North Las Vegas approves opening schools in commerical zones

The North Las Vegas Planning Commission recently approved an amendment to a zoning ordinance so that charter schools can open in commercial zones, such as shopping centers. The ordinance passed but not without opposition.

North Las Vegas P olice O fficer Jose Rodriguez spoke out against the proposed zoning change at a February meeting, citing potential traffic conflicts between vehicles and students.

Rodriguez said special details have to be set up at some local schools to allow students to cross the streets safely.

Rodriguez, who works in the department's C ommunity S ervices D ivision, also said his office receives complaints from businesses near high schools and middle schools about students loitering before, during and after school.

The North Las Vegas City Council granted its final approval of the zoning amendment at its March 16 meeting.

North Las Vegas, by approving the ordinance, joins Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas and Henderson in allowing charter schools in commercial areas.

A lthough charter schools are allowed in commercial zones, it's difficult to get permits approved. M ost of the Las Vegas Valley's dozen charter schools are in stand-alone buildings with dedicated parking lots.

Henderson's Nevada State High School, 303 S. Water St., Suite 120, is one of the few charter schools in a commercial zone.

The school shares a building with Wells Fargo on a busy street in a heavy retail area in downtown Henderson. A public parking lot is shared by several nearby businesses, including casinos.

The school has about 200 students, all 11th- and 12th-graders.

Executive director John Hawk said the school hasn't had issues with traffic or nearby businesses.

"We've had absolutely no complaints," said Hawk. "It hasn't been problematic with people, with shops, and we're bringing kids to the retail portion.

"They're worried about this huge rush of kids," he said, "but charter schools are different. It's not like the masses of a normal, traditional school."

Enrollment is smaller than public schools, and usually, differences in scheduling ensure that even fewer students are on campus at any given time, Hawk said.

Across the street from the school is Mocha Joe, a coffee shop frequented by Nevada State High School students.

"They're a good customer base," general manager Sarah Ryan said. "They've been decent, polite. There's no cause for complaint. I'll be really sorry to see them go."

Hawk plans to move the school to another building at 233 N. Stephanie St. because of space constraints at the current location.

The Stephanie Street location also is in a heavy commercial area, with a nearby Walmart, gas station, bank, furniture stores and insurance offices.

The school's conditional use permit requires Hawk to notify nearby businesses of his intention to move in. Hawk also held an informational meeting for all the nearby business owners to express their concerns.

The North Las Vegas zoning request was submitted by attorney Bob Gronauer on behalf of Florida-based Academica Schools.

Gronauer said Academica is perusing several areas in town to open new charter schools.

"All that we wanted to do was have North Las Vegas on the same page as the other jurisdictions," said Gronauer, "to have the ability to at least request zoning.

"There is a high demand in (North Las Vegas)," he said. "Parents want their kids to attend charter schools."

The first location being pursued is in a shopping center near West Centennial Parkway and Commerce Street. The special use permit for that school has been submitted for the planning commission's April 13 agenda for a vote, Gronauer said. If approved, Academica plans to open it by fall.

North Las Vegas Planning C ommission C hairman Dilip Trivedi made it clear that the planning commission hasn't signed off on anything yet.

"It's not like we approved a particular application," said Trivedi, "we just approved the concept. When an application comes before us, we will consider the (traffic and safety) issues -- that's a no-brainer.

"Zoning should be flexible. We have a lot of empty buildings in North Las Vegas, and I think we can put them to good use if we can repurpose them."

The next North Las Vegas P lanning C ommission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 13 at North Las Vegas City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive.

For more information, call 633-1537.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.