Thursday, May 4, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.
Representatives for developer Jim Rhodes were successful Wednesday in their effort to remove a planned flood channel from his property and relocate it on public land where two golf courses are to be built.
Rhodes was given 45 days to evaluate whether he can afford to acquire the necessary property on the east side of Durango Drive, an amount expected to easily exceed $2 million.
The developer and Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny have been negotiating with county planners and airport officials for weeks, trying to gain their support for the project.
Neither the airport nor planners backed off their strong objections to relocating the channel near a high school, golf courses and a county park. Conditions placed on Rhodes reflected planners' displeasure.
Rhodes has three months, including the 45-day consideration period, to buy the land, satisfy utility company requirements, acquire and convey fee title interest and pay costs associated with the relocation.
Attorney Chris Kaempfer said Rhodes wanted to move the channel because a concrete ditch would be an eyesore to his new development.
Kaempfer told commissioners Rhodes wouldn't fight the channel on his property if it was a more "community friendly" grass-lined ditch.
"There is not enough room on the west side to put a grass-lined channel, otherwise we would," Kaempfer said.
But county officials doubt the appearance of a flood channel had much to do with Rhodes' desire to move it. With the 100-foot easement removed, Rhodes can squeeze more homes into his planned 30,000-home extension of Rhodes Ranch.
Planner Barbara Ginoulias said Rhodes could put more homes along Durango and even build more valuable commercial properties near the Durango-Warm Springs Road intersection.
If Rhodes wasn't interested in building additional homes, he had options other than a simple concrete-lined ditch.
"The channel could be boxed and covered on the west side," Ginoulias said. "It could be used for parking or landscaping; it just couldn't have any permanent structures on top of it."
Before making a motion to grant Rhodes' request, Kenny asked deputy district attorney Rob Warhola whether a conflict existed because she lives in Rhodes Ranch. Warhola said Kenny was clear of any ethical conflicts.
Kenny had been criticized by county staff members who said the commissioner appeared at staff meetings with Rhodes to advocate the developer's position, even though she was aware of the staff's strong opposition.
Kenny commended Rhodes for pushing for a grass-lined flood channel, saying similar projects have enhanced neighborhoods rather than creating eyesores.
"It's a testament to the community how we can develop the drainage ditch; it's something we can aspire to," she said.
The Regional Flood Control District and the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers hope to have the drainage ditch completed by the fall. The segment is an integral part of the Flamingo-Tropicana Wash.
Adrienne Packer covers county government for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2310 or by e-mail at [email protected]
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