Rural residents opposed to gated development

Dan Kulin

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004 | 9:50 a.m.

Residents of a rural preservation area in North Las Vegas are fighting a proposed residential development they fear will infringe on their way of life and open the door to future dense development in their neighborhood.

The Planning Commission on Wednesday decided to postpone action on the development, which is being proposed by Harry Shull, a North Las Vegas home builder who is also a member of the commission.

Shull, who is part-owner of Celebrate Homes, said he wants more time to meet with concerned residents to see if they can reach a compromise on the project.

Shull said he expects the matter will be back before the commission in about 30 days. The development plans would also have to be approved by the City Council.

According to city documents, Shull is proposing to build 39 homes on 14.8 acres on the southeast corner of Lone Mountain Road and Allen Lane. Shull said he wants to build an upscale gated community of large homes on lots ranging in size from 10,000 square feet to almost half-an-acre.

But Shull has run into strong opposition from neighbors.

Steve Werk, 60, builds horse barns for a living and lives across the street from the proposed development. He came to the Wednesday commission meeting armed with a petition signed by about 70 other residents of the Rural Estates Preservation Area who all oppose the development.

"What the developer is trying to do is bring a walled community into the midst of a rural community," said Werk, who acted as spokesman for his neighbors. "And once they get a foothold here, the next developer will say there's been a precedent set."

Werk said he's concerned that eventually he and his neighbors will lose the protections of the rural district, which allows them to keep livestock on their property.

"I would like it to be all half-acre lots with no restrictions on livestock," Werk said, adding that on his 2 1/2 acres he has about 15 horses, eight bulls and a water buffalo named Fred.

Shull said that while he may be willing to compromise on the size of some of the lots in his proposed development, he will not allow livestock there.

Shull said he could live with horses across the street from his development, but not in it.

"I want to live there and I don't want horses next door," he said.

Shull did not comment on the matters during the commission meeting, except to say he was abstaining from action on the related items because it is his project.

During a break in the Wednesday meeting, Shull said he has spoken with some of his fellow commission members and City Council members about his proposed development, as he has before for other projects.

"I just abstain from anything I have an interest in," Shull said.

Shull said that he's " just like any other businessman" who goes to those in power to explain his proposal to try to win their approval.