Reno City Council
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
What Happened
Reno City Council held a regular meeting with 15 major agenda items including bond approval, zoning changes, property development appeals, and business licensing disputes. Meeting lasted approximately 6+ hours with heavy public comment on three contested development projects.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — $60 million general obligation bonds for Public Safety Center, Aquatic Center, and Fire Department Headquarters — 6-1 vote — Largest bond in city history; one council member opposed, favoring use of federal rescue funds instead of long-term debt.
APPROVED — Reno Ironworks industrial manufacturing facility major site plan and grading project near SPCA — 4-3 vote — Facility will operate near animal shelter despite noise/dust/vibration concerns from SPCA; includes $100,000 discretionary sound mitigation funding and $25,000 five-year contribution to SPCA.
APPROVED — Downtown Reno Business Improvement District assessments for 2022-23 — Three property owners granted full exemptions — $3,058,702 total assessment on downtown parcels; renewed district funding for ambassadors and services.
APPROVED — Moana Park zoning change from residential/commercial to Public Facilities — Unanimous vote — Rezones 21.79 acres containing Fire Station 3, soccer fields, playground, and Thai Park to match existing use.
APPROVED — 85 Keystone Avenue mixed-use development zoning — Unanimous vote — Allows adaptive reuse of office building for mixed-use project at Keystone and West First Street.
APPROVED — $1,200,000 software/hardware contract with Purvis; installation moved to separate vendor Powercom — Resolves contractor licensing compliance issue.
APPROVED — Portland Loo portable restroom at City Plaza — 7-0 vote — Addresses public facilities need in downtown.
CONTINUED — Bowling Stadium exterior painting ($700,000) — Deferred pending review of facility agreement performance and $1.3 million general fund subsidy requirements.
Debated But Not Resolved
DJ Trivia cabaret licensing — Bar owner argues DJ Trivia is competitive game facilitation, not live entertainment requiring expensive cabaret license. City staff classified use of microphone as live entertainment. Next step: Mayor directed staff to place full discussion on regular council agenda.
Psychiatric treatment facility zoning (2840 Sandestin Drive) — Residents argue adolescent treatment facility improperly zoned for single-family when similar facilities in Reno are in public facilities or mixed-use zones. Council indicated need to review state law alignment. Next step: Staff to clarify group home definition and zoning compliance.
Globe Plaza outdoor live entertainment venue — Residents oppose conditional use permit citing noise (85 decibel limit), unlimited festival potential, and insufficient traffic/parking study. Planning Commission approved 4-3. Next step: Council vote pending on appeal.
What to Watch
$60,000,000 — General obligation bonds for Public Safety Center, Aquatic Center, Fire Department design and construction — General obligation bonds.
$3,058,702 — Downtown Reno Business Improvement District assessments — Downtown property assessments.
$1,300,000 — General fund subsidy for bowling and downtown facilities — General fund.
$3,000,000 — Channel rehabilitation and stabilization (1,900 linear feet) — Stormwater funds.
DJ Trivia cabaret licensing decision. Council must clarify whether microphone use triggers expensive cabaret license requirement. Decision affects multiple bar owners and business operating costs.
Group home zoning alignment. Staff must review whether adolescent psychiatric treatment facility at 2840 Sandestin meets state law requirements and existing zoning. Will determine if city code revision needed.
Globe Plaza conditional use permit vote. Council must decide whether outdoor entertainment venue with up to 85-decibel noise and 80 days/year events is compatible with downtown residents.
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