Reno City Council
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
What Happened
Reno City Council met for a full day session, approving two major infrastructure projects, denying two controversial development proposals, and deferring several zoning decisions pending further community input and staff review.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Sewer lining project contract to In Situ Form Technologies LLC — vote count not recorded — $2 million from Sewer Enterprise Fund to rehabilitate 8.23 miles of sewer lines across southwest, northwest, and Stead Boulevard areas using trenchless technology.
DENIED — Prada Ranch Master Plan Amendment (LDC 16-26) — vote count not recorded — project did not comply with required zoning and master plan policies.
DENIED — Prot Ranch PUD Zoning Map Amendment (LDC 17-19) — vote count not recorded — city could not make required statutory findings for approval.
APPROVED — Development code revisions removing $200 historic resource application fee — unanimous — maintains incentive for voluntary preservation of historic properties.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6585 and 6586 modifying residential construction tax procedures and sewer service definitions — vote counts not recorded.
APPROVED — Reappointment of Mark Sullivan to Reno Housing Authority — unanimous.
CONTINUED — Corona Cyan public facility services agreement to Sunny Hills Ranchos — to next council meeting — Councilman Breus requested answers about fire station expansion plans and obsolete agreement language before vote.
Debated But Not Resolved
Fire station expansion funding — Councilman Breus sought details on what $1.5 million in public facility contributions would fund. Staff indicated money exists for expansion but could not provide timeline. Council requested clarification at next meeting.
Sewer treatment plant capacity — Council questioned whether treatment plants would have adequate capacity by the time development demands service. Washo County has not decided whether to decommission Lemon Valley plant. Decision pending County action.
Lemon Drive road alignment and elevation — Council concerned about decision-making authority between developer and Reno Transportation Commission. RTC reviewing 13 alternatives; decision requires separate RTC process and board approval.
100-year floodplain development — Council Member Woodford objected to developing one-third to one-half of project in floodplain despite applicant mitigation efforts. Conditional Letter of Map Revision awaits FEMA approval before construction.
Industrial use compatibility — Council expressed concern about 3.6 million square feet of warehousing adjacent to residential neighborhoods and Lemon Valley Elementary School. Questions remain about hours of operation, truck traffic impacts, and air quality effects.
Zone change for North McCarran/Plumis property — Council Member Duerr requested zone change study from Community Commercial to MF14 citing traffic and safety concerns. Other council members raised open meeting law concerns and requested applicant communication before proceeding.
What to Watch
$2,000,000 — Sewer lining project — Sewer Enterprise Fund
$441,000 — Construction management for sewer project — Small and large diameter sewer program
Corona Cyan agreement (returns next meeting) — Council needs staff answers on fire station expansion timeline and whether agreement language should be cleaned up before reassignment to Sunny Hills Ranchos.
Lemon Valley treatment plant decision — Washo County Commission must decide whether to decommission Lemon Valley plant. City cannot approve Proto Ranch development until treatment capacity is confirmed.
Zone change for North McCarran property — Council requested property owner communication and broader public participation process before voting whether to send request to Planning Commission.
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