After facing widespread opposition from the neighbors, luxury homebuilder Blue Heron has scrapped its plans for a new subdivision in an older section of Las Vegas.
Land-use attorney Stephanie Gronauer, representing Blue Heron, told city officials in a letter Wednesday that the builder was withdrawing its application for the project. She did not provide a reason.
The Las Vegas Planning Commission was slated to consider the project on Nov. 10, after the builder asked to delay the originally scheduled vote last month following neighbors’ complaints.
Blue Heron initially filed plans for a 61-lot housing tract on nearly 12.9 acres at the southeast corner of Alta and Campbell drives, seeking dozens of variances for a densely packed project that city staff and neighbors said didn’t fit with the area.
As seen on a recent visit to the neighborhood, numerous signs opposing the development were scattered throughout the area.
Many homes had a sign out front that declared “Say No To Blue Heron” inside of a red Stop sign, while a few other signs featured a cartoon pig wearing lipstick, next to the messages “No Blue Heron” and “No Lipstick On A Pig.”
One version of that sign featured a pig standing on two feet, with a grin, wearing a blue t-shirt that declared “Blue Heron Homes.”
In a statement Friday, Blue Heron confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that it withdrew its project applications and said it appreciates the neighbors and city staff “who took the time to engage with us.”
The builder added that it “remains committed to Las Vegas and to pursuing opportunities to bring new homes to the city’s core.”
‘Reduce density and address other concerns’
Last month, the builder told the Review-Journal that it was revising its project plans “to reduce density and address other concerns” and that it remained “committed to creating an outstanding community that fits the character of the neighborhood.”
Las Vegas City Councilman Brian Knudsen, whose ward includes the project site, said on social media last week that the developers were “working diligently” to revise their plans “based on the neighborhood’s feedback” and that they had now proposed a 37-home project.
However, Knudsen announced online this week that Blue Heron’s project applications had been withdrawn, without saying why, and he posted a copy of Gronauer’s letter.
The Review-Journal obtained a copy of the letter from the city’s public information office, and city spokesman Jace Radke said the developer can resubmit the project or a new version of it if they choose.
Still, because it withdrew the plans, the builder would have to go back through the application process again, he said.
‘Attempt to overdevelop’
Las Vegas-based Blue Heron is known for building stylish, modern homes, and property records indicate that its now-nixed project site at Alta and Campbell is owned by former casino magnate Steve Wynn.
In general, developers often go under contract to buy a property and then close escrow after they obtain project approvals for the site.
Gronauer told city officials in a letter in August that the project site “has sat vacant for years with attraction from homeless and illegal activities,” and that the proposed subdivision “will help improve the entire neighborhood by eliminating nuisance along a highly traveled thoroughfare.”
Under the original plans, the developer requested 42 variances for the project, according to city staff.
Among them, it wanted variances to allow for smaller residential lots, including, in several cases, to shrink the minimum width from the required 60 feet to 20 feet and the minimum front setback from the required 20 feet to 5 feet.
City staff determined that the original proposal was “not compatible or harmonious with the surrounding area” and recommended denying it.
Overall, the subdivision would bring “much-needed housing stock” to Las Vegas but was “an attempt to overdevelop” the site, according to a staff report.
Caleb Sheldon, who lives across from the project site, previously told the Review-Journal that every house in the neighborhood is different, and he likened Blue Heron’s original proposal to a “suburban subdivision plopped inside.”
Mica Keller, who lives near the project site, previously said she was concerned by all the variances sought by Blue Heron, adding it could set a precedent for the city.
“It completely changes the entire community here,” Keller said.
Contact Eli Segall at esegall@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0342.
