State senator wants airport out of real estate business

CARSON CITY -- The land policies of McCarran International Airport should be reined in, state Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, says.

"I don't think that it's the government's place or Clark County's place to turn its airport authority into the biggest real estate developer in the valley," James said Thursday.

James is upset about the pending transfer of 5,000 acres of BLM land to the airport. The transfer is taking place because the airport wants to control who its neighbors are. Single-family home developments, for example, historically result in numerous complaints about noise. The airport plans on gradually selling or leasing the land to those whose uses for the land are compatible with the airport.

James said he doesn't object to the airport using the property for hangars or other flight facilities or for a buffer for noise. But he said the airport should not be "engaging in the business of private real estate development, which the airport is doing down there."

Jacob Snow, assistant director of aviation for planning, says the airport is following the law. Its policies include diversifying the economy and, with proceeds generated from leases or sales, helping to finance conservation projects at places such as Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.

"This is good for the community," Snow said.

The issue arose at a hearing of the Senate Natural Resources Committee when BLM officials said the bureau may complete transfer of the 5,000 acres west and south of McCarran Airport to Clark County by March.

Snow said that while there won't be any residential development, some of the land will be sold or leased to private interests at fair market value. The airport is presently working on a master plan for the property.

"Some of the plan presents unique opportunities," Snow said, mentioning access to a railroad spur and the beltway. "We ought to capitalize on that.

"We're not going to develop it ourselves. We will have the private sector do it like they normally would."

But James said: "I don't have any problem with the BLM giving the land to the local government to manage. But I do have a problem if the local government involved ... is engaging in the business of private real estate development, which the airport is doing."

James, an attorney, represented a client who dealt with the airport in an abortive deal to build a golf course on property the airport sought to acquire. After going through negotiations, a bidding process and a court action, the airport withdrew its bid for the land, he said.

"I don't think the airport's record on its real estate development efforts is all that great," James said. He questions whether the airport will be a landlord or whether it will share in the lease. And he's wary of the bidding process, based on his past experience.

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