Valley must diversify economy, sustain resources, report says

The Las Vegas Valley was built up too rapidly over the past three decades, straining natural resources and leading to land-use, water and transportation policies that no longer can be sustained, says a nonprofit group specializing in growth management.

And it must shift away from the growth-dependent industries of construction and hospitality and create policies that will diversify the economy and sustain resources for generations to come, concludes an 80-page report created by the Tucson, Ariz.-based Sonoran Institute and released Monday.

The $40,000 study, which reached its conclusions after examining land use in the area, was commissioned by the Sierra Club and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, an umbrella organization that represents more than 40 liberal-leaning groups in Nevada.

The findings were supported by Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, who attended a news conference Monday held by the alliance and Sierra Club. She plans to bring the study to the commission's attention.

Alliance officials said the depressed economy offers a chance to replace land-use policies with what they say are more sustainable methods.

"I think developers have dictated public policy, and that's got to end," said PLAN spokesman Launce Rake. "I hope the report fuels dialogue and open debate on this issue."

Rake described some things he would like changed, but his group presented no formal proposals for how the county might revamp the system.

Local governments accommodated developers to fatten the tax base and create jobs, leading to some poor planning decisions such as Lake Las Vegas and half-finished neighborhoods in the north valley, Rake said.

Lake Las Vegas is an island that is disconnected from the main urban area, Rake said, referring to the financially ailing hotel-casino complex.

Plus, the artificial lake siphons a heavy volume of water from the Colorado River, he said, calling it "an example of what we don't want repeated."

In contrast, CityCenter exemplifies proper land use because it was built within a dense urban area, Rake said about the largest privately financed project in North America.

On its Web site, the Sonoran Institute describes itself as an impartial entity that promotes better growth management throughout the Western states.

The report recommends a more holistic approach to planning that considers the effects a development has on the entire county.

For instance, if developer Jim Rhodes builds houses on the mesa just east of the Red Rock National Conservation Area, it would affect anyone who wants to hike there, said Lisa Mayo DeRiso, a local activist who represents Scenic Nevada. The nonprofit, nonpartisan group works to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic character of Nevada.

If Rhodes were to build high-density housing, it would be the worst kind of "leap-frogging," DeRiso said, describing the practice of creating a slice of development away from the main urban nucleus. In such cases, infrastructure is sparse or nonexistent, she said.

"To grow in this county now, we have to have a holistic view ... and take the politics out of it," she said.

Giunchigliani, who is seeking re-election, said she thinks it's a matter of creating a regional plan rather than developing piecemeal. Growth must be controlled so it doesn't outpace the area's depleted water supply, she said.

Water conservation measures also could be used, she said, such as replacing old toilets and shower heads with ones that use less water.

She plans to ask the commission to form a committee to make recommendations for better handling growth, using the report as a guidebook.

"It's looking at how we can use our resources to create sustainable jobs and small business that support our community," she said.

Several years ago, County Commissioner Rory Reid led a task force that explored growth management, she said. But task force members didn't believe in setting aside much land for open areas because they thought it was too valuable not to build on.

Times have changed, she said. The housing market is down, and people want parks and open space.

Developers should complete infrastructure, parks and other amenities before they build houses in a subdivision, Giunchigliani said. Mountain's Edge in the southwest valley is an example of the reverse being done, she said.

Focus Group, which developed Mountain's Edge, told homebuyers it would build a regional park and several smaller parks . But when the real estate market tanked, the company said it could not afford to build all of the parks it promised. Many residents accused the developer of deceiving them.

The report also said that efforts should be made to link areas through public transportation.

The report noted that Bureau of Land Management property surrounds the valley and that some residents want the agency to sell the tracts to developers when the market recovers.

Giunchigliani opposes this idea, saying empty houses and half-finished strip malls can be found on former BLM land in the north valley.

Public transit should be diversified to include a light-rail system that would run throughout the valley, Rake said, adding that buses alone cannot solve the area's transportation problems.

Mass transit would reduce traffic congestion and car smog, he said.

Giunchigliani said innovative thinking must go into planning now.

"What else can we do to put solar panels on top of housing?" she said. "What manufacturing can we attract here?"

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.