House bill would open federal land for hotel

Thursday, May 13, 2004 | 9:34 a.m.

The "unique circumstances" of 11 acres of federally owned land south of Mandalay Bay make it a good site for a future hotel even though that is not compatible with neighboring McCarran International Airport, according to a bill sponsored by Nevada's representatives in the House.

To allow for such commercial development, the three members have introduced a bill that would convey the federal parcel to Clark County and allow the county to permit a project such as a hotel on the site.

The bill would exempt the property, currently leased by the Walters Group, a company that has built several local golf courses, from federal restrictions passed in 1992 regarding federal lands affected by airport noise.

Non-compatible uses, under that law, include what the bill calls "transient lodging," which is hotels.

The bill is sponsored by Reps. Jim Gibbons and Jon Porter, both R-Nev., and Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.

"The area (Interstate 15 and Russell Road) already is surrounded by hotels," said Amy Spanbauer, spokeswoman for Gibbons. "This bill would allow the county to forgo the restrictions, but would not force the county to do so."

The bill reads in part: "Because of the unique circumstances of the property, allowance of the nonconforming use of transient lodging is in the public interest by allowing the public to benefit from higher revenue generating the use of the property without ... contributing to ... noise pollution."

Mike Luce, president of the Walters Group, said no site plan has been developed for the property that borders the company's 145-acre Bali Hai Golf Course.

"We will want the highest and best use for the property," Luce said, noting that several people have approached the Walters Group with ideas.

Because of the small size of the parcel, the project would have to be a small hotel, shopping center or something similar. A megaresort would require 40 acres or more, Luce said.

The county would have to approve any project.