Orchard neighbors fight school

Thursday, July 24, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

The Las Vegas Planning Commission tonight is expected to hear the pros and cons of building a high school in what neighbors call the last agricultural bastion in the Las Vegas Valley.

The commission meets at 6 p.m. to consider a zone change to allow the proposed 232,206-square-foot school to be built on property formerly part of Gilcrease Orchards.

The proposal has drawn fire from neighbors who fear, among other things, traffic, pollution and potential vandalism. The commission's recommendation, whether for approval or denial, will be considered later by the Las Vegas City Council.

"It just doesn't fit our rural atmosphere," said Sandra Taylor, who lives across from the proposed school in a northwest Las Vegas community that features street names such as Whispering Sands Drive, Real Quiet Drive and Farm Road.

"The Clark County School District says there are no alternative sites, but many of us residents believe there are other places to build it," she said. "A high school is not compatible with the orchard or sanctuary."

Taylor was referring to the nearby Gilcrease Orchard, long operated by Ted Gilcrease, and the Gilcrease Bird Sanctuary, long run by his younger brother, Bill Gilcrease. They are members of a local farming family that has worked that land since the early 20th century.

The orchard is open to visitors to pick their own fruits and vegetables. The sanctuary is a popular destination for school field trips.

In 2001 the octogenarian brothers sold the land, which then was part of a county island that has since been annexed into the city limits, to the School District for $2.7 million specifically for a high school. They requested the school be named for their mother, Elda Gilcrease, but did not make it a condition of the sale, School District Site Development Planner Carol Bailey said.

"With the development and growth of the area over the years, there is such a great demand for a high school at this location," Bailey said.

"There just is no other site available. One potential site we looked at was at Horse Road and Rainbow Boulevard, which is part of the Floyd Lamb State Park. But the state was not receptive to the idea."

Taylor and other critics say the construction of a high school on the site could add traffic problems and pollution and provide a gathering place for teens that could result in more crime and perhaps vandalism to the orchards and farm. They also argue that property values will drop.

Bailey dismissed those arguments.

"In the past there have been complaints by residents opposed to schools in their neighborhoods because they feared their property values would decrease, but we have never found that to be the case after the schools were built," Bailey said.

Taylor and others have recommended the School District consider a smaller campus and make the school an agricultural studies center. School officials, however, say they are committed to making each high school uniform in size and to provide the same educational opportunities, sports programs and amenities for students at all facilities.

The Gilcrease facility, if approved, would open in the 2004-05 school year and would relieve overcrowding at two other area high schools, Bailey said.

The 40th high school in the district, Gilcrease would be located between Centennial High School, at Centennial Parkway and Hualapai Way, which already is near its capacity of 4,000 students, and Shadow Ridge High School, which opens in the fall at Decatur Boulevard and Iron Mountain Road with at least 2,700 students, Bailey said.

Taylor argues that the Gilcrease brothers never would have sold the land to the School District if they had considered that the facility would pose a threat "legacy" their family has long built in the area.

The Gilcrease brothers have remained silent about the proposed high school. Ted, 87, is ailing, and Bill, 83, is reclusive.

However, City Planning Director Robert Genzer said it is possible that one or both of the Gilcrease brothers might speak at tonight's hearing. He also said city staff recommends approval of the project, which conforms with the general plan.

To alleviate some residents' fears, such as overflow parking kicking up dust on desert roads, one proposed restriction a parking structure must be built once the school population climbs above 2,700 students.

Taylor said a multilevel parking garage definitely is not compatible with the area and probably would anger even more residents.

To ease concerns of some residents, the School District is offering a pleasing design layout, a "closed campus" to reduce daytime student traffic and ballfield lighting that has minimal spillage onto area streets.

"We want our project to be welcomed into the community and we will listen to what the residents want and, if possible, address their concerns," Bailey said. "We want the students and neighbors to be proud of this school and the educational opportunities that are offered."