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Pahrump panel denies request to keep billboard, adjacent gas station applicant withdraws CUP
Summary
The Pahrump Regional Planning Commission on March 12 denied a request to reconsider a billboard-removal condition at 5511 South Nevada Highway 160 and accepted the applicant's withdrawal, without prejudice, of a conditional use permit application for fuel dispensing on adjacent parcels.
The Pahrump Regional Planning Commission on March 12 denied a request to reconsider a condition that would have required removal of a billboard on property at 5511 South Nevada Highway 160, and the applicant subsequently withdrew a separate conditional use permit application for fuel dispensing on adjacent parcels without prejudice.
The commission voted to deny the reconsideration of Special Condition 8 — removal of the billboard and superstructure — for CU 24-42, following staff advice that the billboard is noncompliant with the county's 2023 master plan update. Brian R. Hardy, attorney for the applicant, asked the commission to allow the billboard to remain and be upgraded with landscaping and energy-efficient lighting to mitigate visual impacts but commissioners said they were bound by the adopted master plan and staff findings.
The action followed a separate agenda item for a proposed 5,000-square-foot convenience store and fuel dispensing facility on adjoining parcels. Staff recommended approval of the fuel CUP, subject to a condition requiring removal of the billboard by October 2, 2025. During public discussion, several commissioners and members of the public pressed for stronger environmental protections tied to any fuel operation because of nearby wellheads and flood risk.
Daniel Weeks, general manager of the Nye County Water District (speaking as a private citizen), told the commission the well near the site falls within a two-year capture zone and warned that "in the case of a catastrophic leak... this well could be contaminated" and urged thorough containment measures and review by the water district.
After extended discussion about containment and site-development review, the applicant's attorney said his clients would rather preserve flexibility for commercial leases and indicated they would "withdraw... without prejudice" to pursue an alternative (for example, a quick-service restaurant). The commission accepted the withdrawal of CU 24-54 without prejudice, allowing the applicant to reapply later.
Votes at the meeting: The commission voted to deny the reconsideration of CU 24-42 (billboard removal condition) based on staff findings and to accept the applicant's motion to withdraw CU 24-54 without prejudice. The decisions mean the billboard-removal condition remains in place for the underlying approval and the proposed fuel facility will not be considered further unless and until the applicant files a new application.
The commission's decision on the billboard is a final action for the RPC subject to appeal to the Board of County Commissioners. The applicant may return with a redesign or a different land-use proposal in a future hearing.
Ending: The commission's actions leave the billboard-removal condition intact and remove the immediate question of a fuel-dispensing facility at the adjacent parcel, while preserving the applicant's option to reapply.
