Las Vegas gas station project’s replacement presentation spurs feedback from neighborhood

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – “Thank you,” LaRae DiCamillo said under her breath.

The grandmother had been fighting for months to change a developer’s mind on a Las Vegas gas station project, and now the easel in front of her illustrated her cries were finally heard.

Around 10 residents from the Trail Ridge neighborhood sat for a presentation by Elisebeth Olsen, a Kaempfer and Crowell partner representing the interests of Mass Equities, who showed where the gas station replacement would like near Blue Diamond and Durango.

On the east side of the property is a drive-thru fast-food restaurant and an oil change facility was presented, but residents asked if a retail space or sit-down restaurant could be considered instead.

“I wouldn’t be here if [Mass Equities] weren’t even willing to have the discussion,” Olsen said. “We will not file anything or making any final changes until we let you know.”

Residents expressed they were encouraged by Olsen’s presentation, and resoundingly thanked her when they learned she petitioned to keep a fast-food call box from sitting behind their backyard walls.

However, all in attendance expressed they would much rather see a proposal that did not include any facility with a large oil or gas impact adjacent to their homes.

The change and presentation follow pressure from Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones’s office on the developer to consider an alternative.

“The commissioner contacted us and asked if the developer would be interested in removing the gas station,” Olsen said. “Due to people’s feedback at the meeting.”

Jones had asked at a May 8 Clark County Commission meeting for the developer to build 15 feet of landscaping between the development and residents’ backyard walls.

The planned liquor store, sit-down restaurant, and retail space on the west side of the lot are planned to be built first, according to Olsen.

Olsen said once the project begins construction it will take from 9 months to a year to complete, based on a project of its size.

Who is the hero?

LaRae and her husband Mike DiCamillo continued to examine the blueprint on the easel and said they felt heard following the presentation from the developer.

“The developers are our heroes,” LaRae said. “They’re the ones that are making the good change, and I’m sure this has cost them a lot of money. They’re concerned about us and are treating us like human beings.”

For four months the two grandparents have been making their case as to why a gas station posed a health risk for them and their grandchildren—by citing a county ordinance .

Residents presented the county ordinance at the May 8 Clark County Board of Commissioners meeting and were denied its relevance by Commissioner Justin Jones, who voted in favor in a unanimous vote.

8 News Now was the first to report Commissioner Jones’s office submitted a recent letter to the property developer, requesting an alternative use for the property.

LaRae expressed doubt about the reasoning behind Commissioner Jones’s actions citing a recent lawsuit and investigation.

“Commissioner Jones is not doing this to help us,” LaRae said. “He’s trying to look like the hero here, he’s doing this to help himself.”

Other concerns surrounding a Red Rock project appeared to concern LaRae who expressed she would not support him in an upcoming election.

“We need someone that truly cares about the people,” she said.

Mike Shannon, a liaison from Commissioner Jones’s office, attended the meeting and was on hand to speak with residents.

LaRae walked from the blueprint to her neighbors who she hugged with a teary face, thanking them for supporting her push for a not-so-easy change .

“I would like to thank Jeffrey, Shannon, and Greg,” she said. “And I especially want to thank my husband for being my rock.”

Plans are still not finalized for the property, but representatives for the developer said they would notify the neighborhood with plans based on feedback.

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