Assembly approves more power for town boards

CARSON CITY -- Without dissent, the Assembly Thursday approved a bill giving town boards or citizens advisory councils more voice in moves to change zoning districts.

Assembly Bill 388 is one of a package of bills introduced by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, towards better growth management in Southern Nevada.

She said the bill requires an application to change the boundary of a zoning district must first be considered by the town board before the county makes any decision. "This is only reasonable and it requires public notice and discussion," she said.

The recommendations by the town board must be considered by the governing board. And if it rejects the suggestion, it must give written reasons.

Assemblyman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, whose Government Affairs Committee previously approved the bill, said the law is expanded so Clark County must now consider additional things when it adopts its master plan. These things might include recreational trails and paths for bikes and pedestrians.

There is a prohibition in the bill that the land-use plan of the master plan cannot be changed more than four times a year. Giunchigliani said "the biggest hue and cry" she hears is the continual number of changes to the master plan. But there is flexibility in the bill, she said.

There can be additional amendments if the change does not affect more than 25 percent of the area involved.

The bill goes to the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 435 to allow local school boards to appoint advisory construction committees. It was recommended by the Southern Nevada Stretegic Planning Authority.

Sen. Jon Porter, R-Boulder City, said the traditional strength of school boards is education. But in Clark County there has been an overwhelming demand to build new schools for the incoming population. This advisory commission would help in the oversight of the construction program.

"Education will improve and we will be able to build more efficiently and faster to handle growth," Porter said.

SB435 goes to the Assembly.

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