Henderson seeks planning role for land it wants

Kirsten Searer

Friday, April 15, 2005 | 9:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Henderson made a move Thursday to wrestle more control of land from Clark County and the federal government.

Assembly Bill 487 would allow Henderson and other cities in Clark County to plan infrastructure and the use of land it hopes to annex without getting approval from the federal government.

Under current law, the BLM has a seat at the table when cities plan land use, though the federal government typically asks Clark County officials to approve plans on new land.

"We don't believe that simply because the federal government owns the land they ought to be dictating how the planning processes occur and who participates in the planning processes," Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson said.

Gibson said his city basically has one way to grow: along Interstate 15 toward the planned Ivanpah Airport.

The BLM declined the city's request last year to take control of a swath of land along Interstate 15 to just north of Jean. The city hopes to preserve the land for now, and potentially allow development "for future generations," said Bonnie Rinaldi, assistant city manager for Henderson.

The BLM declined the request partly because Clark County did not approve it, she said.

But without control of the land, "we'd be in a lesser position to participate in the planning for the area south of the city," Rinaldi said.

Getting federal approval on plans for future land development often raises the costs of building infrastructure, especially for homeowners who could eventually buy in the area, Gibson said.

"We think it's important we have the opportunity to be there with some authority," Gibson said. "It is the only area where the city of Henderson can grow at all."

While the current law was written to ensure governments work together, especially on environmental issues, Gibson said his city has proved it is environmentally sensitive.

"We need a seat at the table that is not prevented by the federal government's objection to an annexation," Gibson said. "...We think we have demonstrated that we can be faithful stewards of the land, the planning and all the processes.

"That's not to say that our friends at Clark County don't confer with us or won't confer with us."

Clark County officials objected to the bill, saying they have agreements now to work with local governments on land acquisition.

It's important for the county to work with cities on issues of local habitat, air quality and transportation, officials said.

"We have a good track record in Clark County of resolving annexation issues," said Rick Holmes, assistant county manager.

Holmes called the bill a "significant policy departure from what's in place today."

The bill basically "removes collaboration between federal and state land managers, county and local governments," Holmes said.

The Assembly Government Affairs Committee, which heard the bill on Thursday, did not act on it.