Eldorado Valley development delayed

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 | 8:47 a.m.

Concerns over limiting development in Eldorado Valley are holding up an agreement between Boulder City and a New Zealand-based company that wants to lease city land for a hillside thrill ride.

The Boulder City Council Tuesday postponed a decision on approving a proposal from Zorb USA to lease 10 acres two miles south of the U.S. 93 and U.S. 95 interchange. Council members instructed city staff to consult with Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury and other county officials on whether approving the lease would hinder the city's effort to limit development in unincorporated Eldorado Valley.

Boulder City is in the midst of negotiating an agreement with Clark County that would prevent developers from building high-density subdivisions next to the city's borders. Some council members fear approving the Zorb lease might send the wrong message to the county.

Boulder City Attorney Dave Olsen warned the council that the county may "really not take the city as seriously" if it continues to approve such leases in Eldorado Valley, even for recreational uses, next to the unincorporated land controlled by Clark County. One of the proposals with the county locks in existing zoning of one home per two acres and prohibts major rezoning changes.

Zorb has been talking with city officials for several months about bringing a national tourist attraction to the community, but concerns over limiting development in Eldorado Valley arose after those discussions began.

"I like your project, but I have to do what is best for the town," said Councilman Roger Tobler.

Zorb also has several other issues to overcome because the council would agree to a deal. Some council members oppose the company's proposed use of generators to provide power to the site for two years until electrical lines are extended.

The cost to extend electrical lines 3.5 miles to the site is $300,000, but Allen Skinn, the president of Zorb USA, suggest the city study an alternative extension that would only cost $120,000. That would make the project more feasible, he said.

Council members were also concerned about the proposed lease for the site of 10 years and two 10-year options. Some council members said they didn't know if he wanted to tie up the land that long and wanted to ensure Zorb paid a fair rent after 10 years.

Under a proposal, Zorb USA would pay $25,000 a year for ten years with built in cost-of-living increases. The appraised value of the lease is $22,000 a year, city officials said.

Councilwoman Andrea Anderson questioned whether the group should consider a location in Bootleg Canyon where there would be available water, power and streets. It would also be closer to the city to lure Zorb users to stop and spend money. She said she fears tourists will go to the Zorb site and return to Las Vegas without stopping in Boulder City.

Skinn said locating in Bootleg Canyon would be expensive because it would require extensive grading.