Reno City Council
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
What Happened
City Council held a full meeting with 30+ items on the agenda, taking votes on zoning changes, medical marijuana framework, golf course operations, sidewalk assessments, and multiple ordinances over approximately five hours.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Medical marijuana dispensaries permitted in Reno (first time) — Unanimous — City will allow medical marijuana establishments under state regulatory oversight; council directed staff to draft specific zoning and spacing rules for future approval.
APPROVED — Long-term lease agreement for golf course operations with First Tee nonprofit — 5-1 vote — City transfers golf course management to nonprofit partner; maintains $850,000 annual operational costs initially but expects future savings after Southeast Connector construction enables nine-hole redesign.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6327: Remove business license requirement for street artists selling First Amendment-protected merchandise — Unanimous — Artists can now sell on public sidewalks without city licensing.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6329: 180-day moratorium on pet store business licenses — Unanimous — Halts new pet store applications selling dogs, cats, or rabbits for six months while city evaluates regulations.
APPROVED — 92-acre annexation near Foil Drive and Cillis Drive — 7-0 — Property owner can now connect to city sewer services.
APPROVED — 2013 Special Assessment District One (sidewalk improvements) — 4-1 vote on final resolution — Residents assessed $4 per square foot for sidewalk repairs in Midtown area; actual cost was $14/sq ft estimate but $4/sq ft actual cost due to economies of scale.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6324: Updated school facility development standards — 7-0 — Aligns zoning code with regional school construction guidelines.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6325: Corrected RDA district boundaries — 7-0 — Fixes mapping error in Redevelopment Authority districts.
Debated But Not Resolved
Medical marijuana specifics — Council disagreed on spacing distances from residential areas (200 feet vs. 660 feet), whether to request three additional dispensaries from county, and what zoning districts should allow facilities — Staff will return with draft ordinances incorporating council direction.
Golf course long-term commitment — Councilwoman Breeus opposed locking into 15-year lease option without seeing operator performance during initial year; others supported long-term certainty for project viability — Approved 5-1 despite concerns; lease includes multiple council approval checkpoints.
Root mitigation tree charges — Property owner objected to $170 charge for city-planted 60-year-old silver maple tree root mitigation; council agreed charge was unfair but said removing it would require removing it from all 24 affected properties in district — Referred to future review rather than reopening assessment.
What to Watch
$2.1 million — Annual firefighters union contract cost savings to general fund — General fund relief from IAFF contract concessions.
$7 million — Atlantic Aviation fixed-base operator facility investment at Reno Tahoe International Airport — Atlantic Aviation funding.
Medical marijuana ordinances — Council must vote on draft zoning, spacing, and land use regulations next meeting. Outcome determines how many dispensaries can operate and where they locate. Outside legal counsel will advise on performance contract framework.
Golf course financing plan — First Tee must present approved financing plan, construction schedule, and permits within three years or long-term lease option expires. City retains right to reject at each milestone.
Graffiti task force direction — Council deferred budget priorities for reestablishing graffiti enforcement task force. Staff will present options for dedicated detective position, education campaigns, and expanded abatement crews during 2014-15 budget cycle.
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