Commission OKs 6‑story multifamily project linked to new surface monorail station on Paradise Road

The County Commission approved a use permit for a mixed‑use multifamily building with an integrated surface monorail station near Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue, voting to approve the proposal subject to a series of conditions. The project site is east of the Virgin Hotel and Embassy Suites and about one block west of UNLV.

The commission’s action follows a presentation from Stephanie Groenauer, representing the applicant, who described a six‑story, 75‑foot building on 1.33 acres that would place the monorail station at the building’s ground level with multifamily units and limited ground‑floor commercial uses above. Staff and commissioners discussed waivers the applicant withdrew and conditions intended to address parking, access, and aviation noise.

The key condition added by staff and accepted by the applicant prohibits issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the multifamily units until the monorail station on the property has a certificate of occupancy and is “connected to and operational with the loop system.” The commission also required that design review occur as a public hearing to address parking if the monorail use permit later expires or the monorail ceases operation.

Public Works read three site‑access conditions into the record: require construction of full off‑site improvements in front of an existing northerly driveway shown on the plan, require that the proposed southern driveway be egress‑only, and require coordination with Public Works Development Review on the final design of that egress driveway to resolve turning movements and fire access. The applicant confirmed agreement with the conditions and said it would add ingress/egress signage.

Groenauer told the commission the project design reduces parking based on an expectation that residents will use the loop system, bus rapid transit and walking access to nearby employers and UNLV. She said some public‑works waivers were withdrawn after coordination and that the only remaining waiver was minor upper‑level encroachment into a 10‑foot front setback. She also said the applicant submitted an FAA review and expects compliance; the applicant agreed to noise‑attenuation measures and to notify residents about being in a flight corridor.

Commission discussion emphasized that parking reductions are contingent on the transit connection. Commissioner Gibson read the certificate‑of‑occupancy condition into the record and said the written condition is intended to prevent a future parking shortage if the monorail is not operating. Gibson moved approval subject to the read conditions; the motion passed.

The record indicates town board approval preceded the county vote; the application was described as a novel urban concept for the resort corridor. No public speakers opposed or requested changes during the county hearing.

Implementation steps identified in the hearing include final Public Works review of driveway design, compliance with FAA requirements as applicable, and an administrative design process for signage and egress details. The commission’s action approves the use permits and design review with the stated conditions.