Process Started In March 2006 With Much Community Input
On Wednesday, May 16 the Board of County Commissioners adopted the updated Laughlin Land Use Plan (LUP) which includes a new Transportation Element. This is the seventh land use plan update to take place since the County Commission overhauled its process for updating land-use plans in 2003. Due to Clark County’s rapid growth, most of the unincorporated county’s 11 land use plans undergo updates every five years. Citizen participation is considered a crucial link in the process.
The Laughlin update process started in March 2006 with an open house that month as well as another open house in July toward the end of the process. Open house participants gathered at several stations to discuss a variety of topics, including the area’s history, existing conditions, demographics, and community issues. As part of the update process, planners gather information at open houses and other public meetings, and work the feedback into the new land-use plans to balance the needs of the land-use areas. Planners also make themselves available to answer questions and explain elements of the process.
Major issues in Laughlin included residential housing, preservation of the Riverwalk, and accommodating growth while maintaining as much open space as possible.
Information gathered at the original open house was collected for a report stating the community vision, and draft list of community issues, opportunities and goals. The report was presented to the Laughlin Town Advisory Board. Workshops were conducted to develop a concept plan. The 21-member Planning Advisory Group (PAG) met to review public comments and consider changes to the plan. A preliminary draft plan was developed and was presented at the second open house where further requests and suggestions were gathered for incorporation into the final draft plan.
“It was very effective to have several people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds working together on this process,” said Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, whose commission district encompasses Laughlin. “Homeowners, business operators and builders had the chance to have their voices heard regarding development matters in Laughlin and guide that future development through land use planning.”
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