Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
RED ROCK LEGISLATION: Guinn signs development limit into law
New restrictions encompass 2,400 acres now owned by developer Jim Rhodes
By SEAN WHALEY
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
CARSON CITY -- Legislation that limits development near Red Rock Canyon was signed into law Monday by Gov. Kenny Guinn.
Senate Bill 358 passed unanimously in both houses of the Legislature.
The bill, authored by Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, will restrict development to what is currently allowed on lands surrounding the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The restrictions encompass 2,400 acres owned by developer Jim Rhodes.
The law freezes current zoning in the area to one home on every two acres, including the area atop Blue Diamond Hill where Rhodes wants to build up to 5,500 homes. Rhodes bought the land in March for about $54 million.
Guinn signed the bill into law without comment. The law takes effect July 1.
Rhodes mounted a public relations blitz, including newspaper and television advertisements and tours of his property, to generate opposition to the measure in the Legislature.
Dean Walker, director of land development for Rhodes, said the company is disappointed but not surprised by Guinn's action.
"Our reaction has always been we don't believe the state Legislature should be involved in local land use issues," he said. "It should be left up to the county to decide."
Walker said it is premature to discuss the possibility of a lawsuit over the new law.
A measure similar to Titus' bill is scheduled for a public hearing by the Clark County Commission on Wednesday.
Pauline Van Betten, who represented the village of Blue Diamond on a committee that helped draft the ordinance the commission is scheduled to consider, said she was elated by Guinn's decision.
"This has been a very, very long road for us," she said.
Commissioners also have asked the federal government to pay Rhodes market value for the land with proceeds from the sale of public acreage. Under a proposal from U.S. Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign, the land would be rehabilitated and included in the conservation area.
