MTAB Approves Use Permit For Rodeo Events

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Moapa Town Advisory Board (MTAB) voted last week to allow regular rodeo events to continue taking place on an ongoing basis at a temporary arena on a 40 acre parcel just northwest of the AMPM convenience store in Glendale.

At a meeting held on Tuesday, June 8, the board recommended approval on a Use Permit and Design Review that would streamline the process of planning these local events that have already been taking place regularly for several years now.

In attendance at the meeting were Manuel and Lupita Mora who have been the planners of the rodeo events on the parcel. They explained that, in the past, they had been required to file for temporary use permits each time they held an event. Since the events had become regular occurences, county staff had suggested that they file for a permanent use permit to cover up to eight of the events per year on the property.

The Moras explained that they had no plans for building permanent structures on the facility. They bring in the necessary lighting, manage parking and dust control, and even arrange for private security on site during the events.

MTAB member Lola Egan pointed out that the application specified that 1,000 people at a time be permitted at the event.

Lupita Mora explained that the usual attendance is around 200-300 people at these events. “But we never know how many people will show up to the event,” she said. “We don’t want to say 100 and then there shows up like 200. So we left room for whatever comes.”

MTAB chairwoman Jamie Shakespear expressed regret that past events had not been more publicized to the community. “Sometimes I see it going on back there and wish I had known because I would have gone,” she said.

Mora explained that under the temporary permits, they had to be only private events. Since there had been no business license for planning the event, there could also be no advertising of it.

“What they are doing now gives them the ability to be able to advertise going forward,” said Clark County staffer Amelia Smith who was in attendance at the meeting.

Shakespear noted that county staff had recommended approval on the item and that there had never been any problem with the events in the past. She made a motion to approve the request for the Use Permit. The motion was recommended with a unanimous vote.

The item will be heard before the County Planning Commission in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 6.