Reno City Council
Monday, April 11, 2022
What Happened
City council held a special meeting focused on affordable housing strategy, approving two grants and debating multiple policy approaches to address housing affordability, with most major decisions deferred to future meetings.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Grant agreement with Rebuilding Together in Northern Nevada for neighborhood home repair program — Unanimously — $200,000 to repair at least 22 homes for low to moderate income households.
APPROVED — Code amendments for tenant relocation assistance standards — Motion passed — Staff will develop consistent expectations for relocation help when properties with traditionally affordable units are purchased.
Debated But Not Resolved
Affordable housing regional responsibility — Vice Mayor Jordan wants data showing how many new affordable units Sparks and Washoe County are building versus Reno's 848 units in 2021. Councilman Reese argued city-level subsidies have limits and proposed exploring universal basic income pilot and equity-focused housing addressing historical redlining. *Next step: Vice Mayor will receive regional data breakdown for next meeting.*
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — Councilman Reece wants to move forward with 2018 ADU ordinance; others concerned about state preemption and want equity protections and neighborhood compatibility review. *Next step: Continued discussion; no timeline set.*
Vacation rental ordinance — Councilman Breckis questioned whether vacation rentals remove units from affordable housing stock or help residents with mortgages. *Next step: Staff to prepare legal analysis on city's authority to limit short-term rentals.*
Inclusionary zoning standards — Vice Mayor Jordan requested clear, upfront affordability standards rather than case-by-case negotiation. Councilman Breckis expressed skepticism that inclusionary zoning is a solution. *Next step: Staff to research mixed-income housing best practices.*
Infrastructure as housing barrier — Councilman Reece argued infrastructure investment decisions are the primary barrier to infill, not zoning changes, and wants data tracking. *Next step: City manager to focus on infrastructure limitations analysis.*
Plan Unit Development (PUD) affordability — Councilman Breckis noted lot preparation costs of $150,000–$200,000 and suggested amending PUD ordinance to require public benefit concessions. *Next step: Review when PUDs come for amendment.*
Rent control vs. anti-gouging — One council member proposed legislation addressing vulnerable renters facing 50% rent increases upon unit renovation; another objected to rent control characterization and suggested state legislative advocacy instead. *Next step: Continued debate; no direction given.*
What to Watch
$200,000 — Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada neighborhood renewal program — Council allocation from 2019
$1,027,000 — Sewer and building permit fees waived for affordable housing projects (60% area median income) — City fee waivers
$1,000,000 — HOME funds for Anova Apartments at Summit affordable housing project — Federal HOME funds
Regional affordable housing breakdown — Vice Mayor Jordan's request for pro-rata data comparing Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County contributions returns next meeting. This could reshape how council views its responsibility for regional housing.
Tenant relocation code amendments — Staff will bring back specific language establishing consistent relocation assistance standards. Currently, some affordable housing projects provide robust programs; others provide minimal notice.
Esmeralda Village presentation — Affordable housing proposal for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deferred for full presentation with renderings and accessibility details.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.