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Planning commission backs creation of Redevelopment Area 3 in East Las Vegas
Summary
The Las Vegas Planning Commission voted to recommend establishing Redevelopment Area 3 after staff presented a blight study showing widespread property deterioration and a toolbox of incentives aimed at encouraging reinvestment in East Las Vegas. The plan will go to city council July 15.
The Las Vegas Planning Commission voted to recommend creating a new redevelopment area covering about 1,350 acres in East Las Vegas after hearing a staff presentation on Thursday night.
Redevelopment manager Tracy Reich and Alex Strausser of the city’s Department of Economic and Urban Development told commissioners the proposal follows the City of Las Vegas 2050 master plan and a street-level blight study. Strausser said the study found that “64% of the properties in this area showed visible signs of deterioration,” and that about 81 acres of vacant land in the area creates conditions that have led to illegal dumping and other public-safety concerns.
The redevelopment plan would let the city use tax-increment financing and a set of incentives geared toward local reinvestment, staff said. Examples include a visual-improvement rebate for exterior repairs, a tenant-improvement incentive for retail interiors, business-security grants of about $5,000 and a multifamily-renovation program for buildings with five or more units. Strausser said staff expects the revenues generated by the redevelopment area to be used only within that area.
Commissioners pressed staff about governance, timelines and whether the 30-year redevelopment timeline could be extended; staff said the typical timeline is 30 years and explained extensions and reimbursements can be factored into future amendments. Commissioner Rogan moved that the proposed area “meets the definition of blighted area under state statute” and recommended approval of the blight findings and redevelopment plan; the motion carried. The commission’s recommendation will go to city council on July 15.
Why it matters: City staff said the targeted neighborhood has older building stock, limited tree canopy and pedestrian-access issues that amplify the urban-heat island effect. The redevelopment tools aim to pair public investment with private reinvestment to address infrastructure, streetscape and safety concerns.
What’s next: The planning commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to city council; any approval there would start the process of establishing the redevelopment area and authorizing the financing and program elements staff described.
