By Mahsa Saeidi
Originally published on KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas
UPDATE The Clark County Planning Commission addressed a proposed plan to build more than 5,000 homes on top of Blue Diamond Hill near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Tuesday night.
The homes would be built on privately owned land adjacent to Red Rock. Right now, the 2,000-acre plot is an active mining site.
According to members of the group Save Red Rock, the recommendation was denied by the commission. The proposal will go before commissioners again the next few weeks.
Several dozen opponents gathered to ensure their voices were heard. They tell 13 Action News they fear the proposed community will hurt the ecosystem, encroach on Red Rock, and increase the traffic on nearby roads.
Ron Krater, the developer’s representative, said he’s been working on this proposal with members of the community for nearly a decade. The developer is committed to providing solutions to every potential problem.
Krater said the plan — to build 2.5 units an acre — is not considered high-density development.
13 Action News will continue to follow this developing story.
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Red Rock Canyon is a popular place to take in the outdoors and go camping but soon, people could be staying there permanently.
A developer wants to have the area on top of a hill near the canyon rezoned.
The land was used for a gypsum mine. Right now it is zoned for one home per two acres. Developer Jim Rhodes wants to have it rezoned to allow 2.5 units an acre.
Heather Fisher, with Save Red Rock, said this area is not the right place for that kind of development.
She said it could also affect people in southwest valley.
“There’s a lot of backed up traffic on Fort Apache, Durango, Rainbow, Buffalo and Blue Diamond highway, and if you double that amount that’s already backed up, it would make it really difficult,” said Fisher.
Ron Krater, the developer’s representative, said that’s just not true, and it won’t happen with their proposed plan.
“One of the misconceptions in the community is that somehow there’s going to be additional traffic on State Route 159 and that’s going to create a dangerous condition and it’s going to be an impact to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area,” said Krater. “There’s going to be a new road constructed that will not connect to State Route 159.”
In order for the project to move forward, the planning and zoning commission and county commission have to approve changing the zoning on top of that hill.
If you’d like to give your opinion for either side of the issue, you can go to the planning and zoning meeting, or the county commission meeting.
For more information, contact Save Red Rock or the developer’s representative at [email protected]
