KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasLegislature Restricts Development Around Las Vegas Treasure
Rhodes describes his proposed development as a replacement to the scarred earth created by the mine.
Karen Hunt of the Sierra Club admits the mine is an eyesore, but thinks a 5,500+ housing development would be even worse
former James Hardie Gypsum Mine on Blue Diamond Hill(May 16 Update) -- The Nevada Legislature gave final approval today to permanent limits on housing development around the Red Rock Conservation Area.
Legislation OK'd by the entire state Assembly today locks in boundary lines around the scenic area near Las Vegas.
It'll block dense development around Red Rock.
The Senate previously approved the bill and it now heads to Governor Guinn for his signature.
He's expected to sign it into law.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press.)
(May 12 Update) -- Assembly Panel Oks Ban On Red Rock Development: Lawmakers in Carson City are getting involved in the fight over development near Red Rock Canyon. Today the Assembly Government Affairs Committee passed a Senate Bill that would freeze zoning around the Red Rock area. The full assembly is expected to vote on the bill as early as Thursday.
A Las Vegas developer has been fighting the bill with hopes of building up to 5,500 homes on the top of Blue Diamond Hill.
Developer Jim Rhodes owns property near the conservation area. He would like to put more homes on the land he owns but right now it’s zoned for larger lots and fewer homes.
Assemblyman Chad Christensen's district includes the conservation area. He says his constituents have made it clear they support the limits.
(May 8 Update) -- The site of Friday morning's blast has already stolen the headlines in the past few days--the focus of a firestorm of controversy over politics and preservation. Friday, the political ping-pong continues.
As we've been reporting here on Channel 8 Eyewitness News , developer Jim Rhodes has plans to build more than 5,000 homes near the site of Friday morning's blast in Red Rock Canyon.
Some Clark County officials are reportedly hoping to limit that number to 1,000.
In a letter obtained by the Las Vegas Sun Friday morning, Clark County officials tell Rhodes he is required to first have his housing project reviewed by the Development Services Department--a process that could limit the size.
Rhodes has appealed that request and is asking Clark County Commissioners instead to hold a hearing on the proposed development later this month.
(May 6 Update) -- The Clark County Commission has formally approved a plan designed to stop a housing development near the Red Rock Conservation Area.
Here's a look at where the proposed development is planned: it’s between Red Rock and Blue Diamond. Channel 8 Eyewitness News reporter Jon Summers is near Red Rock with the story.
Clark County is hoping to buy 2,500-acres of land from developer Jim Rhodes. That land, which Rhodes wants to turn into a housing development, is located practically across the street from the Red Rock Conservation Area. Some say the county's plan to buy the property is the best way to protect this area so many residents have come to love.
The beauty of Red Rock attracts visitors from around the world, but outdoor enthusiasts can't escape progress. Just about anywhere in the conservation area, visitors get a clear view of the 2,500 acre James Hardy Gypsum Mine, the area Jim Rhodes wants to turn into a housing development.
Karen Hunt of the Sierra Club admits it's an eyesore, but thinks a housing development would be even worse: “There are beautiful vistas of this area here, the conservation area, and of the Las Vegas valley itself. So for us that makes it more accessible for everybody and not just a few individuals who are going to be living up there.”
What Hunt just described is exactly what makes the area so attractive to Rhodes who hopes to build more than 5,000 homes.
Clark County Commissioners approved a plan they hope will kill the project by using federal money to buy the land for which Rhodes paid $50-million. The parcel would go to the BLM and could become public land.
According to Hunt: “The road that the miners currently use to get up to the mine could be used to develop another scenic loop up there to give access to all of Clark County.”
Even inside the park, visitors are divided. One visitor says while development may not be ideal, there may be a way to keep both sides happy by blending the development in with the environment: “If there is no choice, at least make it blend in. This friend of mine Mike was saying you could even hide a casino in the caves of the rock here. Just make it tasteful, you can hide everything you want.”
Hunt says that would be difficult to do with 5,000 homes.
Here's what's next. The county must now submit an application for the money to pay for the land and to pay for the restoration of it.
Even if the plan is successful, the money likely won't be allocated until early 2004, and it may not even be the full amount.
Commission Decides to Bring Back the Ethics Task Force
The County commission also decided today that the Ethics Task Force should be put back together after the controversy surrounding that plan to develop near Red Rock. The commission wants the task force to look at the county's ethics policies and standards. Former County Commissioner Erin Kenny has been accused of violating the ethics rules. Kenny says she's done nothing wrong. The task force will meet for up to 60 days to look at the ethics rules.
Land Auctions Continue
The government will soon auction off a large parcel of land northwest of Las Vegas. More than 100,000 acres of public land will be auctioned June 5th. The 36 parcels northwest of Las Vegas are valued at nearly $133-million. The federal government must dispose of 27,000-acres of land under the Southern Nevada Public Management Act.
The debate over selling federal land is heating up. Right now, the Bureau of Land Management sells Clark County land little by little. But Tim Snow of the Thomas and Mack Development Group says the BLM needs to sell more land faster so developments can be better planned. Without planning, Snow says we could have problems when southern Nevada runs out of land--possibly in the next 15 years. The BLM says it doesn't decide how much land is sold--it only facilitates the requests of local governments.
For questions about the land sale, click here.
To view the parcels of land that were for sale, click here.
(May 5) -- (Las Vegas-AP) -- Developer Jim Rhodes has begun a PR campaign to build a residential community on a gypsum mine near Red Rock. Rhodes is hoping to win public support for the project. Public opposition and government officials are threatening to stop or restrict the Rhodes' plans. So Rhodes is offering the mine tours as part of a public relations campaign that includes three-page, full-color advertisements in local newspapers. The project is under fire because it would be bordered on three sides by the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Rhodes maintains the area's natural beauty has already been marred by the mining operation and that a housing development would represent an improvement.
(May1) -- A Las Vegas developer is pushing forward with his plan to build up to 5,500 homes near the Red Rock Canyon area. Just a couple of days after Nevada's two US senators proposed a way to protect the area, Jim Rhodes submitted applications for developing the former gypsum mine he recently bought on Blue Diamond Hill.
Developer Jim Rhodes says the public is being misinformed about his proposed development near Red Rock.
Rhodes bought 2,500 acres of the James Hardie Gypsum Mine property last month.
In a commercial that has started airing today here on Channel 8, Rhodes says his proposed housing development won't take away from Red Rock's beauty, but will actually make it better.
Rhodes declined an on-camera interview, but in his commercial he explains he's a life-long resident of Las Vegas and grew up hiking and biking in Red Rock.
Rhodes describes his proposed development as a replacement to the scarred earth created by the mine.
He is also inviting locals to call his office and arrange a tour of the site. Call (702) 730-4300 M-F 8AM-5PM
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| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION |
| Board of County Commissioners to consider applying for federal funds to purchase Rhodes property | Tues 05/06 | Clark County Government Building |
| State Assembly Government Affairs Committee Public Hearing on SB358 | Sat 05/10 | Grant Sawyer Office Bldg, 555 Washington Ave., Las Vegas |
| Board of County Commissioners scheduled to vote on ORD-0785-02 restricting development in the Red Rock Canyon area | Wed 05/21 | Clark County Government Building |
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