Decision on Strip condos delayed

A Las Vegas property owner accused Clark County commissioners of bowing to a casino mogul Wednesday after the board declined to take action on a request that one commissioner described as routine.

The commission unanimously approved Michael Robert Flores' nine-story, 150-unit time-share condominium a year ago, but as it considered granting Flores an extension of time on the project, it raised questions about the design.

Board members delayed their decision on the extension for two weeks so that they could determine whether it's too late to place conditions on Flores' plan. They also toyed with changing the zoning of the property.

"I'm concerned about the number of stories on this little piece of land," Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates said. "It seems like we're trying to cram a lot in."

Flores' condo would be built on a half-acre parcel between and behind Steve Wynn's popular Strip resorts, The Mirage and Treasure Island. He currently has a motel, the Villa de Flores Inn, on the property.

Mirage Resorts Inc. sued Flores last year, claiming that -- despite being approved by the county -- his plans did not meet setback and parking restrictions. Flores lost the case and has since adjusted his plans to comply with county codes.

Mirage Resorts attorney Mark Russell told the commission he still isn't satisfied with the project.

"A 150-room, 10-story time-share on a half-acre with no major road frontage is an inappropriate use," Russell said.

Flores and his architect, Ignacio Gonzalez, accused the commission of being intimidated by Wynn. Gonzalez questioned why board members would be concerned about the height of the building when it is behind an eight-story parking garage and between two casinos no less than 30 stories tall.

"Steve Wynn has them all in his pocket," Flores said. "Before you can get anything done in this county, you have to line up at Steve Wynn's window and get a building permit."

Gonzalez said Flores wouldn't have needed an extension if they had broken ground on the project. But the court battle with Mirage Resorts, which ended in February, caused a significant delay.

"County planning wouldn't even talk to us until it was resolved," Gonzalez said.

Commissioner Mary Kincaid questioned her colleagues' hesitation on what she labeled a "routine" request.

"It's in the middle of a resort corridor," she said. "We heard it, we voted unanimously for the project. I don't know how we can change it."

Gates said the delay was so that county staff could inform commissioners of their options. Commissioner Erin Kenny said she wasn't aware that the board could go back and make changes to a project already approved. She said if the commission can legally take that action, it is a "tremendous advantage."

Gonzalez insisted the board delayed the project to figure out ways to kill it. Flores insisted Wynn was behind the commission's motion, an accusation that Gates didn't appreciate.

"This has nothing to do with Steve Wynn," Gates said. "I asked for a hold, not Steve Wynn."

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