Land issues in NLV, Henderson eyed

Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 | 10:56 a.m.

The Clark County Commission will consider land-use issues affecting two of its sister governments during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The commission is scheduled to receive a report on an effort by Henderson to annex more than 3,600 acres of federal land on the city's western and southern boundaries along Interstate 15 and the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.

The same day the commission is scheduled to consider a memorandum of understanding between North Las Vegas and the county to coordinate land-use planning near Nellis Air Force Base.

Air Force officials are increasingly concerned that residential development near the base could impact flight operations or even add pressure to close the facility. Clark County and North Las Vegas officials want to make sure that residential development is kept away from the base's flight patterns.

The agreement also would bring in base officials and staff for consultation on land-use issues around the base.

The county has less pull when it comes to the Henderson annexation issue. The city council has already said it intends to take the issue to a public hearing March 15 and could formally take over the 3,600 acres two months later.

County airport and planning staff and commissioners have expressed concern that residential development within the 3,600 acres could affect the county's plans to build a new international airport 40 miles south of Las Vegas.

The Ivanpah Valley airport would require a 17,000-acre swath in which residential development would be restricted to avoid noise complaints and other conflicts.

John Rinaldi Jr., Henderson's property management and redevelopment manager, said the county's approval is not needed for the city to move forward with the annexation.

"Neither the county nor the state have to formally approve this action," Rinaldi said.

However, the county's right to a transportation and utility corridor to the Ivanpah airport would not be affected by the move, he said. The corridor was included in the 2002 federal legislation that set the timeline for the development of the Ivanpah airport.

"The county's role in that corridor is secure," Rinaldi said. "This annexation does not upset or modify that."

Rinaldi said the city is prepared to work with county staff in determining the long-term planning for the area.

"We always like to work collaboratively with out sister agencies," he said.

Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, who with Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald represents the region to be annexed, said the annexation makes sense because Henderson needs room to grow.

However, the concern is that the development is compatible with the airport, which will be an industrial use.

"Most of the time, the county doesn't have any say so one way or the other (on annexation issues)," Woodbury said. "We do believe there should be a joint planning effort because the county is planning the new airport in the Ivanpah valley. There needs to be appropriate area set aside for airport control and a utility corridor."