A.B. 182

 

Assembly Bill No. 182–Committee on Government Affairs

 

February 19, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Government Affairs

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes to process of land use planning in certain counties. (BDR 22‑57)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: No.

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to land use planning; expanding the subjects that must be included within a master plan in certain counties; limiting the number of annual amendments to the land use plan of the master plan in certain circumstances; revising provisions governing applications for changes in the boundaries of zoning districts, variances and special use permits with regard to property located within an unincorporated town; requiring members of a town advisory board to receive certain training; authorizing the election of members of a town advisory board in additional counties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. NRS 278.150 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-2    278.150  1.  The planning commission shall prepare and adopt a

1-3  comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the

1-4  city, county or region which in the commission’s judgment bears relation

1-5  to the planning thereof.

1-6    2.  The plan must be known as the master plan, and must be so

1-7  prepared that all or portions thereof, except as otherwise provided in

1-8  [subsection 3,] subsections 3 and 4, may be adopted by the governing

1-9  body, as provided in NRS 278.010 to 278.630, inclusive, as a basis for the

1-10  development of the city, county or region for such reasonable period of

1-11  time next ensuing after the adoption thereof as may practically be covered

1-12  thereby.

1-13    3.  In counties whose population is 100,000 or more[,] but less than

1-14  400,000, if the governing body of the city or county adopts only a portion

1-15  of the master plan, it shall include in that portion a conservation plan, a

1-16  housing plan and a population plan as provided in NRS 278.160.

 


2-1    4.  In counties whose population is 400,000 or more, the governing

2-2  body of the city or county shall adopt a master plan for all of the city or

2-3  county that must include each of the subjects set forth in subsection 1 of

2-4  NRS 278.160.

2-5    Sec. 2.  NRS 278.160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-6    278.160  1.  [The] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 of

2-7  NRS 278.150 and subsection 3 of NRS 278.170, the master plan, with the

2-8  accompanying charts, drawings, diagrams, schedules and reports, may

2-9  include such of the following subject matter or portions thereof as are

2-10  appropriate to the city, county or region, and as may be made the basis for

2-11  the physical development thereof:

2-12    (a) Community design. Standards and principles governing the

2-13  subdivision of land and suggestive patterns for community design and

2-14  development.

2-15    (b) Conservation plan. For the conservation, development and

2-16  utilization of natural resources, including water and its hydraulic force,

2-17  underground water, water supply, forests, soils, rivers and other waters,

2-18  harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals and other natural resources. The plan

2-19  must also cover the reclamation of land and waters, flood control,

2-20  prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters,

2-21  regulation of the use of land in stream channels and other areas required for

2-22  the accomplishment of the conservation plan, prevention, control and

2-23  correction of the erosion of soils through proper clearing, grading and

2-24  landscaping, beaches and shores, and protection of watersheds. The plan

2-25  must also indicate the maximum tolerable level of air pollution.

2-26    (c) Economic plan. Showing recommended schedules for the allocation

2-27  and expenditure of public money in order to provide for the economical

2-28  and timely execution of the various components of the plan.

2-29    (d) Historical properties preservation plan. An inventory of significant

2-30  historical, archaeological and architectural properties as defined by a city,

2-31  county or region, and a statement of methods to encourage the preservation

2-32  of those properties.

2-33    (e) Housing plan. The housing plan must include, but is not limited to:

2-34      (1) An inventory of housing conditions, needs and plans and

2-35  procedures for improving housing standards and for providing adequate

2-36  housing.

2-37      (2) An inventory of affordable housing in the community.

2-38      (3) An analysis of the demographic characteristics of the community.

2-39      (4) A determination of the present and prospective need for

2-40  affordable housing in the community.

2-41      (5) An analysis of any impediments to the development of affordable

2-42  housing and the development of policies to mitigate those impediments.

2-43      (6) An analysis of the characteristics of the land that is the most

2-44  appropriate for the construction of affordable housing.

2-45      (7) An analysis of the needs and appropriate methods for the

2-46  construction of affordable housing or the conversion or rehabilitation of

2-47  existing housing to affordable housing.

2-48      (8) A plan for maintaining and developing affordable housing to meet

2-49  the housing needs of the community.


3-1    (f) Land use plan. An inventory and classification of types of natural

3-2  land and of existing land cover and uses, and comprehensive plans for the

3-3  most desirable utilization of land. The land use plan may include a

3-4  provision concerning the acquisition and use of land that is under federal

3-5  management within the city, county or region, including, without

3-6  limitation, a plan or statement of policy prepared pursuant to NRS

3-7  321.7355.

3-8    (g) Population plan. An estimate of the total population which the

3-9  natural resources of the city, county or region will support on a continuing

3-10  basis without unreasonable impairment.

3-11    (h) Public buildings. Showing locations and arrangement of civic

3-12  centers and all other public buildings, including the architecture thereof

3-13  and the landscape treatment of the grounds thereof.

3-14    (i) Public services and facilities. Showing general plans for sewage,

3-15  drainage and utilities, and rights of way, easements and facilities therefor,

3-16  including any utility projects required to be reported pursuant to NRS

3-17  278.145.

3-18    (j) Recreation plan. Showing a comprehensive system of recreation

3-19  areas, including natural reservations, parks, parkways, trails, reserved

3-20  riverbank strips, beaches, playgrounds and other recreation areas,

3-21  including, when practicable, the locations and proposed development

3-22  thereof.

3-23    (k) Rural neighborhoods preservation plan. In any county whose

3-24  population is 400,000 or more, showing general plans to preserve the

3-25  character and density of rural neighborhoods.

3-26    (l) Safety plan. In any county whose population is 400,000 or more,

3-27  identifying potential types of natural and man-made hazards, including

3-28  hazards from floods, landslides or fires, or resulting from the manufacture,

3-29  storage, transfer or use of bulk quantities of hazardous materials. The plan

3-30  may set forth policies for avoiding or minimizing the risks from those

3-31  hazards.

3-32    (m) School facilities plan. Showing the general locations of current and

3-33  future school facilities based upon information furnished by the appropriate

3-34  local school district.

3-35    (n) Seismic safety plan. Consisting of an identification and appraisal of

3-36  seismic hazards such as susceptibility to surface ruptures from faulting, to

3-37  ground shaking or to ground failures.

3-38    (o) Solid waste disposal plan. Showing general plans for the disposal of

3-39  solid waste.

3-40    (p) Streets and highways plan. Showing the general locations and

3-41  widths of a comprehensive system of major traffic thoroughfares and other

3-42  traffic ways and of streets and the recommended treatment thereof,

3-43  building line setbacks, and a system of naming or numbering streets and

3-44  numbering houses, with recommendations concerning proposed changes.

3-45    (q) Transit plan. Showing a proposed multimodal system of transit

3-46  lines, including [rapid] mass transit, streetcar, motorcoach and trolley

3-47  coach lines , paths for bicycles and pedestrians, and related facilities.

 


4-1    (r) Transportation plan. Showing a comprehensive transportation

4-2  system, including locations of rights of way, terminals, viaducts and grade

4-3  separations. The plan may also include port, harbor, aviation and related

4-4  facilities.

4-5    2.  The commission may prepare and adopt, as part of the master plan,

4-6  other and additional plans and reports dealing with such other subjects as

4-7  may in its judgment relate to the physical development of the city, county

4-8  or region, and nothing contained in NRS 278.010 to 278.630, inclusive,

4-9  prohibits the preparation and adoption of any such subject as a part of the

4-10  master plan.

4-11    Sec. 3.  NRS 278.170 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-12    278.170  1.  [The] Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and

4-13  3, the commission may prepare and adopt all or any part of the master plan

4-14  or any subject thereof[, except as provided in subsection 2,] for all or any

4-15  part of the city, county or region. Master regional plans must be

4-16  coordinated with similar plans of adjoining regions, and master county and

4-17  city plans within each region must be coordinated so as to fit properly into

4-18  the master plan for the region.

4-19    2.  In counties whose population is 100,000 or more[,] but less than

4-20  400,000, if the commission prepares and adopts less than all subjects of the

4-21  master plan, as outlined in NRS 278.160, it shall include, in its preparation

4-22  and adoption, the conservation, housing and population plans described in

4-23  that section.

4-24    3.  In counties whose population is 400,000 or more, the commission

4-25  shall prepare and adopt a master plan for all of the city or county that

4-26  must include each of the subjects set forth in subsection 1 of NRS

4-27  278.160.

4-28    Sec. 4.  NRS 278.210 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-29    278.210  1.  Before adopting the master plan or any part of it[,] in

4-30  accordance with NRS 278.170, or any substantial amendment thereof, the

4-31  commission shall hold at least one public hearing thereon, notice of the

4-32  time and place of which [shall] must be given at least by one publication in

4-33  a newspaper of general circulation in the city or county, or in the case of a

4-34  regional planning commission, by one publication in a newspaper in each

4-35  county within the regional district, at least 10 days before the day of the

4-36  hearing.

4-37    2.  The adoption of the master plan, or of any amendment, extension or

4-38  addition thereof, [shall] must be by resolution of the commission carried by

4-39  the affirmative votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of

4-40  the commission. The resolution [shall] must refer expressly to the maps,

4-41  descriptive matter and other matter intended by the commission to

4-42  constitute the plan or any amendment, addition or extension thereof, and

4-43  the action taken [shall] must be recorded on the map and plan and

4-44  descriptive matter by the identifying signatures of the secretary and

4-45  chairman of the commission.

4-46    3.  No plan or map, hereafter, [shall] may have indicated thereon that it

4-47  is a part of the master plan until it [shall have] has been adopted as part of

4-48  the master plan by the commission as herein provided for the adoption


5-1  thereof, whenever changed conditions or further studies by the commission

5-2  require such amendments, extension, or addition.

5-3    4.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the commission

5-4  shall not amend the land use plan of the master plan set forth in

5-5  paragraph (f) of subsection 1 of NRS 278.160 more than four times in a

5-6  calendar year. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a change

5-7  in the land use designated for a particular area if the change does not

5-8  affect more than 25 percent of the area.

5-9    5. An attested copy of any part, amendment, extension of or addition

5-10  to the master plan adopted by the planning commission of any city, county

5-11  or region [shall] in accordance with NRS 278.170 must be certified to the

5-12  governing body of [such] the city, county or region.

5-13    [5.] 6.  An attested copy of any part, amendment, extension of or

5-14  addition to the master plan adopted by any regional planning commission

5-15  [shall] must be certified to the county planning commission and to the

5-16  board of county commissioners of each county within the regional district.

5-17    Sec. 5.  NRS 278.220 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-18    278.220  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 of NRS

5-19  278.150:

5-20    1.  Upon receipt of a certified copy of the master plan, or of any part

5-21  thereof, as adopted by the planning commission, the governing body may

5-22  adopt such parts thereof as may practicably be applied to the development

5-23  of the city, county or region for a reasonable period of time next ensuing.

5-24    2.  The parts [shall] must thereupon be endorsed and certified as master

5-25  plans thus adopted for the territory covered, and are hereby declared to be

5-26  established to conserve and promote the public health, safety and general

5-27  welfare.

5-28    3.  Before adopting any plan or part thereof, the governing body shall

5-29  hold at least one public hearing thereon, notice of the time and place of

5-30  which [shall] must be published at least once in a newspaper of general

5-31  circulation in the city or counties at least 10 days before the day of hearing.

5-32    4.  No change in or addition to the master plan or any part thereof, as

5-33  adopted by the planning commission, [shall] may be made by the

5-34  governing body in adopting the same until the proposed change or addition

5-35  [shall have] has been referred to the planning commission for a report

5-36  thereon and an attested copy of the report [shall have] has been filed with

5-37  the governing body. Failure of the planning commission so to report within

5-38  40 days, or such longer period as may be designated by the governing

5-39  body, after such reference shall be deemed to be approval of the proposed

5-40  change or addition.

5-41    Sec. 6.  NRS 278.230 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-42    278.230  1.  [Whenever] Except as otherwise provided in subsection

5-43  4 of NRS 278.150, whenever the governing body of any city or county has

5-44  adopted a master plan or part thereof for the city or county, or for any

5-45  major section or district thereof, the governing body shall, upon

5-46  recommendation of the planning commission, determine upon reasonable

5-47  and practical means for putting into effect the master plan or part thereof,

5-48  in order that the same will serve as:


6-1    (a) A pattern and guide for that kind of orderly physical growth and

6-2  development of the city or county which will cause the least amount of

6-3  natural resource impairment and will conform to the adopted population

6-4  plan, where required, and ensure an adequate supply of housing, including

6-5  affordable housing; and

6-6    (b) A basis for the efficient expenditure of funds thereof relating to the

6-7  subjects of the master plan.

6-8    2.  The governing body may adopt and use such procedure as may be

6-9  necessary for this purpose.

6-10    Sec. 7.  NRS 278.260 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-11    278.260  1.  The governing body shall provide for the manner in

6-12  which zoning regulations and restrictions and the boundaries of zoning

6-13  districts are determined, established, enforced and amended.

6-14    2.  A zoning regulation, restriction or boundary or an amendment

6-15  thereto must not become effective until after presentation of the matter

6-16  pursuant to subsection 5, if applicable, and after a public hearing at

6-17  which parties in interest and other persons have an opportunity to be heard.

6-18  The governing body shall cause notice of the time and place of the hearing

6-19  to be:

6-20    (a) Published in an official newspaper, or a newspaper of general

6-21  circulation, in the city, county or region; and

6-22    (b) Mailed to each tenant of a mobile home park if that park is located

6-23  within 300 feet of the property in question,

6-24  at least 10 days before the hearing.

6-25    3.  If [the] a proposed amendment involves a change in the boundary of

6-26  a zoning district in a county whose population is less than 400,000, the

6-27  governing body shall, to the extent this notice does not duplicate the notice

6-28  required by subsection 2, cause a notice to be sent at least 10 days before

6-29  the hearing to:

6-30    (a) The applicant;

6-31    (b) Each owner, as listed on the county assessor’s records, of real

6-32  property located within 300 feet of the portion of the boundary being

6-33  changed;

6-34    (c) Each [owner,] of the owners, as listed on the county assessor’s

6-35  records, of at least the 30 parcels nearest to the portion of the boundary

6-36  being changed, to the extent this notice does not duplicate the notice given

6-37  pursuant to paragraph (b); and

6-38    (d) Any advisory board which has been established for the affected area

6-39  by the governing body.

6-40  The notice must be sent by mail or, if requested by a party to whom notice

6-41  must be provided pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, by electronic

6-42  means if receipt of such an electronic notice can be verified, and be written

6-43  in language which is easy to understand. The notice must set forth the time,

6-44  place and purpose of the hearing and a physical description of, or a map

6-45  detailing, the proposed change, must indicate the existing zoning

6-46  designation, and the proposed zoning designation, of the property in

6-47  question, and must contain a brief summary of the intent of the proposed

6-48  change. If the proposed amendment involves a change in the boundary of

6-49  the zoning district that would reduce the density or intensity with which a


7-1  parcel of land may be used, the notice must include a section that an owner

7-2  of property may complete and return to the governing body to indicate his

7-3  approval of or opposition to the proposed amendment.

7-4    4.  If [the] a proposed amendment involves a change in the boundary of

7-5  a zoning district in a county whose population is 400,000 or more, the

7-6  governing body shall, to the extent this notice does not duplicate the notice

7-7  required by subsection 2, cause a notice to be sent at least 10 days before

7-8  the hearing to:

7-9    (a) The applicant;

7-10    (b) Each owner, as listed on the county assessor’s records, of real

7-11  property located within 500 feet [from] of the portion of the boundary

7-12  being changed;

7-13    (c) Each [owner,] of the owners, as listed on the county assessor’s

7-14  records, of at least the 30 parcels nearest to the portion of the boundary

7-15  being changed, to the extent this notice does not duplicate the notice given

7-16  pursuant to paragraph (b); and

7-17    (d) Any advisory board which has been established for the affected area

7-18  by the governing body.

7-19  The notice must be sent by mail or, if requested by a party to whom notice

7-20  must be provided pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, by electronic

7-21  means if receipt of such an electronic notice can be verified, and be written

7-22  in language which is easy to understand. The notice must set forth the time,

7-23  place and purpose of the hearing and a physical description of, or a map

7-24  detailing, the proposed change, must indicate the existing zoning

7-25  designation, and the proposed zoning designation, of the property in

7-26  question, and must contain a brief summary of the intent of the proposed

7-27  change. If the proposed amendment involves a change in the boundary of

7-28  the zoning district that would reduce the density or intensity with which a

7-29  parcel of land may be used, the notice must include a section that an owner

7-30  of property may complete and return to the governing body to indicate his

7-31  approval of or opposition to the proposed amendment.

7-32    5.  If a proposed amendment involves a change in the boundary of a

7-33  zoning district within an unincorporated town, the applicant shall

7-34  present the information contained in the application at a meeting of the

7-35  town board, citizens’ advisory council or town advisory board, whichever

7-36  is applicable, of the unincorporated town before a hearing is held on the

7-37  application pursuant to subsection 2. The town board, citizens’ advisory

7-38  council or town advisory board may make recommendations regarding

7-39  the application and submit its recommendations for consideration at the

7-40  hearing held pursuant to subsection 2. The governing body or other

7-41  person or entity that is authorized to take action on the application at the

7-42  hearing held pursuant to subsection 2 shall not take action on the

7-43  application until it receives recommendations from the town board,

7-44  citizens’ advisory council or town advisory board regarding the

7-45  application or evidence from the applicant that he presented the

7-46  information contained in the application at a meeting of the town board,

7-47  citizens’ advisory council or town advisory board. The governing body or

7-48  other authorized person or entity shall consider any recommendations

7-49  made by the town board, citizens’ advisory council or town advisory


8-1  board regarding the application. If the governing body or other

8-2  authorized person or entity does not accept any such recommendation,

8-3  the governing body or other authorized person or entity shall make a

8-4  written finding specifying the reasons for its refusal to accept the

8-5  recommendation.

8-6    6.  If a notice is required to be sent pursuant to subsection 4:

8-7    (a) The exterior of a notice sent by mail; or

8-8    (b) The cover sheet, heading or subject line of a notice sent by

8-9  electronic means,

8-10  must bear a statement in at least 10-point bold type or font in substantially

8-11  the following form:

 

8-12  OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

8-13    [6.] 7.  In addition to sending the notice required pursuant to

8-14  subsection 4, in a county whose population is 400,000 or more, the

8-15  governing body shall, not later than 10 days before the hearing, erect or

8-16  cause to be erected on the property, at least one sign not less than 2 feet

8-17  high and 2 feet wide. The sign must be made of material reasonably

8-18  calculated to withstand the elements for 40 days. The governing body must

8-19  be consistent in its use of colors for the background and lettering of the

8-20  sign. The sign must include the following information:

8-21    (a) The existing zoning designation of the property in question;

8-22    (b) The proposed zoning designation of the property in question;

8-23    (c) The date, time and place of the public hearing;

8-24    (d) A telephone number which may be used by interested persons to

8-25  obtain additional information; and

8-26    (e) A statement which indicates whether the proposed zoning

8-27  designation of the property in question complies with the requirements of

8-28  the master plan of the city or county in which the property is located.

8-29    [7.] 8. A sign required pursuant to subsection [6] 7 is for

8-30  informational purposes only, and must be erected regardless of any local

8-31  ordinance regarding the size, placement or composition of signs to the

8-32  contrary.

8-33    [8.] 9.  A governing body may charge an additional fee for each

8-34  application to amend an existing zoning regulation, restriction or boundary

8-35  to cover the actual costs resulting from the mailed notice required by this

8-36  section and the erection of not more than one of the signs required by

8-37  subsection [6,] 7, if any. The additional fee is not subject to the limitation

8-38  imposed by NRS 354.5989.

8-39    [9.] 10.  The governing body shall remove or cause to be removed any

8-40  sign required by subsection [6] 7 within 5 days after the final hearing for

8-41  the application for which the sign was erected. There must be no additional

8-42  charge to the applicant for such removal.

8-43    [10.] 11.  If a proposed amendment involves a change in the boundary

8-44  of a zoning district in a county whose population is 400,000 or more that

8-45  would reduce the density or intensity with which a parcel of land may be

8-46  used and at least 20 percent of the property owners to whom notices were

8-47  sent pursuant to [subsections 3 and] subsection 4 indicate in their


9-1  responses opposition to the proposed amendment, the governing body shall

9-2  not approve the proposed amendment unless the governing body:

9-3    (a) Considers separately the merits of each aspect of the proposed

9-4  amendment to which the owners expressed opposition; and

9-5    (b) Makes a written finding that the public interest and necessity will be

9-6  promoted by approval of the proposed amendment.

9-7    [11.] 12.  The governing body of a county whose population is

9-8  400,000 or more shall not approve a zoning regulation, restriction or

9-9  boundary, or [the] an amendment thereof, that affects any unincorporated

9-10  area of the county that is surrounded completely by the territory of an

9-11  incorporated city without sending a notice to the governing body of the

9-12  city. The governing body of the city, or its designee, must submit any

9-13  recommendations to the governing body of the county within 15 days after

9-14  receiving the notice. The governing body of the county shall consider any

9-15  such recommendations. If the governing body of the county does not

9-16  accept a recommendation, the governing body of the county, or its

9-17  authorized agent, shall specify for the record the reasons for its action.

9-18    Sec. 8.  NRS 278.315 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-19    278.315  1.  The governing body may provide by ordinance for the

9-20  granting of variances, special use permits, conditional use permits or other

9-21  special exceptions by the board of adjustment, the planning commission or

9-22  a hearing examiner appointed pursuant to NRS 278.262. The governing

9-23  body may impose this duty entirely on the board, commission or examiner,

9-24  respectively, or provide for the granting of enumerated categories of

9-25  variances, special use permits, conditional use permits or special

9-26  exceptions by the board, commission or examiner.

9-27    2.  A hearing to consider an application for the granting of a variance,

9-28  special use permit, conditional use permit or special exception must be held

9-29  before the board of adjustment, planning commission or hearing examiner

9-30  within 65 days after the filing of the application, unless a longer time or a

9-31  different process of review is provided in an agreement entered into

9-32  pursuant to NRS 278.0201. A notice setting forth the time, place and

9-33  purpose of the hearing must be sent by mail at least 10 days before the

9-34  hearing to:

9-35    (a) The applicant;

9-36    (b) Each owner of real property located within 300 feet of the property

9-37  in question;

9-38    (c) If a mobile home park is located within 300 feet of the property in

9-39  question, each tenant of that mobile home park; and

9-40    (d) Any advisory board which has been established for the affected area

9-41  by the governing body.

9-42  The notice must be sent by mail or, if requested by a party to whom notice

9-43  must be provided pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, by electronic

9-44  means if receipt of such an electronic notice can be verified, and be written

9-45  in language which is easy to understand. The notice must set forth the time,

9-46  place and purpose of the hearing and a physical description or map of the

9-47  property in question.

9-48    3.  If the application is for the issuance of a special use permit in a

9-49  county whose population is 100,000 or more, the governing body shall, to


10-1  the extent this notice does not duplicate the notice required by subsection

10-2  2, cause a notice to be sent at least 10 days before the hearing to each

10-3  [owner,] of the owners, as listed on the county assessor’s records, of at

10-4  least the 30 parcels nearest to the property in question. The notice must be

10-5  sent by mail or, if requested by an owner to whom notice must be provided,

10-6  by electronic means if receipt of such an electronic notice can be verified,

10-7  and be written in language which is easy to understand. The notice must set

10-8  forth the time, place and purpose of the hearing and a physical description

10-9  or map of the property in question.

10-10  4.  If an application is for the issuance of a variance or special use

10-11  permit with regard to property that is located within an unincorporated

10-12  town, the applicant shall present the information contained in the

10-13  application at a meeting of the town board, citizens’ advisory council or

10-14  town advisory board, whichever is applicable, of the unincorporated town

10-15  before a hearing is held on the application pursuant to subsection 2. The

10-16  town board, citizens’ advisory council or town advisory board may make

10-17  recommendations regarding the application and submit its

10-18  recommendations for consideration at the hearing held pursuant to

10-19  subsection 2. The governing body or other person or entity that is

10-20  authorized to take action on the application at the hearing held pursuant

10-21  to subsection 2 shall not take action on the application until it receives

10-22  recommendations from the town board, citizens’ advisory council or

10-23  town advisory board regarding the application or evidence from the

10-24  applicant that he presented the information contained in the application

10-25  at a meeting of the town board, citizens’ advisory council or town

10-26  advisory board. The governing body or other authorized person or entity

10-27  shall consider any recommendations made by the town board, citizens’

10-28  advisory council or town advisory board regarding the application. If the

10-29  governing body or other authorized person or entity does not accept any

10-30  such recommendation, the governing body or other authorized person or

10-31  entity shall make a written finding specifying the reasons for its refusal

10-32  to accept the recommendation.

10-33  5.  An ordinance adopted pursuant to this section must provide an

10-34  opportunity for the applicant or a protestant to appeal from a decision of

10-35  the board of adjustment, planning commission or hearing examiner to the

10-36  governing body.

10-37  [5.] 6.  In a county whose population is 400,000 or more, if the

10-38  application is for the issuance of a special use permit for an establishment

10-39  which serves alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off of the

10-40  premises as its primary business in a district which is not a gaming

10-41  enterprise district as defined in NRS 463.0158, the governing body shall, in

10-42  addition to sending the notice required pursuant to subsection 3, not later

10-43  than 10 days before the hearing, erect or cause to be erected on the

10-44  property, at least one sign not less than 2 feet high and 2 feet wide. The

10-45  sign must be made of material reasonably calculated to withstand the

10-46  elements for 40 days. The governing body must be consistent in its use of

10-47  colors for the background and lettering of the sign. The sign must include

10-48  the following information:


11-1    (a) The existing permitted use and zoning designation of the property in

11-2  question;

11-3    (b) The proposed permitted use of the property in question;

11-4    (c) The date, time and place of the public hearing; and

11-5    (d) A telephone number which may be used by interested persons to

11-6  obtain additional information.

11-7    [6.] 7.  A sign required pursuant to subsection [5] 6 is for

11-8  informational purposes only, and must be erected regardless of any local

11-9  ordinance regarding the size, placement or composition of signs to the

11-10  contrary.

11-11  [7.] 8.  A governing body may charge an additional fee for each

11-12  application for a special use permit to cover the actual costs resulting from

11-13  the erection of not more than one sign required by subsection [5,] 6, if any.

11-14  The additional fee is not subject to the limitation imposed by NRS

11-15  354.5989.

11-16  [8.] 9.  The governing body shall remove or cause to be removed any

11-17  sign required by subsection [5] 6 within 5 days after the final hearing for

11-18  the application for which the sign was erected. There must be no additional

11-19  charge to the applicant for such removal.

11-20  [9.] 10.  The provisions of this section do not apply to an application

11-21  for a conditional use permit filed pursuant to NRS 278.147.

11-22  Sec. 9.  Chapter 269 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

11-23  new section to read as follows:

11-24  Each member of a town advisory board shall, at least twice during the

11-25  first year of his initial term of office and at least during every subsequent

11-26  year that he serves in office, attend training relating to:

11-27  1.  State statutes and regulations and local ordinances, resolutions

11-28  and regulations concerning land use planning; and

11-29  2.  The provisions of chapter 241 of NRS.

11-30  Sec. 10.  NRS 269.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-31  269.500  NRS 269.500 to 269.625, inclusive, and section 9 of this act

11-32  may be cited as the Unincorporated Town Government Law.

11-33  Sec. 11.  NRS 269.576 is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-34  269.576  1.  Except as appointment may be deferred pursuant to NRS

11-35  269.563, the board of county commissioners of any county whose

11-36  population is 400,000 or more shall, in each ordinance which establishes an

11-37  unincorporated town pursuant to NRS 269.500 to 269.625, inclusive,

11-38  provide for:

11-39  (a) Appointment by the board of county commissioners or the election

11-40  by the registered voters of the unincorporated town of three or five

11-41  qualified electors who are residents of the unincorporated town to serve as

11-42  the town advisory board. If the ordinance provides for appointment by the

11-43  board of county commissioners, in making such appointments, the board

11-44  of county commissioners shall consider:

11-45     (1) Reappointment of any member of the town advisory board who

11-46  is currently serving on the town advisory board and who notifies the

11-47  board of county commissioners of his desire to be reappointed;

11-48     (2) The results of any poll conducted by the town advisory board;

11-49  and


12-1      (3) Any application submitted to the board of county commissioners

12-2  by persons who desire to be appointed to the town advisory board in

12-3  response to an announcement made by the town advisory board.

12-4    (b) Terms for members of the town advisory board, which must expire

12-5  on the first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year.

12-6    (c) Removal of a member of the town advisory board if the board of

12-7  county commissioners finds that his removal is in the best interest of the

12-8  residents of the unincorporated town, and for appointment of a member to

12-9  serve the unexpired term of the member so removed.

12-10  2.  The duties of the town advisory board are to:

12-11  (a) Assist the board of county commissioners in governing the

12-12  unincorporated town by acting as liaison between the residents of the town

12-13  and the board of county commissioners; and

12-14  (b) Advise the board of county commissioners on matters of importance

12-15  to the unincorporated town and its residents.

12-16  3.  The board of county commissioners may provide by ordinance for

12-17  compensation for the members of the town advisory board.

12-18  Sec. 12.  1.  This section and sections 1, 2, 3, 5 to 8, inclusive, 10 and

12-19  11 of this act become effective on October 1, 2001.

12-20  2.  Sections 4 and 9 of this act become effective on January 1, 2002.

 

12-21  H