Friday, May 9, 2003 | 10:05 a.m.
Developer Jim Rhodes has appealed a decision by the Clark County Development Services Department that he must go through a potentially lengthy major project review process for his proposed community near Red Rock Canyon.
The appeal was filed Wednesday, a Rhodes spokesman said, noting that Rhodes wants the opportunity to bring the issue of the Hidden Hills development proposal before the commissioners for a hearing.
The appeal was filed so that Rhodes might have a chance to make his plea at the May 21 commission meeting for exemptions to build about 5,500 homes on the nearly 2,500 scenic acres.
County spokesman Erik Pappa said today that will not be possible, at least for that date, because such appeals "typically take 30 days." The appeal would be heard by the commission during a public hearing, the earliest of which would be the first meeting in June, he said.
Pappa said it is not clear whether the agenda item could be posted to allow Rhodes, should he win the appeal, to immediately proceed with his request for the zoning or if he would have to wait until a later meeting.
The development services department, in a letter Friday, said Rhodes must go through the hurdles of a major project review because his proposed development is outside "the area projected to meet near-term urban growth," and that the total acreage also makes it a candidate for a major project.
Rhodes had split his project into four different parcels in an effort to avoid the major-project review. A simple zoning application usually takes about two months, but the major projects review can take a year.
Rhodes wants to get the matter heard soon because bills are before the Nevada Legislature and Clark County Commission that will make it impossible to develop the area surrounding the canyon to the extent Rhodes is proposing.
Those proposed development restrictions would limit the number of potential homes where Rhodes wants to build to about 1,000.
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