Luxury builder scraps plans for new Las Vegas project following widespread opposition

After facing widespread opposition from the neighbors, luxury homebuilder Blue Heron has scrapped its plans for a new subdivision in an older section of Las Vegas.

Land-use attorney Stephanie Gronauer, representing Blue Heron, told city officials in a letter Wednesday that the builder was withdrawing its application for the project. She did not provide a reason.

The Las Vegas Planning Commission was slated to consider the project on Nov. 10, after the builder asked to delay the originally scheduled vote last month following neighbors’ complaints.

Blue Heron initially filed plans for a 61-lot housing tract on nearly 12.9 acres at the southeast corner of Alta and Campbell drives, seeking dozens of variances for a densely packed project that city staff and neighbors said didn’t fit with the area.

As seen on a recent visit to the neighborhood, numerous signs opposing the development were scattered throughout the area.

Many homes had a sign out front that declared “Say No To Blue Heron” inside of a red Stop sign, while a few other signs featured a cartoon pig wearing lipstick, next to the messages “No Blue Heron” and “No Lipstick On A Pig.”

One version of that sign featured a pig standing on two feet, with a grin, wearing a blue t-shirt that declared “Blue Heron Homes.”

The builder told the Las Vegas Review-Journal last month that it was revising its project plans “to reduce density and address other concerns” and that it remained “committed to creating an outstanding community that fits the character of the neighborhood.”

Las Vegas City Councilman Brian Knudsen, whose ward includes the project site, said on social media last week that the developers were “working diligently” to revise their plans “based on the neighborhood’s feedback” and that they had now proposed a 37-home project.

However, Knudsen announced online this week that Blue Heron’s project applications had been withdrawn, without saying why, and he posted a copy of Gronauer’s letter.

The Review-Journal obtained a copy of the letter from the city’s public information office, and city spokesman Jace Radke said the developer can resubmit the project or a new version of it if they choose.

Still, because it withdrew the plans, the builder would have to go back through the application process again, he said.

A representative for Blue Heron did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Eli Segall at [email protected] or 702-383-0342.