Jim’s Rocking On

On Wednesday 21st of April 2010 developer Jim Rhodes was granted permission to apply for higher-density housing that is permitted by zoning for his proposed development on the former James Hardy Gypsum mine. The Clark County Commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of allowing Rhodes Red Rock company to apply for major projects that are at least 700 acres in size.

The original plan filed in 2003 was to build 5,500 houses on 2,400 acres. It was in this same year that the state introduced restrictions on the land that Rhode’s had bought, and he went on to sue the state and the county for making the changes. In 2009 a federal judge struck down the restrictions made by the county. The Clark County Commissioners feared that if they did not allow Rhodes to apply for housing then he may win a court battle and then be free to build or sell the land in smaller parcels.

At the heart of Rhode’s argument is that the state specifically singled out is land in their 2003 changes and thus violated equal protection rights. Wednesday’s ruling was a step forward for Jim Rhodes, but it won’t be seen as a positive move by most of the residents of Blue Diamond.


Blue Diamond Hill

On March 31st 200 people gathered to question the proposed plans of developer Jim Rhodes to build a residential community on the former James Hardy Gypsum mine. It would be an amazing location to live right next to Red Rock Canyon, but should it be home to desert reptiles or people? The event was held at the Blue Diamond community center and most attendees were opposed the so called Blue Diamond Hill development.

The land owned by Jim Rhodes borders the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and is a massive 1,700 acre parcel that extends from the scenic loop down to Blue Diamond. Under legal advice the Clark County Commission introduced a code to allow Jim Rhodes to develop the land as the county wanted to avoid the case going to federal court, but the attendees at the meeting were not convinced that this was the best approach.

Under the agreement Rhodes has the right to apply for 700 acres at a time, and each 700 acres would be reviewed as a major project by the county. Rhodes has agreed to build roads into the subdivision from the east, rather than from the Route 159 which loops through Red Rock Canyon.

Despite the protests of neighboring Blue Diamond residents it looks as though Jim Rhodes may finally be getting somewhere with his project.


The Rhode to Red Rock

Back in 2005 developer Jim Rhodes announced plans to develop 5,000 Red Rock homes on the former James Hardy Gypsum mine. The plans were shot down by environmentalists because of the mesa’s proximity to Red Rock Canyon, but now the Clark County Commission has given the green light for the development to get going. What has changed?

The land owned by Jim Rhodes borders the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and is a massive 1,700 acre parcel that extends from the scenic loop down to Blue Diamond. Despite $400m in liabilities, and filing for bankruptcy, Rhodes is pushing forward with his project. As older high-end communities such as Spanish Trail age, there is demand for more contemporary product.

Under legal advice the Clark County Commission introduced a code to allow Jim Rhodes to develop the land. It seems that the county wanted to avoid the case going to federal court, and seeing its 2003 code barring developments and intrude visually on Red Rock being challenged. Rhodes had been claiming that the code was unconstitutional, and was due to present his case in Federal court in May. By reaching an agreement at this stage the country has adverted the possibility of Rhodes being able to proceed with high-density housing. The county’s decision means that 700 acres of the land, including that right next to Red Rock will remain vacant.

One would think that any discussion about development would be welcome in today’s Las Vegas real estate market, but in this case there are many folks that would rather see the natural environment preserved. We certainly haven’t heard the last of the controversy surrounding these Red Rock homes.