65°F
weather icon Clear

Process to develop land near golf course advances

Staff is drafting a request for proposal to develop land near Boulder Creek Golf Club at the request of the City Council.

At its regular Tuesday, March 23, meeting, council directed staff to create the proposal request for Tract 350, an approximately 45-acre parcel of land adjacent to the northeast portion of the golf course and south of Adams Boulevard. It was approved for sale by voters in 2010.

Recently, the city received four responses to its request for information for the property. Toll Brothers, American Nevada Company, Lewis Investments and StoryBook Homes presented ideas for different housing developments with anywhere from four to 10 units per acre for detached homes and 10-20 units per acre for attached homes.

One also suggested it be used for workforce housing.

“As much as we need affordable housing … I’m not sure that Tract 350 is that … ,” said Councilwoman Claudia Bridges.

She said she thought the property value should be maximized but she also didn’t think it should be used for storage or something commercial.

“I think we have mixed needs for this,” she said.

Councilwoman Tracy Folda said the development needed to maintain the balance of what is good for the community and the golf course. She said it could be an asset to the community and “not just homes.”

“Personally, I think the results brought back from the developers are very well thought out,” said Mayor Kiernan McManus.

He suggested that different kinds of housing could be built throughout the parcel with lower and higher density.

“I don’t think having some variety in there would be a bad thing,” added Councilman James Howard Adams. “It wouldn’t hurt the golf course.”

Council directed staff to draft a request for proposal that includes development with approximately 10 units per acre for 20 percent to 25 percent of the property with R1-7, R2 and R3 zoning.

R1-7 is for single family homes with a 7,000-square-foot minimum lot. R2 is for a duplex-type property and R3 is multifamily zoning.

McManus also requested staff to research how the needed storm sewer for Bristlecone Drive could affect the sale price.

Brok Armantrout, Boulder City’s contracts/real estate manager, said the city would make it clear that whoever purchases the land would have to install a storm sewer. He said it could be taken as a deduction from the value of the land.

“So in essence, whoever purchased the land is already getting the land at a discount so that in theory they would use the discount … to make the improvement that they’re required to make. … It’s one and done,” he said.

Another option is a limited improvement district or special improvement district for that area to pay for the improvements over time. Folda asked for an updated estimate of a new storm sewer to be included so they could weigh the long-term prospect of an improvement versus a one-time payment.

McManus also requested different options for the best way to accommodate the change in property values if the property is purchased in phases.

Acting City Manager Michael Mays said the request could be written broadly to allow the developers to use their expertise in how these residential communities are built and what can be included in them.

Bridges said she liked that idea.

“I’m concerned that if we’re too specific and they bring us what we’re asking for, we’re not getting the best,” she said.

“I think it’s a very good idea,” added Councilwoman Judy Hoskins. “I did want to mention … about the variance(s) because remember we had so many variances for StoryBook. That’s why … I think that we want to have in there … that we will not accept (any) variance for subdivision standards.”

Once staff finishes the request for proposal, it will come back to council for approval.

Council also unanimously approved having the recruitment for a new city clerk be handled by staff.

McManus said because Henderson has been recruiting for a new city clerk there is already a pool of candidates and Administrative Services Officer Bryce Boldt had already completed a brochure for the position.

“I don’t see the need to utilize the outside firm again,” he said.

Council set the salary range from $75,000 to $115,000. Boldt said the position will be posted for 30 days, and he could provide an update on who has applied at the second council meeting in April.

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Annika Huff turns tragedy into triumph

It’s been nearly a decade since 28-year-old Annika Huff found herself at just 93 pounds and clinging to life after just being sold from one sex trafficker, or pimp, to another.

To chip or not to chip is still the question

Boulder City’s leash law and the controversy over the potential for permitted pet breeding within city limits were not the only animal-oriented items on the city council’s agenda for last week’s meeting.

Vets home regains 5th star

The Southern Nevada State Veterans Home has gone through a rough few years that came to a head earlier this year when the facility lost its vaunted 5-star rating and got hit with a warning on their website advising of patient abuse.

Boulder City starts ‘Adopt-A-Streetscape’ program

The city of Boulder City maintains 92 miles of public roads – that includes both sides of the street and the medians as well. And, while the city’s streets and landscape crews do an exceptional job at maintenance and upkeep, the reality is that sometimes, it is hard to keep up that pristine appearance. Sadly, some people litter. Weeds grow quickly and wind can cause garbage and debris to fly away.

A Day at the Dam

Photos by Ron Eland

Full slate of events to kick off December

As December approaches, the calendar of holiday events is quickly filling up. So, it’s time to mark yours with a wide variety of festivities.

Council directs staff to draft new leash law

Three hours into a meeting that started with an hour of public comment exorciating the city council for current regulations regarding pet breeding and off-leash dogs, members voted to tie one of those issues up.

Governor honors veterans at SNSVH

More than 100 invited guests, veterans and elected officials turned out to Monday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home.

3 to vie for city manager position

The process for choosing a permanent (hopefully, given recent history) city manager is about to take a big step forward as the city council will get a chance to publicly question three candidates in a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21.