LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — After a years-long legal battle over a proposed housing development on Blue Diamond Hill near Red Rock, the Clark County Board of Commissioners agreed to pay Gypsum Resources $80 million in a settlement.
Clark County Commissioners admit the decision wasn’t easy but say it was the best action they could take to avoid losing millions and possibly billions of dollars more.
“The solution that we have in front of us today is one that meets the standard. It is the best we can do under these circumstances. So, our apologies to those who are disappointed; we join you in being disappointed that we are approving a project the way we are,” said Clark County Commissioner Gibson.
Tuesday afternoon the Clark County Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners agreed to the settlement after the developer for Gypsum Resources say the county backtracked its decision to allow plans for a mixed-use housing development near the Red Rock Conservation Center to move forward.
However, the decision didn’t come without opposition brought forth by dozens of concerned locals and desert conservationists.
“I come to this meeting as a concerned citizen when it comes to Las Vegas. Red Rock serves as an obtainable escape for all those that live in the valley as well as the world over,” said Save Red Rock member Cory Soderberg.
Melanie Paluay was another Clark County resident who was among the many who voiced their opposition against the mixed-use housing development.
“Please protect this land that we all love so much from yet another heat island, where increased dust, noise, traffic, heat-inducing concrete, light pollution, and greed will harm the sensitive desert environment,” Paluay said.
After weighing out the options, with the exception of Commissioner Justin Jones, the board county commissioners agreed to pay the $80 million settlement.
“I will be abstaining from the discussion and voting. Since Gypsum Resources previously was awarded fees and costs against me in the federal action,” said Commissioner Jones.
Clark County leaders say the reasoning behind the commissioner’s approval to settle on the years-long legal battle came after seeing the county would lose an excess of $2 billion in litigation proceedings against Gypsum Resources and their mixed-use housing development.
“When we looked at the evidentiary hearing, it was becoming very apparent to us that the likelihood of success and the liabilities that we would experience became significant.”
While many locals say they aren’t in agreement with the money coming out of capital funds, other locals say they are excited for the 3,500 homes that will be built as part of the residential housing project.
“I am 100 percent for the project. I don’t know if many people know it’s a barren wasteland up there. It is a mine. It would be much better to clean it up. I would rather see it cleaned up and organized, and you really can’t see it from anywhere. So I don’t know who would bother when it’s finished, except it would be a lot cleaner,” said local resident Adam Daffner.
As the development moves forward, the county could end up paying Gypsum Resources an additional $6 million if they are unable to obtain a grant from the Bureau of Land Management to allow for the use of State Route 160 as part of the project.
