Malone wants rehearing on Mount Charleston project

County Commissioner Lance Malone has called for a rehearing on a proposal to build a western-themed shopping center and convenience store at the junction of Kyle Canyon and Deer Creek roads on Mount Charleston.

The commission approved conditional zoning for the project last Wednesday, but Malone wanted it reconsidered because he has concerns about public safety issues like fire protection and drunken driving.

"My concern is you have two lanes, and a high number of fatalities from alcohol-related accidents," Malone said. "Then to allow another bar of sorts to be allowed to be built there ... I have some major concerns about that."

Kyle Canyon Road is regularly ranked among the most dangerous roads in Nevada.

Malone has scheduled a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Mount Charleston Library to talk to residents and property owners about the project, which is on 13.2 acres across the street from the Mount Charleston Hotel.

"We will have an opportunity to sit down and give them some options," Malone said.

The item will come back to the board May 20 for reconsideration. A majority of the board must vote to reconsider its previous motion to place the item on the following meeting's agenda.

Commissioners said they had mixed feelings about the project, but had no choice to approve it because it conformed to the land-use guide, which is due to be amended.

The board gave developer Allen Nel a five-year resolution of intent -- a guarantee to rezone the property in the future, after all the conditions set by the county are met and the construction is near completion.

The zone change allows for the construction of casinos, hotels and the sale of alcohol.

Nel said the project is needed for people who need "more passive recreation."

Mount Charleston resident Jean Perry-Jones said that Nel should complete what he already has approval for before being granted any more development rights.

"We can come to town for rides, for arcades," she said. "We don't need that on the mountain."

The problem, Malone said, is the project conforms to the current land-use guide for Mount Charleston.

"For whatever reason, somebody had given them commercial zoning," Malone said.

The commission had approved the master plan before Malone came on board in 1997.

"Where we were going at first was a complete denial because I don't believe it's in the best interst of Mount Charleston," Malone said. "Look at the infrastructure. Public safety and fire protection are what they are lacking the most."

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