More land to be added to Nellis protection zone

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 | 9:21 a.m.

The Clark County Commission initiated a zone change on Wednesday that could add 12,400 acres north and east of Nellis Air Force Base to an airport overlay district, protecting it from aircraft noise.

The number of acres in the district would increase from 21,757 to 34,161.

The extended acreage is necessary because of the new F-22 Raptors that will be based at Nellis, said Alan Pinkerton, acting director of county comprehensive planning.

The land affected is either already owned by the federal government or zoned for industrial use.

The county staff will develop a zone change application, hold neighborhood meetings and seek approval from the Sunrise Manor Town Board. Then the proposal would go to the commission for a public hearing before the zone change is made.

Eight Raptors are earmarked for Las Vegas, according to reports from Air Force officials.

Congress approved $18.6 million for Nellis to prepare for the F-22s in 1999. The funding allowed the base to complete a squadron operations building, a maintenance hangar and a fabrication shop.