Reno City Council
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
What Happened
The Reno City Council met for a regular session lasting several hours, voting on roughly 30 items including zoning amendments, development approvals, firefighter positions, and budget matters.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED] — 20 new firefighters via FEMA SAFER Grant — Unanimous — $2.5 million annual cost after year 3; federal grant covers 3 years of salaries and $200,000 in equipment. Station 19 to open within 12-18 months.
[APPROVED] — The Canyons PUD zoning and development — 5-2 vote — 80-unit residential project with $40,000 affordable housing contribution ($500 per lot). Applicant made concessions on horse fencing, signage, and rockfall mitigation despite council concerns about fire protection, wildlife safety, and water pressure.
[APPROVED] — Stan Lucas Mortenson Ranch development appeal — Motion passed — 676-lot subdivision remanded by court for council reconsideration. Multiple unresolved conditions remain, including setback requirements and ridge line protections.
[CONTINUED] — Stonegate development financing agreement — 30-day deferral — Special Assessment District (SAD) bond tool would generate $30-40 million to fund infrastructure. Council requested staff negotiate community benefit terms and affordability guarantees before returning for formal approval.
[APPROVED] — Zoning map amendment, 5935 West Ranger Road — Unanimous — Rezoning 2.91 acres from 1-acre minimum to 4,000-square-foot minimum lot size for residential development.
[APPROVED] — Ballroom facility 2022 budget — Unanimous — $221,000 operating budget (breaking even); capital account holds $347,000.
[REJECTED] — Stan Lucas development appeal motion (first attempt) — Motion died for lack of second — Initial resolution on affordable housing and development agreement framework failed; reframed as staff direction to negotiate community benefits.
Debated But Not Resolved
Fire protection adequacy — Council member Breuss unable to support findings due to Station 19 not currently staffed for firefighting; federal grant approval timeline unknown. Next step: Monitor SAFER grant approval and station staffing timeline.
150-foot setback buffer requirement — Council member Jordan proposed buffer between Stan Lucas development and neighboring Somerset PUD; applicant argues this removes 17-20 homes, making project economically infeasible. Next step: Staff to clarify MGD Code requirements and whether buffer is legally required.
Steep slope development (30%+) — Multiple council members expressed opposition to homes on slopes exceeding 30%; staff argued MGD Code allows it with conditions. Next step: Final conditions being drafted for Stan Lucas project.
Wildlife corridor and horse passage — Disagreement over whether corridor accommodations adequately protect habitat and public safety. Next step: Staff to coordinate mitigation plan with Nevada Department of Wildlife before final map approval.
What to Watch
$40,000 — The Canyons PUD affordable housing fund contribution — Developer payment
$200,000 — Firefighter equipment (PPE, gear) — SAFER Grant
Stan Lucas project conditions (April) — Council expects staff-drafted language on fire sprinkler requirements, setback distances, and wildlife protections before next vote. Judicial remand requires compliance with specific MGD Code findings or case returns to court.
Stonegate SAD financing (April/May) — Council will vote on development and financing agreement resolution, bond ordinance, and district formation. Staff must negotiate affordable housing terms and clarify per-unit cost impacts versus profit incentives.
SAFER Grant firefighter approval — Federal grant decision expected within one year; Station 19 staffing contingent on approval. Council committed to long-term staffing and facilities plan by budget season.
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