Council sets comprehensive-plan hearing for Oct. 1 (evening) with deliberations Oct. 2

The Clark County Council narrowed the schedule for its long-awaited comprehensive-plan public hearing after an extended discussion about fairness, legal notice requirements and public access.

Kathleen, a county staffer, briefed councilors on the timeline: a Sept. 16 work session with planning commission recommendations, and a hearing originally noticed for Monday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. Legal and staff constraints tied to posting timelines prompted councilors to consider multiple options, including providing an evening session so working residents could attend.

"If we do the public hearing Thursday evening and deliberate on Friday morning, that gives staff time to draft the ordinance and gives people an evening opportunity to testify," one councilor said during the discussion. Oliver (staff) and Amber Smith, chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney, cautioned that notice rules (generally 15 days for certain actions) and quasi-judicial elements require consistent application of any time limits on public comment. The council agreed to hold presentations and public comment starting Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4:00 p.m., continue publicly on Friday, Oct. 2 at 10:00 a.m. for deliberations, and keep Monday, Oct. 5 as a placeholder if additional time is required.

Staff committed to post notices consistent with the county's rules of procedure and to coordinate with the planning commission on timing. The council also asked staff to consider how to allow broad public participation without compromising legal notice and fairness.