The pinnacle of exurban development stupidity has been reached: a 25,000 unit subdivision 40 miles south of Hoover Dam, ie, 70 miles from the Strip....hmmm, that's only a hundred bucks a week (at today's prices) for the commute for gas, provided you don't go "into town" on the weekend.....<NG>
reviewjournal.com
25,000-home project clears Arizona snag
Developer will have enough water available for complex, agency says
By DAVE HAWKINS
SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL
KINGMAN, Ariz. -- A 25,000-home project in northwestern Arizona that could become a commuter town for Las Vegas has cleared a major hurdle.
Las Vegas businessman Leonard Mardian has received an initial determination of adequate water supply by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
His application proved an adequate 100-year water supply for the golf course and homes he plans to build at his Ranch at White Hills, off U.S. Highway 93 about 40 miles south of Hoover Dam.
"We're very happy about that," Mardian spokesman Brian Tassinari said.
The water agency sent Mardian a letter indicating he has more than enough groundwater to serve estimated demand of 7,976 acre-feet per year at full buildout. There are about 326,000 gallons in an acre-foot.
The average Las Vegas Valley household consumes about 230,000 gallons of water a year, according to the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Before he can start building, Mardian also must prove that his proposed Double Diamond Utilities Co. will be able to deliver suitable water to serve the development.
"This just provides an initial determination that the groundwater is available," said Jack LaVelle, Arizona Department of Water Resources spokesman.
He said Mardian can begin to plan each phase of the project and will have to obtain an adequacy report for each phase.
Mardian beat Las Vegas developer Jim Rhodes in earning an initial 100-year water adequacy determination.
Rhodes has a similar application pending for his 20,000-home Village at White Hills development that would pull water from the same Detrital Basin aquifer.
The water agency will now consider the 8,000 acre-feet of water per year that Mardian intends to use as committed from the basin.
"What this is is a placeholder for the Ranch at White Hills," water agency Director Herb Guenther said.
"This establishes priority for their construction in the aquifer above 1,200 feet for the development they specified," he said, referring to the depth of the aquifer from which the water will be drawn.
Rhodes spokesman Bill Marion declined comment Wednesday.
Both developers view their projects as future bedroom communities for Las Vegas, where land values have climbed as land availability has declined.
Commuting time between the two areas should be cut significantly when a new freeway bridge over the Colorado River just downstream from Hoover Dam opens in late 2008.
Mohave County Supervisor Pete Byers said his county so far has only provided some general planning approvals for Mardian and Rhodes projects at White Hills.
Byers said many more permits and approvals are required at the local and state level for full-fledged development of either venture.
"It's appropriate that public officials have input at every step of the way," Tassinari said. "It's a long process and we're still in the middle of it, and county and state officials will have plenty more to say about the shape and scope of this development."
Mardian said conservation components will be featured in his development.
"I am committed to making the Ranch at White Hills a model community for sustainable living in the Southwest," Mardian said.
"Our plans include the reuse of gray water, rainwater collection and native plant landscaping. Every home will be served with water and sewer instead of a septic and well combination."
SUSTAINABLE LIVING!?! ROTFLOLOL...... |
