Zoning compromise paves way for seniors apartment complex

Compromise at Wednesday night's meeting of the North Las Vegas Planning Commission may have paved the way for a senior citizens apartment complex to be built in a low-density residential area

In a 5-2 vote, with only Commissioners Shari Buck and Tom Langford dissenting, the commission approved a resolution sponsored by Templeton Development Group and residents that may open the door for high-density senior housing complexes to be built in low-density residential zones.

"The resolution will protect the underlying low-density zoning while allowing senior projects to be built in those zones, but stopping other developers from using our project as a springboard to put apartments in low-density residential areas," Templeton spokesman Bob Quinn said.

The resolution protects residential areas such as that near Allen Lane and Alexander Road, the site where Templeton wants to build a 43-acre senior housing project. The resolution requires high-density developments to follow strict guidelines, Quinn said.

"The resolution uses the guidelines for senior housing in the Federal Housing Act, specific buffering and aesthetics to fit with the neighborhood, and limits the buildings to one-story in height," Quinn said.

The resolution does not approve Templeton's project, which will be before the commission in two weeks, but it does amend the city's master plan to allow for senior housing complexes in low-density zones, planning staff member Steve Baxter said.

Nearly 200 residents turned out against the Templeton project when it came before the North Las Vegas City Council in October, at which time Mayor Mike Montandon asked that residents meet with the developers in an effort to compromise. The 200 protesters were led by attorney Michael Brimley, who lives near the area where the senior project is planned.

Brimley has now moved to the other side of the issue, helping to negotiate with Templeton Development and reaching a compromise that a majority of the residents are behind, he says.

"When I first heard about this, I had serious concerns because I felt that letting high-density apartments into our neighborhood would set a precedent that would allow for other apartments to spring up in the 160 undeveloped acres around our area," Brimley said. "This proposal authorizes the commission to allow these kinds of projects without setting a precedent that will allow our zoning to be changed to high density, destroying our neighborhoods."

Only one woman spoke against the measure, and said she doesn't know if the neighborhood really knows what's going on.

"I don't think people have been informed of this compromise," JoAnn Shaffer said. "We're going to find out if they know what's going on because there are a lot of people still opposed to the development."

Brimley felt that the City Council was leaning toward an eventual approval of the project and that negotiations between residents and the developer would be the best route to take.

"Given the circumstances, each side had to give a little," Brimley said. "The resolution does not hurt either side, allowing the senior development but keeping the zoning low density."

Commissioner Shari Buck said the compromise did not change her mind and that she was sorry to see residents giving up the fight.

"I voted against this before, and I haven't changed my mind because I do not believe in putting apartments in a single-family residential area," Buck said. "I hate to see the residents back down from this."

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