Commission approves Logandale project over residents’ protests

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

The Clark County Commission approved two residential zoning requests to allow development in Logandale, an area hit by flooding last week.

The approvals came over the objections of nearby residents who said developing the largely rural area would contribute to future flooding.

Commissioner Tom Collins, who represents the area, approved a plan to allow developers of 8 acres, previously zoned for one home per 2 acres, to put two homes per acre in a gated, walled community -- but only after a new elementary school is built for the area and after the developer builds flood-control elements in the project.

Collins also bumped up the maximum number of homes on a separate request from one home per two acres to one home on each acre, but only after denying the original request to allow four homes on the property.

Both measures passed 5-0. Despite the limits on the approvals, a half-dozen residents from Logandale who made the 60-mile trip to the County Commission's zoning meeting left grumbling.

"Las Vegas is coming to the Moapa Valley," said Dorene Starita. She and her husband, Ralph Starita, have lived in Logandale for three years. "We're going to lose out country flavor out there."

The couple, who spoke against both zoning requests, said they would not vote again for Collins, who took office this month.

Also speaking against the zoning requests was Logandale resident Billy Mildice, who earlier had provided commissioners with videotapes of flooding in the area.

"This project should not be approved until we have some kind of flood studies or some way of seeing how this will play out," said Mildice, who like the Staritas is a retired resident on the area. Mildice was referring to the 8-acre project at Heyer Street and Gubler Avenue.

"That's where that wash comes right on straight through. Basically, the people should be issued life rafts and swimming gear."

Judy Metz, chairwoman of the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board, which recommends land use decisions to the County Commission, also spoke against the project.

"There are serious flooding concerns with this property," she said. "There is a major wash that flows through that area. We can't continue building in this area."

But David Turner, who represented John C. Steinbeck, the developer of the 8 acres, told the commission that before construction would begin, the developer would have to study the flood issue.

"We're going to have to do something to alleviate that flooding," Turner said. "Whatever drainage issues there are, we'll address them."

As for the loss of "country flavor," Turner said that's just growth and progress. The rural areas of Logandale, nearby Overton and other areas of Moapa Valley are changing into neighborhoods, he said.

Turner said following the approval that it would probably be about a year before an elementary school is built in the area by the Clark County School District. The school construction is a condition before construction on homes can begin, although the developer can sell home sites as long as Steinbeck provides a disclosure to would-be buyers.