Commissioners settle dispute between residents, youth club

Two Clark County commissioners stepped between a collection of angry residents and the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas last week to end a spirited debate over a proposed billboard.

The club had wanted to change to commercial the zoning of a 1.6-acre parcel near U.S. 95 south of Tropicana Avenue to commercial and then lease the property to a billboard advertising firm.

Residents fought the proposal, saying they refused to allow their property values to decrease simply because the club needs enough money to fund its new $1 million facility in Green Valley.

Last week Commissioners Dario Herrera and Bruce Woodbury agreed to use $250,000 from the county's capital improvement fund to help the Boys and Girls Club complete its project.

"The Boys and Girls Club plays a very important role in this community and we wanted to make sure they got their building," Herrera said. "The decision to split the cost between the two of us was in direct response to the residents' concerns."

Each commissioner has access to $2 million in capital improvement funds to assist with various projects. Before the money is spent, however, the entire board must approve the agreement.

Deborah Verges, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, said Friday she is "excited" about the agreement and confirmed the nonprofit organization will pull its rezoning application. She declined to comment further until the commission votes during Wednesday's zoning meeting.

Craig Jondreau, who organized more than 100 neighbors, held meetings, circulated petitions and met with commissioners, learned of the tentative agreement between the commissioners and the club late Friday.

"I am delighted for whatever reason this isn't going through," Jondreau said. "The best thing about this is that neighborhood residents stood up and looked out for themselves."

Residents of the southeastern Las Vegas neighborhood convinced the Planning Commission last month to deny the zone change request. They said a 60-foot-tall lighted billboard would tower over their back yards, and they feared the advertisements might be too risque for their children.

The club had appealed to the County Commission when Herrera developed the agreement. He said $125,000 will come from his district where the billboard was planned and $125,000 will come from Woodbury's region, where the Boys and Girls Club facility is being built.

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