FYI -- Below please find the letter I emailed to all Clark County Commissioners and the Clark County Planning Dept. Good luck and keep up the good fight! -SD

Dear Commissioner:

I am writing to express my opposition to granting John Laing Homes permission to build the Cielo Encantado development (MP-736-02).

Like many people who now call Las Vegas home, I am a transplant. Two years ago, I moved here from the east coast. There are many reasons I decided to stay in the Las Vegas valley, instead of returning to the east, where most of my family and friends are. One major reason is that, since moving here, I have become and outdoor enthusiast. Our close proximity to so many parks, preserves and conservation areas is a huge selling point to me. Most weekends you will now find me on the trails with a back pack or on the rock climbing.

Some weekends my schedule allows me to get further out of town and spend time away from Las Vegas, but most weekends I simply cannot spend my entire weekend out of town. It is on those weekends that I often go to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It is only 20 minutes from my house, but after being there for sometimes only half a day, I feel as though Ive gotten away from it all. People enjoy Red Rock for a number of reasons, but I think most relish their time there because they feel refreshed by getting out of the city. Building a massive community of homes, shops and schools in plain view of the conservation area will defeat the purpose of going there.

I understand that we are a fast-growing community, and as one of those people who has moved here recently, I cannot complain about our growth. I can, however, ask you to seriously consider NOT changing the environment that brings and keeps so many people here. Red Rock is a jewel. It is a getaway, close enough to town, that everyone can enjoy it. People like myself can enjoy some of the best rock climbing around (people come to Red Rock from all over the world to climb), or hike into the back country. Families can take there children there for a picnic and to run around away from the pollution of the city. Dont ruin this by building homes that will cause an influx of tens of thousands of people and ruin the solitude Red Rock now provides.

Again, I ask you to oppose John Laing Homes plan to build on land bordering the Red Rock National Conservation Area.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best Regards,

Stacey D Aquila