Henderson City Council to consider ward boundaries change
Henderson’s booming population will prompt changes to its city council boundaries, but residents will not have much time to weigh in before the council votes on new boundaries.
The Henderson City Council is scheduled to vote Feb. 6 on one of three redistricting proposals, soon after the city takes its first scheduled public comment on the subject — beginning at 5:45 p.m. to begin that night’s City Council Committee meeting.
Henderson Mayor Debra March said that although council agendas are posted on the city’s website, there is “probably more that the city could do to let people know about the upcoming discussion.”
If any proposals are adopted, it would be the first time the city has changed ward boundaries since 2012.
Las Vegas also changed its ward boundaries that year, but offered more input to residents. City spokesman Jace Radke said a additional public forum was held at City Hall before the council scheduled a vote.
“(Holding the forum) was an opportunity for the public to see the proposed changes that the consultant was presenting and ask any questions they might have,” Radke said.
Henderson has a population of approximately 308,000 and is expected to reach 390,000 over the next 20 years. Nevada law mandates that the city redraw the boundaries to ensure that the population of any ward does not exceed the population of any other ward by more than 5 percent.
Data from 2017 shows Ward 2 has Henderson’s largest population, with 78,704 residents. Its population is 8.4 percent larger than Ward 1, which has 72,630 residents. Ward 3 has a population of 78,160, 7.6 percent larger than Ward 1.
Ward 4 has 77,191 residents, making it 6.3 percent larger than the smallest ward.
Plan 2 contains the most significant changes to the boundaries, and would easily affect the most — 48,149 — residents.
The new boundaries also account for expected population growth in Ward 2 and 3, spurred by the development of the Inspirada and Cadence master-planned communities.
If approved, the new boundaries will be in effect for the 2019 municipal election cycle.
Residents can comment on the proposals any time prior to the council meeting through the online Contact Henderson portal or via email.
Contact Sandy Lopez at slopez@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4686. Follow @JournalismSandy on Twitter.
Redrawing the lines
A look at the three plans to redraw Henderson ward boundaries, which are scheduled to for a City Council vote on Feb. 6.
Plan 1 would affect 15,843 residents and move west through downtown to Interstate 515, while Ward 3 would move almostentirely north of Interstate 215.
Lake Las Vegas would move into Ward 3, and Ward 4 would remain unchanged. The plan would give Ward 2, which has themost potential for growth, the lowest estimated population.
Plan 2 would affect 48,149 residents and move Ward 1 south and west toward Gibson Road. Ward 2 would move entirelywest of Gibson Road, adding the area between Sunridge Heights and Horizon Ridge Parkway.
Ward 3 would add Lake Las Vegas and the area north of Warm Springs Road and east of Lake Mead Parkway, along with partof downtown between Lake Mead Parkway and the Union Pacific Railroad Trail. Ward 4 would move north to Warm SpringsRoad west of Stephanie Street.
Plan 3 would affect 36,102 residents and stretch Ward 1 west along Lake Mead Parkway and the 215 Beltway to GibsonRoad. Ward 2 would push north above Eastern Avenue, while Ward 3 would add Lake Las Vegas and a precinct south of LakeMead Parkway. Ward 4 would move east along the beltway.
Source: City of Henderson Community Development & Services Department
