Redevelopment Agency approves $15,000 sign reimbursement for Sun Valley Plaza despite nonconforming‑sign concerns

The Mesquite Redevelopment Agency voted March 25 to award a $15,000 redevelopment grant to Sun Valley Plaza for reimbursement of a freestanding sign repair at 561 West Mesquite Boulevard.

Redevelopment Agency Director Martine Green presented the application and said the plaza is in the city’s 50% reimbursement area and that the sign‑specific program limit is $15,000. ‘‘You have before you an application for a grant for reimbursement for the redevelopment agency,’’ Green said. She told the board the staff recommendation reflected the program limit for signage.

Jeff Hoyt, owner of Sun Valley Plaza, told the board there were two bids for work on the freestanding sign — $71,022.56 and $95,540 — and that the city reimburses according to the lowest bid and program limits. Hoyt said he could have the plaza’s tenants submit separate sign applications that might together reach the $35,000 he requested, but he could not complete that process in the timeframe and prefers to repair the existing freestanding sign. Hoyt said he has reinvested revenues into the property, including an estimated $93,000 for a new parking lot and about $80,000 for roof and HVAC repairs since purchase four years ago.

Board members asked planning staff and a board adviser about whether the sign is ‘‘nonconforming’’ (grandfathered under older code) and whether city funds should be used to repair a nonconforming structure. Simon, a city planner, said nonconforming signs are grandfathered but that when repairs exceed half the replacement cost some limits apply and the city expects eventual removal or replacement to current code over time. Mr. Bridal, a staff member who reviewed the Attorney General’s opinion Martine Green supplied, said the AG opinion treats assistance on a per‑project basis: ‘‘If it is a project, it doesn't matter how many parcels there are… the limit would be per project,’’ he said.

Board Member Fielding moved to approve the $15,000 RDA reimbursement for Sun Valley Plaza; the motion was seconded and passed on the floor. The transcript records no roll‑call vote. The board and staff discussed that Attorney General guidance and Nevada Revised Statutes had been consulted about whether multiple parcels in one development could receive separate awards; staff advised that the grant limitation is per project.

The board did not take public comment on the item beyond Hoyt’s remarks. Staff did not identify next steps for disbursement timing at the meeting.