Natural resource priorities include establishing a program to promote alternative fuel use, linking air quality and transportation issues in the land-use planning process, improving transportation networks to reduce vehicle miles traveled, converting cost-effective drought restrictions to permanent drought measures, exploring a process to address the amount of acreage allowed for development under the current Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, and allowing artificial turf as a landscape option for residents who live in homeowner association developments.

"This task force is engaged in a very ambitious effort to study growth from one of the most comprehensive perspectives we've ever undertaken as a community," said Commissioner Bruce Woodbury. "Members have sorted through a lot of information, and I think these initial priorities show that the task force is working hard to develop some thoughtful recommendations that will serve our community well as we continue to grow in the future."

The lists of priorities offer a preview of possible recommendations the task force may submit to the Clark County Commission. Now identified, each potential strategy will undergo a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the ideas are economically feasible.

"It's not easy to wrap your arms around such a broad topic because growth affects so many facets of our life in Clark County," Commissioner Rory Reid said. "It's important to look at potential strategies from a cost-benefit perspective so we can weigh the pros and cons of any ideas and come up with a menu of tools that are likely to work best for our community."

One topic county planners already are working to address involves mixed-use development. A proposed mixed-use ordinance will be introduced at the Commission's Dec. 8 zoning board meeting. A public hearing is expected to be held Jan. 5.

Commissioners saw the need to develop the ordinance in response to the growing number of applications county planners are receiving for mixed-use projects. Many mixed-use proposals call for urban village-style projects that include high-rise condominiums, restaurants, stores, parks and offices within a single development.