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Rural areas protected

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 | 7:28 a.m.

Some less densely populated areas of Las Vegas now have an added layer of protection against zoning changes.

The City Council voted 6-0 on Wednesday to create rural preservation overlay districts, which are primarily located in the northwest part of the city with some scattered throughout the rest of Las Vegas, including some older central neighborhoods such as the Scotch 80s and Rancho Circle.

The council could still approve land-use changes within those areas, but the ordinance requires applicants to "show good cause" for any change. That requirement is expected to give residents another layer of legal protection from zoning changes.

The rural preservation districts are in areas that also met the qualifications outlined in a state law in effect from 1999 to May 2004. Rural districts are made up of at least 10 homes where there are no more than two homes per acre.

Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian and Mayor Oscar Goodman have property within a rural district, but were allowed to vote on the matter because the ordinance affected more than a single neighborhood and affected them equally.

Tarkanian, however, was absent from the meeting and did not vote on the ordinance.

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