Commissioners OK Venetian variances

A vicious but unsuccessful $2 million advertising blitz targeting Clark County commissioners last year may have left a casino executive disappointed and some board members angry, but Wednesday it left only small traces of bitterness.

Venetian hotel-casino executives were granted variances for the second phase of its $1.8 billion megaresort that will open at the corner of the Strip and Sands Avenue in April.

It was the first time the two sides met since the Venetian owner, Las Vegas Sands Inc. Chairman Sheldon Adelson, used potent political ads to attempt to unseat incumbents Erin Kenny and Myrna Williams and defeat Dario Herrera.

Adelson is troubled by the commissioners because they are financially backed by the Culinary Union. Union members have hounded Adelson because he refuses to make the Venetian a union property.

During Wednesday's zoning meeting, commissioners unanimously approved variances that allow the Venetian to reduce its street setback and lease a portion of the Desert Inn hotel's parking lot while it builds its second phase.

"It would have been impossible to raise any legitimate objections to what we proposed," Venetian representative David Friedman said. "It would have been extreme and outrageous for anyone to vote no. They're so routine."

Friedman said the second phase includes a 3,000-room, all-suite tower with more restaurants, an additional lobby and more casino space.

Friedman didn't know exactly what to expect when he entered the chambers Wednesday, but he wasn't surprised to see Culinary members of the there, he said.

The Clark County Planning Commission had approved the variances a month ago, but the Culinary appealed.

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