Monday, June 13, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

UPDATE: Construction blasts didn't cause damage to nearby homes, study finds

Glenn Christenson reacts to a construction blast May 23 near his home in the MacDonald Highlands subdivision in Henderson. Photo by Ronda Churchill.

It is "highly unlikely" that cracked walls and other damage to homes in Henderson was caused by construction blasts in the area, according to an engineering study just released by the city.

The three-month study by consultant Catherine Aimone-Martin counters claims by residents who blame mostly superficial damage at their homes on recent construction blasts in and around MacDonald Highlands.

"There is a 100 percent probability that blasting at the current regulatory limit does not contribute to cracking in structures," writes Aimone-Martin, who has a doctorate in engineering from Northwestern University.

Her study also notes that weather factors such as major changes in temperature and humidity "produce wall strains up to 72 times greater than those created by blasting at the current regulatory limit."

Wind gusts of up to 34 miles per hour will produce 10 percent more movement and strain in a structure than blasting will under the current regulations, the study states.

Paul Bykowski, vice president of land development for MacDonald Highlands, said Aimone-Martin's findings mirror those from numerous federal blasting studies.

"I was happy with the results. They're consistent with what they've been finding for years and years," Bykowski said.

As a result, Bykowski said, MacDonald Highlands and its blasting contractor have been cleared by the city to resume blasts in a hilltop area that borders existing homes. The first blast there could take place next week, so long as the contractor meets a host of new safety requirements the city opposed for a May 23 test blast in the same area.

That blast was the first within 300 feet of homes in Henderson since March 24, when city officials suspended permits for so-called proximate blasting pending investigation of damage and noise complaints from area residents.

One of the most outspoken residents is Glenn Christenson, who said he was "very disappointed" but not surprised by the study's conclusions.

Christenson, whose multimillion-dollar home is across the street from one of two blast zones in MacDonald Highlands, said he expected the city to produce a study that favors developers over homeowners.

"I still find it implausible that movement of a house doesn't cause damage," he said. "They're asking us to ignore sense and logic."

Bykowski said he did not expect everyone to accept the study's results, no matter how thorough and well supported they are. "If someone's just not going to believe something, you're never going to convince them," he said.

The discussion of construction blasting is expected to continue June 21, when the Henderson City Council should get its first look at proposed changes to the city's blasting ordinance.

Aimone-Martin's work was to be used to help shape the new ordinance.

-- HENRY BREAN

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