mart, said attorney Jennifer Lazovich, who represented the company. Lazovich said the store would be a new prototype for the company, a "neighborhood market."

Neighbors opposed the project because they feared the impact traffic would have on their residential area immediately to the north of the proposed store at Lake Mead and Hollywood boulevards. Commission Chairwoman Mary Kincaid-Chauncey approved the zoning, but restricted the entrances and exits of the store to keep store traffic off a residential street.

New billboard law considered

Months of battle over billboards could be settled Feb. 4.

The Clark County Commission on Wednesday set that date for consideration of a new billboard ordinance that would prohibit new billboards from the Valley View Boulevard alignment to Warm Springs Road and would extend the ban on billboards on Blue Diamond Road.

Dozens of billboard applications have been held up because of the debate over the proposed "billboard overlay zone," which defines where sign developers can put the advertisements.

Limits proposed for strip clubs

Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams introduced an ordinance Wednesday that could restrict future development of "adult use" businesses such as strip clubs.

The proposed ordinance was set for a Feb. 19 hearing. The law would keep such adult uses and their outdoor advertising out of residential areas, Williams said.

County law allows such clubs in heavy manufacturing districts, but as the county's population has grown, so has the number and regional distribution of such districts.