LV planners deny one high rise

Sito Negron

Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 | 9:44 a.m.

The Las Vegas Planning Commission, wrestling with an unprecedented surge of proposals for high-rise buildings, approved two plans but denied a third Thursday night.

Approved were proposals for a nearly 900-foot residential tower at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue and two 50-story buildings on the site of Scandia Family Fun Center at Sirius Avenue and Rancho Drive.

The plans still must be approved by the City Council, and are expected to be considered at the Nov. 3 meeting.

Not approved was a proposal for five buildings between 10 and 16 stories across the street from Texas Station on Rancho, which commissioners said was too close to nearby homes.

"I'm perplexed on this one. It does seem quite intense," Planning Commissioner Todd Nigro said, a comment echoed by other commissioners, who pointed to the resort corridor of the Strip and downtown as the proper places for high-rise development. The project failed on a 4-3 vote, but it can be appealed to City Council.

Supporting the proposal was Commissioner Byron Goynes, who said the project on the western edge of Ward 5 would be good for that community.

"It (high-rise development) has happened in other places in Las Vegas and I don't understand why it can't happen here," he said.

The proposals under review by the Planning Commission Thursday were part of a wave of high-rise applications faced by the city and county. In the downtown Las Vegas alone, the council was told during its meeting Wednesday, more than 8,000 housing units in development are either under review or approved.

The nearly 900-foot Summit at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Boulevard could become the gateway to downtown, said Victor Altomare, one of the project developers.

"It didn't happen overnight. It took two years to find the right projects," said Altomare, an Australian who said he has had an office in Las Vegas for three years.