Court rules in flagpole dispute

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled against a company that wanted to keep a 109-foot-high flagpole for a huge American flag at a Las Vegas car dealership adjacent to a residential neighborhood.

Justices ruled against Las Vegas Development Co. LLC and upheld a decision by Clark County District Judge Michael Villani that preserved a Las Vegas City Council order against the tall flagpole.

"The fact that the City Council considered conflicting evidence opposing and supporting the application, and chose to rely on evidence opposing the application, does not provide this court with a license to substitute its judgment for that of the City Council," the high court said.

City officials maintained the tall pole and 30-by-60-foot flag were more of a marketing gimmick more than a patriotic symbol, and neighbors had complained that the flag flapped too loudly in stiff winds.