City Council Votes Abayance Of Ordinance To Jail Developers

LAS VEGAS, July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Las Vegas City Council Recommending Committee voted for an abeyance on the controversial ordinance - Bill No. 2018-24, sponsored by City Councilman Steve Seroka, a councilman who is being sued in Federal Court by developer Yohan Lowie for bias. This abeyance now moves the bill to the September 4, 2018 Recommending Committee and then to be heard by the full City Council on September 6. The proposed bill, will severally penalize developers with excessive fines and jail time for not abiding to new standards. The bill is opposed by the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP), The Latin Chamber of Commerce and Laborers Local 872, along with others in the building and trades community. The bill NO.2018-24, also known as the "Yohan Lowie bill" is an ordinance to amend LVMC Title 19 (The Unified Development Code) to adopt additional standards and requirements regarding the repurposing of certain golf courses and open spaces.

The ordinance was met with strong opposition from those speaking at today's meeting.  Tommy White, Secretary Treasurer of the Laborers Local 872 said "this City Council is sending the wrong message to not only the local building community, but to the entire nation. This is simply government overreach." Mr. White vowed to bring 600 of his union members to the next meeting to protest the flawed ordinance. Peter Guzman, President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, stated, "I have received numerous calls from my members opposed to this ordinance. This ordinance is contrary to our groups philology and focus of promoting commerce and growth in our community."  Todd Davis, General Council, EHB Companies pointed out to the Recommending Committee that "the Agenda states 'NO FISCAL IMPACT', when clearly there is a fiscal impact to taxpayers ranging from substantial legal fees to defend the ordinance, to hundreds of millions of dollars if the ordinance is found to be a taking."   

Councilwoman Michelle Fiore, vehemently objected to the ordinance, publically in the July 18 council meeting and at times verbally sparred with the bill sponsor Councilman Seroka. Developer Yohan Lowie, stated, "this is typical of the corruption and disingenuous acts of certain members of the city of Las Vegas who have demonstrated for the past 3 years."

For additional information
Contact: Tom Letizia
702-545-8777 or [email protected] 

SOURCE Las Vegas City Council