Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
What Happened
The Reno Redevelopment Agency and City Council met on November 15, 2023, for a three-hour session covering property sales, vendor licensing, development agreements, and commission appointments.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED] — Sidewalk vending ordinance advances to second reading with state-required distance restrictions (1,500 feet from schools, casinos, and convention centers) — Vote: 6-1 — Allows vendors to operate under simplified licensing; cuts costs by more than 50% from current $700-$900 fees, but bars most vendors from downtown due to casino proximity restriction set by state law.
[APPROVED] — City authorized staff to negotiate sale of 1510 West 4th Street property to Tri River LLC and sale of second parcel west of Keystone to Flyers Energy — Vote: Unanimous — Returns two previously redeveloped city-owned properties to private ownership and tax rolls.
[APPROVED] — Granted easement to Truckee Meadows Water Authority for water facility construction and maintenance on city property — Vote: Unanimous — Allows water infrastructure expansion north of Avenida Dand and west of Mahogany Ridge Drive.
[APPROVED] — Third Portland Loo public restroom facility at City Plaza — Vote: Unanimous — Adds restroom access for residents and visitors downtown.
[APPROVED] — Three members appointed to Arts and Culture Commission (Sierra Scott, Ian Watson, Megan Miller) and three to Recreation and Parks Commission (Ian Anderson, Tara Webster, Marie Krueger) — Vote: 7-0.
Debated But Not Resolved
Jacobs Entertainment development agreement oversight — Council members questioned whether pedestrian amenity credits ($2.3 million) should include $680,000 spent before the agreement was signed, whether sewer credit timelines are clear, and whether developer received special privileges without proportional public benefit. City staff defended practices as standard redevelopment tools; the debate centered on documentation and accountability — Next step: Council requested written clarification on agreement effective dates and sewer credit ownership; 10-year master plan presentation scheduled for early 2024.
Affordable housing in Neon District redevelopment — Public speakers and council members said the planned 10% affordable units (6 senior apartments) are insufficient given the loss of 600 naturally occurring affordable units from demolished motels. Developer stated all displaced residents were relocated at company expense — Next step: Deferred to 10-year master plan; council emphasized housing as top priority.
Sidewalk vendor exclusion from downtown — Council member objected that state-mandated 1,500-foot exclusion zones around casinos "redline" vendors from downtown where foot traffic is highest — Next step: Staff directed to work with state task force on potential changes; will address special event exceptions before second reading.
What to Watch
$2,327,534 — Jacobs Entertainment pedestrian amenities, art installations, landscaping, fencing — Developer funded (2018-2020 investments)
$1,900,000 — Sewer connection incentive credits paid by Jacobs Entertainment — Developer funded
Sidewalk vending ordinance second reading — Council will address whether special events (Halloween street closures, popup shops) can include vendors despite state law restrictions.
Neon District 10-year master plan (early 2024) — Will include housing component addressing council concerns about affordable unit minimums and community economic inclusion.
Jacobs Entertainment annual review — Council requested clearer tracking of compliance with development agreement terms and accounting of Residential Construction Tax expenditures.
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