Reno City Council
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
What Happened
Reno City Council held a full meeting with 30+ agenda items, approving major infrastructure spending, multiple zoning changes, and street abandonments tied to a downtown entertainment district development.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — $3 million sewer lift station expansion in North Valley/Northwest Reno (7-0 vote) — Two-thirds funded by connection fees, one-third by sewer rates. Triples capacity from 1,000 to 3,000 gallons per minute to handle projected 5,000 new residential units.
APPROVED — Street and alley abandonments for Jacobs Entertainment downtown development (6-1 vote) — Enables property consolidation for mixed-use project including 60-unit apartment building. One council member voted no over concerns about residential displacement without affordable housing guarantees.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6616: Prism North Valley Distribution Center rezoning to industrial commercial (7-1 vote) — Converts 7-acre site from mixed suburban to industrial zoning north of North Virginia Street for warehouse/distribution facility.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6617: 3715 Warren Way rezoning (unanimous) — Increases density from 3 to 21 units per acre for multi-family housing.
APPROVED — Ordinance 7198: Alcoholic beverages ordinance amendments (6-1 vote) — New downtown safescape area restrictions and minimum perishable food requirements for package alcohol licenses.
APPROVED — Annual Sewer CIP Rehabilitation Project (unanimous) — Trenchless pipe rehabilitation across 9 miles in four neighborhoods using 50-75 year lifespan technology without street excavation.
APPROVED — RIFT 7th Edition regional transportation impact fees schedule (unanimous) — New development impact fee schedule effective January 31, 2022, affecting residential and other projects across Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County.
APPROVED — $10,000 Kinder Morgan donation (unanimous) — Funds shade tree planting along West Third Street downtown between West and Sierra.
APPROVED — Multiple board appointments including Commander Joe Robinson to E911 Advisory Board and four members to Ward 1 Neighborhood Advisory Board (all unanimous).
CONTINUED — Patrick Fiser reappointment to Ward 2 Neighborhood Advisory Board — Re-agendized for first meeting of next month.
Debated But Not Resolved
Sewer investment equity — Councilwoman Breuss raised concerns that Southwest Reno has 1,000 residential units on septic systems leaking nitrates into river and lacks sewer investment, while North Valley receives $3 million. Mayor stated capacity exists in sewer fund to serve all communities. Next step: Issue deferred to Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process.
Downtown impact fees — Councilwoman Breuss argued for policy-based fee relief in downtown core areas where development generates fewer regional trips, citing this has been raised six times previously. Councilman Ree said housing and transportation policy discussions need more than 3-minute time slots. Next step: Breus indicated this should be addressed in upcoming manager housing proposal.
Abandonment performance measures — Breuss expressed concern that Jacobs Entertainment previously made statements about projects that failed to materialize. She sought clawback provisions requiring property reversion if development doesn't occur. City Attorney Thornley said Municipal Code intentionally limits development agreements. Next step: No resolution; development agreement still being finalized.
Downtown parking strategy — Councilwoman De questioned what happens to church parking and noted 2,600 discussed parking spots seemed excessive. Staff indicated parking discussions moving through manager's office but no definitive plans exist. Next step: Unresolved; continued discussions with RTC likely to lead parking planning.
Historic preservation — Ward 1 member raised concerns about loss of Victorian home, mid-century modern UNR building, and Gibson Apartments building. Next step: Mayor and council committed to continued meetings with Historic Resources Commission.
What to Watch
$3,000,000 — Sewer lift station expansion North Valley/Northwest — Two-thirds connection fees, one-third from sewer fund.
$132,000,000 — Regional Road Impact Fee (RIFT) Program 10-year capacity improvements — Impact fees collected from new development through building permits.
$2,500,000 — Jacobs Entertainment payment to city for Second Street property purchase — Going to general fund for Moana pool and Public Safety projects.
Development Agreement for Jacobs Entertainment — Still being finalized. Council remains divided on whether performance measures and affordable housing commitments should be required before approving further abandonments. Applicant claims readiness to break ground spring/summer 2022.
Sewer Connection Fee Increase — Staff indicated proposal coming within 60 days to address fees unchanged since 2014 while rates increased 28%. Potential CPI indexing going forward is being discussed.
Ward 1 Developer Outreach — Access dispute between Councilwoman Breuss and developer Garrett Gordon over neighborhood association appearances remains unresolved. At-large council member indicated seeking legal counsel on whether council members can block developers from NAB presentations.
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