Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

South Strip: Who will own it?

An annexation battle between Henderson and Clark County could determine who controls a future South Strip resort corridor and other lucrative development expected to flourish with the opening of the Ivanpah Valley airport.

While Clark County commissioners support Henderson's plan to annex land along the fringes of its border, they appear to be drawing a line in the sand - literally - when it comes to the city's expansion southwest toward Jean, near where the Ivanpah airport is to be built.

Proposed Clark County maps used in discussions with Henderson also give the city no frontage along what some are calling the South Strip and the Interstate 15 corridor at the southern end of the valley. That contrasts sharply with Henderson's proposal to annex 3,625 federally owned acres, including both sides of Las Vegas Boulevard and the east side of I-15.

Henderson stands to gain millions in tax revenue by annexing high-growth areas, but some commissioners believe the county would be a better steward of overseeing development and ensuring its compatibility with the Ivanpah airport and heliport.

The two sides have not met in more than a month, and no more talks are scheduled until commissioners discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting.

"There is not much more to talk about until we get some direction from the board," Assistant County Manager Virginia Valentine said.

Without Clark County's support, the Bureau of Land Management has not backed the proposed annexation. When it sold Clark County 5,800 acres in 2004 for the Ivanpah airport, the federal government required both sides to reach a consensus on a proposed utility corridor leading to the site, Valentine said.

Some commissioners, including Chairman Rory Reid and Bruce Woodbury, remain optimistic that a compromise between Clark County and Henderson can be achieved. But there are concerns that growing animosity on both sides may make such a deal difficult to reach, perhaps ultimately pushing the issue into court.

"I just think this discussion shouldn't be any more heated than it already is," said Reid, a Henderson resident. "I am trying to be a mediator and bring both sides to a place acceptable to them."

County officials are unanimous in wanting to preserve a utility and transportation corridor east of I-15 to bring services to the airport, planned for a site between Jean and Primm. Some commissioners also want the county to retain control of both sides of the future South Strip.

"Henderson is not Clark County, and it never will be," Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald said, referring to the county's experience in overseeing the Strip.

Henderson officials also want to preserve a utility corridor, but oppose any plan that limits the city's ability to grow. That was reiterated last week by Mayor Jim Gibson, who said that as long as the state distributes revenues based on growth, his city has no option but to expand.

"We obviously have to be able to grow - to have land come into the city of Henderson," Gibson said on "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" on Las Vegas ONE.

"That's what we are all about ... We can't allow ourselves (to be) put in a position where we are hemmed in ... It is good for all of Southern Nevada to have Henderson dynamic, strong and successful."

Gibson maintains that Henderson is more than capable of overseeing growth in the South Strip and remains confident an agreement will be reached.

"It will dawn on everyone that we never get anywhere by fighting each other," Gibson said. "We need to figure out how to do this best together."

Some commissioners, though, question why Henderson should be allowed to expand at the expense of the county, which stands to lose tax revenue from an annexation.

Some worry that any development by Henderson - residential or otherwise - in the Ivanpah Valley will reduce its air quality and bring it under provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. That could make future development in county-controlled areas more difficult and expensive.

"Henderson (officials are) only thinking of themselves and asking us to agree to have county property annexed to them," Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates said.

"When you only look at yourself and fail to look at the big picture, somebody will be left out with this proposal. Many of us don't have a problem with ... Henderson growing, but you have to recognize the county's growth as well."

Even though Clark County's plan limits Henderson's growth to the southwest, it gives the city more than 1,000 acres of federal land directly south of Henderson, abutting the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.

Henderson also would be allowed to annex several thousand acres east of its border abutting the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, as well as several thousand acres to the southeast adjoining where Boulder plans to annex 6,400 acres.

Several commissioners support Henderson's growth in unincorporated areas that are difficult-to-serve "islands" - land surrounded by property under other governments' jurisdiction - but question the city's more expansive annexation goals.

"I am not saying that this is definitely the end to Henderson's growth, but I am just saying that what I have seen in their maps is much more aggressive that most commissioners are comfortable with," Boggs McDonald said.

"I don't believe a majority of commissioners will support Henderson coming all the way to I-15, which is its grand plan."

Some commissioners believe Henderson wants to expand as far as Jean, while Boggs McDonald said she fears the city wants to reach all of the way to the California border. Henderson officials insist they have no plans to annex beyond the 3,600 acres, but want to keep their options open.

"As you look into the future, you want to continue to provide infinite opportunities for a future leaders," Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers said. "Right now, our growth is limited on three sides."

Brian Wargo can be reached at 259-4011 or at [email protected].

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