Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, July 21, 2022
What Happened
The Planning Commission approved four items on July 21, 2022, including a major solar project and two conditional use permits, with significant debate over solar field design and land use classification.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Ormat Solar Project (7 megawatt facility on 54-acre industrial site) — 4-0 — Adds renewable energy infrastructure to South Reno industrial area; includes conditions for mercury remediation and habitat protection, pending Nevada Division of Environmental Protection review if contamination is found during development.
APPROVED — Elite Boat and RV Storage (conditional use permit) — Vote count unknown — Allows boat and RV storage facility at 9716 South Virginia Street; Engineering staff confirmed adequate space for large vehicle maneuverability.
APPROVED — The Wayfairer (conditional use permit for packaged alcohol sales) — Vote count unknown — Permits beer and wine sales at specialty food store, 24 California Avenue, Unit B in Midtown Reno, with operating hours 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
APPROVED — Minutes from July 6 meeting — One commissioner abstained.
Debated But Not Resolved
Solar field as accessory use — Commissioner Johnson questioned how a 104-acre solar field covering the entire site qualifies as accessory to the geothermal facility. Planner Grace Whited explained all power stays on-site for the geothermal operation, making it auxiliary. Commissioner Johnson flagged this for future city code review on utility-scale solar classification.
Ground support installation — Commissioner Johnson asked what drilling and equipment would be used for thousands of support points on the hillside with no concrete foundation. Applicant response was incomplete in the record.
Master plan policy alignment — Commissioner Johnson disagreed with staff that the project supports policy 2.2b for underutilized properties, arguing the site is rural industrial and not underutilized. Disagreement noted but project approved.
What to Watch
No items over $50,000 identified with dollar amounts in this meeting.
Mercury remediation review — Nevada Division of Environmental Protection must approve any remediation plan if mercury is found during Ormat Solar Project development. This could delay construction.
Solar project code review — City will examine whether utility-scale solar projects should be classified differently in industrial zoning. Commissioner Johnson raised concerns about current accessory use designation.
Placemaking study for Virginia Street — Downtown study contract with Gail urban design firm underway; community survey and draft vision due in December.
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