Editorial: State bill timely on Red Rock

Monday, March 10, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

If Clark County is serious about a strict overlay zone that would provide a buffer around the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area, it had better get moving before the state takes control. The county proposal hasn't moved forward for months and citizens who had supported it are grumbling that it appears stalled. They are also very concerned about talks that County Commissioner Mark James is having with a developer, talks they fear could lead to another massive housing proposal in the area of the gypsum mine in Blue Diamond. Last year a development company had a deal with the mine's owner: If it could get zoning to build thousands of homes there, it would buy the property, which overlooks scenic Red Rock.

Citizens, led by Blue Diamond residents, rose up in force to protest this proposal and succeeded in getting it blocked. The County Commission at that point appeared eager to work with citizens to ensure that such an obnoxious plan could never be proposed again. After several public hearings, the county and citizens devised a plan for an overlay zone, which would serve as an effective buffer between Red Rock and any dense development. Because development on the borders of Red Rock is still a threat -- the mine's owners, for example, have rejected sale of the land to a preservation group -- time is of the essence.

Because the overlay zone plan has not made it onto a County Commission agenda for a vote, state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, is working on a bill she hopes will pass the current session of the Legislature. It would take responsibility for protecting Red Rock Canyon away from Clark County and transfer it to the state. Her overlay zone would be more restrictive than the county's and would be much more difficult to ever change. In the area of the mine, for example, one home per two acres would be the limit.

We were pleased to see the county commit itself to an overlay zone, because once development encroaches upon Red Rock's borders, it will never stop and the majesty of this area will be lost forever. With the county now hesitating, however, we approve of Titus going forward with a plan for state protection. The issue of local control pales in comparison with preserving this resource.