Ranch estates safe in NLV

North Las Vegas residents' long battle to hold onto their cherished half-acre lot neighborhood finally ended Wednesday when the City Council agreed to maintain the Ranch Estates Preservation Area.

About a decade ago, the City Council promised homeowners in the ranch estates it would keep parcel sizes at a half-acre or larger and they would be designated for single-family residences. The action, however, was only a pledge and as the population in the Las Vegas Valley boomed, commercial complexes crept into the area.

For months, Ranch Estates residents have tried to convince council members to create a resolution to preserve the area. Wednesday's resolution will protect the neighborhood from high-density housing and commercial buildings.

"We bought our home because it was horse property," June Story said of the neighborhood near Decatur Boulevard and Craig Road. "It's a nice, quiet place to keep your animals and raise your family."

In other land issues, an ordinance to annex a pocket of county property into North Las Vegas will be introduced by the City Council during its June 3 meeting.

The parcel -- bordered by Azure Avenue to the south, Goldfield Street on the west, Centennial Parkway on the north and Donna Street on the east -- is part of a city effort to annex all county islands within its boundaries.

North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon said for years the city has provided services such as police and fire to the neighborhoods even though they belong to Clark County.

"We provide fire personnel, police and water to the area and we receive nothing in exchange," he said. "That is the purpose of this procedure."

Although residents will be permitted to keep their wells and other county privileges, some were opposed to living in the city of North Las Vegas because of higher property taxes.

"I've lived there 27 years and I'm against you guys annexing the property," Edward Stafford said. "I bought in the county and I want to live in the county."

The City Council also introduced an ordinance to annex a pocket of county land near Lone Mountain Road and North Fifth Street. The final decision on the property is expected to be made June 3.

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