Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sale of land to developer draws wrath of residents

The villagers of the tiny hamlet of Blue Diamond -- and their allies in a fight to keep high-density development away from Red Rock Canyon -- put a Clark County commissioner on the spot and in the middle of the fight Thursday night.

Clark County Commissioner Mark James spoke to a sometimes raucous crowd, but stuck to his previously voiced position that developer Jim Rhodes, who announced Tuesday that he has purchased 2,400 acres on top of Blue Diamond Hill, has to be included in any conversations about how many homes should be allowed in the area.

On Wednesday Rhodes acknowledged he bought the property and said he has no immediate plans for the land.

The hilltop, an active gypsum mine, is surrounded on three sides by the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Red Rock enthusiasts and Blue Diamond residents successfully fought a development proposal last year.

But news that Rhodes, a successful Las Vegas developer who has often been able to win zoning votes before the county commission, has purchased the land for more than $50 million has those same groups concerned that the next development proposal will succeed.

Evan Blythin, a Blue Diamond resident and chairman of the Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council, which provides advice to the county commission on land-use issues, criticized James for even talking to the potential developer. He said James, who represents most of the conservation area and Blue Diamond, should stick to the county's Title 30 land-use laws, which require commissioners "to support existing zoning."

The zoning on top of the hill would allow a maximum of one house per two acres. Most of the people at the meeting said they expect Rhodes to ask for much higher densities on the mine site, similar to the 8,400 homes requested last year by developer John Laing Homes, which had previously negotiated to buy the property.

James said he has "an open mind" about development on the hill, and would consider modifying the existing zoning. In response to a question from a member of the audience, he denied having any financial interest in the issue.

"I am completely objective about this," he said. "I want to do the right thing."

But that would involve a mediation and collaboration process that would bring the developer in to discuss any land use changes, a move that the crowd at the meeting said would be unnecessary.

"I am disturbed by the suggestion," Blythin said.

"Everyone agrees: We do not want high density development up here," said Laura Glissman, a Red Rock advocate and Las Vegas teacher. "As county commissioner (for the district) I think you should represent these people."

James said some residential development on the hill might be preferable to continued mining on the site, a comment that echoed remarks made by Rhodes' lobbyists Wednesday.

But James also said he will work with state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, who has introduced a bill in Carson City that would freeze the existing low-density zoning on the hill. Titus' proposal is in the Senate Government Affairs Committee and calls to support the bill drew rounds of applause.

Many said the mine would be better than subdivisions.

"It's been there for 80 years as a mine and we have no problem with that," said Debbie Rholman.

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