Town, developers talk swap

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005 | 7:38 a.m.

Boulder City is willing to talk about a land swap that could minimize the impact of nearby growth.

But while that possibility is explored, city leaders are resisting any high-density subdivisions adjacent to Boulder City's western border.

City Manager Vicki Mayes said Wednesday the city plans to push ahead with an agreement with Clark County that would prevent property owners in unincorporated portions of nearby Eldorado Valley from obtaining increased density.

City officials hope to have that agreement wrapped up by the end of the year.

In December, American West Homes is expected to ask the Clark County Commission to allow 3,800 homes on 720 acres west of U.S. 95. The homebuilder has sought to amend the proposed agreement to allow the project.

American West says the development will provide affordable housing for teachers, nurses and municipal employees, who will be eligible for grants for down payments.

"It is our position that that type of development should not be allowed there," Mayes said of American West's proposal. City officials say the subdivision, which would be three to five miles from the nearest development, would spoil views of its residents and add traffic.

Boulder City Council members and residents who spoke at Tuesday's meeting were unanimous in opposing the project. Some suggested that the city consider a swap in which the city would take over the 720 acres for a portion of 1,500 acres that Boulder City owns in Dutchman's Pass, which is out of view several miles to the west.

Councilwoman Andrea Anderson said Wednesday that the city, as a good-faith effort, can continue to discuss a land swap after an interlocal agreement is adopted. There would be interest in such a plan because some residents won't want 350 homes that American West could build under existing zoning so close to the city's border, she said.

American West attorney Chris Kaempfer said the homebuilder is willing to discuss an exchange but will oppose any agreement that takes away the company's rights to increase the density on its property.

"We are not going to put ourselves in that position," Kaempfer said. "We cannot agree to anything that would prohibit us from pursuing development on our site in the absence of something that says we can develop somewhere else."

Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury asked Boulder City to hold off adopting the interlocal agreement while he seeks language that allows for a land swap. In May, commissioners approved a moratorium on zone changes that expires Dec. 31.

Some consider a land swap a long shot because Boulder City voters would have to approve it.

County Commissioner Tom Collins said American West's proposal with its affordable-housing component would be attractive to commissioners. He said he doesn't know whether that's the best site for the project but encouraged Boulder City to be moderate in its growth restrictions.

"They are not in their own little kingdom to themselves," Collins said. "They are part of Nevada, and they need to be a little more moderate in how they play with their neighbors."

Brian Wargo can be reached at 259-4011 or at wargo@lasvegassun.com.