Downtown historic area runs into opposition

Despite protests from about 15 residents, the Historic Preservation Commission passed boundaries for the Las Vegas High School Historic District.

Although the group determined the boundaries for the area, it tabled talk of guidelines for architectural style and other restrictions that would be imposed on the property owners within the district.

The district will encompass about 12 city blocks including the former Las Vegas High School, now Las Vegas Academy, and the areas just south of the campus. The area will generally be bounded by the school and Lewis Avenue to the north, Sixth Street to the west, Gass Avenue to the south and Ninth Street to the east.

"What we did tonight was to approve the boundaries, but to hold off on the design guidelines so that we can take a look at what criteria will be needed, and if certain parts of the district should have different guidelines than others," commission member Mark Paris said.

Property owners at the meeting were against the historic designation because it will add restrictions to what they are allowed to build on their property.

For example, under the guideline, multiple lots can't be used to build one large structure, such as an office building. A developer who owns two lots can build one building, but three lots would require two separate structures, city planner Marc Castagnola said.

Property owners were also concerned with Sixth Street being a part of the district because it will border the new federal courthouse.

Attorney Jared Schaffer questioned the district saying that there are inconsistencies throughout the proposed area.

"We could buy into this, but you need to give us a reason to let you put further restrictions on what we can do with our properties," Schaffer said. "It's a money issue in that this will push all the value out of the property in this district."

The boundary designation now moves to the Las Vegas Planning Commission, which will hear it on Sept. 23. After that it will go to the City Council for final approval.

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