Rhodes faces major-projects rules

Monday, May 5, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

Clark County Development Services Department has ruled that developer Jim Rhodes must go through a potentially lengthy "major project" review process for his proposed community near Red Rock Canyon.

In a letter Friday the department said Rhodes' Hidden Hills development is outside "the area projected to meet near-term urban growth," and the total acreage of nearly 2,500 acres also makes it a candidate for a major project.

Rhodes' attorney Steve Morris today called the decision "an unnecessary delay."

"It looks to us like they are passing the buck so that they won't have to deal with it," Morris said, referring to bills before the Nevada Legislature and Clark County Commission that will make it impossible to develop the area.

"All we expect is a fair hearing to present our development. We think that would be appropriate. We have followed all of the protocols."

Morris said the legislation "targets" his client and is "preemptive."

Rhodes, who is campaigning for approval of up to 5,500 homes on the property, split the project into four different parcels in an effort to avoid the major projects review.

A simple zoning application usually takes about two months, but the major projects review can take a year. Major projects also require additional meetings with county staff and public meetings with nearby residents -- who in this case generally oppose the project -- and the citizens advisory groups.

Rhodes, when he applied for the zoning change last week, said he wanted the zoning approval to come soon, in part because of development restrictions proposed both in Carson City and in the Clark County Commission that would limit the number of potential homes to about 1,000.

Barbara Ginoulias, Clark County's assistant development services director, said the commission can take into account the proposed rules when and if it receives the land-use application from Rhodes.

Ginoulias said Rhodes did not receive special treatment.

"If anyone came in and attempted to file similar applications, we would have responded in the same way," she said.

Rhodes can appeal her department's decision to the County Commission.