Las Vegas City Council Regular Meeting - December 17, 2025
Las Vegas City Council Regular Meeting - December 17, 2025
The Las Vegas City Council convened on December 17, 2025, for a regular meeting that began with ceremonial items including the swearing-in of a new municipal judge, recognition of the Employee of the Month (Tom Burkhart), and the Citizen of the Month (The Just One Project). The council addressed a wide range of land use, public hearing, and administrative items, with notable discussions on veteran housing, transit-oriented development, and a comprehensive urban forestry management plan. The meeting lasted from approximately 9:30 AM until late afternoon.
Consent Calendar
- Items 11–31 were approved en bloc as routine consent items, including various administrative approvals, contracts, and minor land use actions.
- Items 41A–B (land use consent) were also approved en bloc with the exception of Item 43, which was pulled for separate discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Eric Melchizedek Christ Nimrod spoke in support of public education and national fitness programs, tying them to biblical references.
- Michelle Baker (Community Manager, Lakes Association) and Daniel Hall (resident) expressed concerns about Item 43 (Kalita Residential development), stating they received inadequate notification and objecting to the density increase and potential traffic impacts. Baker requested a restart of the notification process.
- Sheldon Volgats and Daniel Hall spoke during the public hearing for Item 43, reiterating traffic, height, and notification concerns. Volgats questioned the traffic study process, asking what happens if a later study shows the development cannot be supported.
- Tim Shaw, Bruce Cowan, Jacob Taylor, Jesse Gomez, and William Hubert spoke in favor of Item 56 (multifamily development on 13th Street), citing the need for affordable housing and improved aesthetics.
Discussion Items
- Item 32–34: Sale of City Property for Veteran Housing – The council opened a public hearing on the fair market value ($8,960,000) of the city-owned property at 6211 Vegas Valley Drive. Bob Gronauer (representing Patriot Housing) presented a plan to develop 14.7 acres for 348 housing units (108 supportive, 240 affordable) for veterans. The property was to be sold for less than fair market value. Council approved Resolution R-89-2025 (Item 34) and the letter of intent (Item 33) unanimously.
- Item 43: Kalita Residential – General Plan Amendment (TOD2 to TOC1) – Applicant Bob Gronauer requested a density increase from 30 to 40 units per acre on 28 acres near Sahara Avenue and Crystal Waterway. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Councilwoman Kelly asked about notifications (staff confirmed proper notice was sent), traffic studies (to be done later), and future neighborhood involvement (applicant committed to another meeting). Despite public opposition, the council voted to approve.
- Item 51: Appeal of Variance Denial for Home Additions (3520 Mira Mar Drive) – Applicant Yelene Freeman sought to permit existing unpermitted additions. Staff and Planning Commission recommended denial, citing self-imposed hardship. Councilwoman Summers Armstrong moved to deny; motion carried.
- Item 52: Variance for Accessory Structures and Fence (2104 Santa Rita Drive) – Applicant Santos Aguilar requested variances for two storage buildings and a front yard fence. Staff recommended denial; Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. Councilwoman Diaz moved to approve with amended conditions (allowing one carport and requiring fence height compliance). Motion carried.
- Item 55: Contractor’s Plant, Shop, and Storage Yard (Rancho Drive and Ricky Road) – Applicant Christine Kramer sought a general plan amendment and rezoning for a 3,000 SF contractor facility. Staff recommended denial; Planning Commission failed to obtain supermajority. Councilwoman Summers Armstrong moved to approve with conditions (no ingress/egress on Ricky Road, no parking along Ricky Road). Motion carried.
- Item 56: Multifamily Development (13th Street, 7 units) – Applicant Tal Herrell requested a variance to allow only 2 parking spaces (13 required) and waivers for landscape buffers. Staff recommended denial; Planning Commission recommended approval. After debate about parking, Councilwoman Summers Armstrong moved to approve, noting the need for housing. Motion carried.
- Item 57: Medical Office (Charleston and Strong Drive) – Applicant Carrie Shea requested a variance and site development review for a 3,574 SF medical office. Staff recommended denial. Councilman Knutson moved to approve, citing the need to develop a long-vacant lot. Motion carried.
- Item 58: KB Homes Single-Family Subdivision (Kyle Canyon area) – Applicant Bob Gronauer requested a general plan amendment, rezoning, variance for gated streets, vacation of easements, and tentative map for 232 lots on 31.72 acres. Staff recommended approval for the GPA and rezoning but denial for other items. Councilwoman Bruni moved to approve all five sub-items (58A–E). Motion carried.
- Item 62: Urban Forestry Management Plan – Staff presented a heat mitigation plan to incorporate into the 2050 Master Plan, including a tree inventory showing a 17% decline in canopy since 2013, current coverage of ~6%, and a goal to plant 60,000 trees over 25 years. A new smart tree inventory using LIDAR technology was described. Council approved the plan unanimously.
- Item 64: Parking Variance for Salon (2187 N. Decatur Blvd) – Applicant Jose Rivas sought to allow 19 parking spaces where 41 are required for a 6-station salon. Staff recommended denial. Councilwoman Summers Armstrong moved to approve with a condition for an administrative review one year after license issuance. Motion carried.
Key Outcomes
- Item 32: Public hearing closed; no action required.
- Items 33 & 34: Approved unanimously (sale of property to Patriot Housing for veteran housing).
- Items 35 & 36: Appointments to Board of Civil Service Trustees and Historic Preservation Commission approved.
- Item 43: Approved (density increase for Kalita Residential) – motion carried with unanimous vote.
- Item 51: Denied (appeal of variance for home additions) – motion carried.
- Item 52: Approved with conditions (storage buildings and fence) – motion carried.
- Item 55: Approved with conditions (contractor’s plant) – motion carried.
- Item 56: Approved (parking variance for 7-unit multifamily) – motion carried.
- Item 57: Approved (medical office) – motion carried.
- Item 58A–E: Approved (KB Homes subdivision) – motion carried.
- Item 62: Approved (Urban Forestry Management Plan) – motion carried.
- Item 64: Approved with one-year review condition (parking variance for salon) – motion carried.
- Items 63A–B: Held in abeyance to January 21, 2026.
- Referred: The city attorney’s office directed to set public hearing dates for appeals and abatement cases (Item 67).
- Council Emerging Issues: No items were raised for future agendas.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned with holiday greetings and safety reminders.
Meeting Transcript
We will be convening the City Council meeting in one minute. Okay, by the time I finish reading all this, they'll be here. This meeting has been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the open meeting law. These proceedings are being video recorded and can be viewed live on City of Las Vegas TV on Cox Cable Channel Two. You can also watch the meetings live online and access other city content by visiting Las Vegas Nevada.gov slash connect. This building is protected by a state of the art fire detection and suppression sprinkler system. If alarms should activate during today's meeting, please evacuate using the exits at the back of the chambers, out to the mezzanine, proceed out the double doors to the terrace and down the back staircase. For anyone that has difficulty with stairs, please check with a marshal or fire official for assistance. Once outside, assemble on the northeast corner across the street from City Hall at Lewis and First Street. Employees wearing safety vests or our city marshals will inform you when it is safe to re-enter the building. For public comment related to the items on the agenda, citizen participation and public hearing items, we have available a speaker card, which you can complete and submit to the city clerk. Cards are available in the clerk's office or in the rear of our chambers. If you do not submit a card, it does not prevent you from speaking under public comment, citizens' participation, or specified public hearing items. If there is anyone present today that is in need for hearing impaired equipment, please see city clerk staff. And please note if you are parked in the parking garage across the street. A self-validation machine is located in the foyer between council chambers and the security desk you walk through to enter these chambers. You must have your ticket with you to use this machine. If you do not have your ticket, see security personnel when exiting for a validation coupon. Before we proceed with the agenda, would everyone please please rise and remain standing for the invocation given by Rabbi Shia Harlik, Chabad of Southern Nevada, and please remain standing as our district attorney, Steve Wilson leads us in the pledge. Rabbi, I'm in charge of this. Thank you. So when I see a podium, I always think I'm in charge. Thank you for the honor. So I say Rabona Shalola, Master of the Universe, source of wisdom, justice, and compassion. We stand before you to acknowledge the human authority as a sacred trust, and that leadership carries a moral responsibility beyond law alone. We ask for your presence and your guidance as this council's gathers to serve the people of the city of Las Vegas. We gather these during these sacred days of Hanukkah, a season that recalls the courage of the Maccabees, men and women who stood few in numbers but firm in spirit. When faced with violence, forced conformity, and the desecration of our holy temple, they refuse to surrender their faith or the consciousness. The victory was not only militarily, but it was also moral. And when they returned to our holy temple, restored what had been broken, they found a single curse of pure oil, enough for one day, yet it burned for eight days. From that moment forward, Hanukkah stood as a testament that light, once kindled, can endure far beyond all expectation. In our time, we are reminded that darkness still seeks to assert itself. Our hearts turn to Australia, where fifteen innocent lives were taken, including two Chabad rabbis in this recent terror attack. We mourn those who were murdered simply for who they were. We pray for healing for the wounded for comfort for the brave and the strength for the community shaken by violence. May their memories be a blessing, and may their loss deepen our resolve to stand against hatred, cruelty in all forms. Our tradition teaches Nehravaya in the Shmasodim, the soul of a human being is a lamp of God. Every life is sacred flame. Terror seeks to extinguish that flame and to spread fear. But Hanukkah teaches us that even one light, protected and shared, can push back overwhelming darkness. Jewish tradition also teaches that long before there were nations, governments, and faith communities, humanity was given the shared moral foundation. It's called the seven Noah Hard Laws. These universal principles affirm the sanctity of life, the rejection of violence and theft, blessing of God, and the obligation to establish systems of justice. They remind us that law is not merely about maintaining order, but above all, advancing moral responsibility and human dignity. The message of Hanukkah resonates deeply here in Las Vegas, a city known throughout the world as a city of lights. Hanukkah's connected to lights. May these lights never own may these lights never be the only symbol of brightness and spectacle, but reflect the vigilance, warmth, and care for one another. May this city shine as a place where diversity is respected, safety is cherished, and light stands for life rather than loss. Bless the members of this council with wisdom, patience, and moral clarity, help them govern with hum with humility, to listen with empathy, and to act with courage. May their decisions uplive the vulnerable, strengthen the community, and reflect the highest value upon which a just society is built.
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