Reno City Council approved zoning changes to allow four-unit housing on Fairfield Avenue and updated affordable housing rules to align with new state law.

THIS WEEK IN RENO CITY COUNCIL

Eight city committees met to approve zoning changes, update road impact fees, adjust a Charter process, and restructure an affordable housing loan.

THE BIG DECISIONS

• APPROVED — Zoning change from SF3 to SF5 for four-unit housing on Fairfield Avenue (1.08 acres) — 5-0 — Opens underutilized land for denser residential development aligned with regional housing goals.
• APPROVED — Master plan amendments on heat mitigation and attainable housing — 5-0 — Aligns city rules with new state law expanding affordable housing to 150% of area median income.
• APPROVED — Charter Committee member terms end when appointing legislators leave office — 11-0 — Clarifies how long Charter Committee members serve going forward.
• REJECTED — Change City Attorney from elected to appointed position — 9-2 — Voters will keep their right to directly elect the City Attorney.

MONEY MOVES

• $0 estimated — Road Impact Fee update (8th Edition RRIF manual and fee schedule) — Local development fees — Committee recommends City Council adoption; specific amounts depend on final Council vote.
• No other major spending over $50,000 was documented this week.

STILL IN PROGRESS

• Special elections for council vacancies — Committee waiting for cost estimates and voter turnout data — Washoe County Registrar and historical data expected before final recommendation.
• Pin Oak tree preservation on Riverside Berm — Trees remain in place despite root damage from 1980s planting error — Will be monitored; expected decline in vigor over next 20 years.
• Fairfield Avenue housing project access — Final determination between cul-de-sac and Plum Lane access — Deferred to City Council decision.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Meetings held: 8
• Items voted on: 12
• Total spending approved: $0 (documented)
• Unanimous votes: 9
• Contested votes: 1

PULSE QUESTION

QUESTION: Should Reno allow denser four-unit housing on underutilized residential land like the Fairfield Avenue site?

OPTIONS: ["Yes, increase housing supply", "No, keep neighborhoods single-family", "Unsure, need more details"]

TAGS

Housing, Zoning, Infrastructure, Budget, Governance, Environment, Parks

Meetings This Week