Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
What Happened
Reno City Council met on November 15, 2023, and approved 16 items in roughly 2-3 hours, including property sales, sidewalk vending changes, and a major development agreement that generated significant public debate over affordable housing and downtown growth.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Jacobs Entertainment development agreement for Neon Line District with sewer credits, pedestrian amenity credits, and 10% affordable housing (6 units) on future apartment project — Unanimous — Allows $300 million Jade Resort renovation, $20 million Glow Plaza expansion, and mixed-use downtown development; triggers annual review requirement for developer
APPROVED — Sidewalk vending ordinance amendments complying with state law, cutting licensing costs over 50% — 6-1 vote (Council Member Breuss opposed) — Reduces barriers for small food vendors but keeps 1,500-foot distance restrictions around downtown hotels and convention centers per state mandate
APPROVED — City staff authorized to negotiate sale of city-owned parcel at 1510 West 4th Street to Tri River LLC — Unanimous — Returns property to tax rolls; returns second parcel to Flyers Energy operator — Unanimous
APPROVED — Third portable toilet installation at City Plaza through agreement with Truckee Meadows Water Authority — Unanimous — Adds public restroom for residents and visitors
APPROVED — Water easement for Truckee Meadows Water Authority north of Avenita D and west of Mahogany Ridge Drive — Unanimous — Provides infrastructure access for water facilities
APPROVED — Three appointments to Arts and Culture Commission (Sierra Scott, Ian Watson, Megan Miller) and three to Recreation and Parks Commission (Ian Anderson, Tara Webster, Marie Krueger) — 7-0 votes
Debated But Not Resolved
Downtown development and affordable housing — Public speakers said 10% affordable housing (6 units) replaces only half of 600 destroyed affordable units; critics called for public housing and rent caps instead of luxury apartments — 10-year master plan with community input coming first quarter 2024
Sidewalk vending downtown restrictions — Council Member Breuss said 1,500-foot buffer around hotels effectively blocks vendors from downtown foot traffic; others said this implements state law without council discretion — Staff directed to work with state task force on potential changes before second reading
Special event vending exceptions — Council asked if special events (Halloween, memorial sales) can override distance restrictions — City attorney to determine First Amendment implications before second reading
Sewer credits and agreement effective date — Council member questioned whether five-year extension and pedestrian amenity credits ($2.3 million for 2018-2020 projects) violated code provisions — City manager to provide written clarification
Growth and planning — Speaker warned Reno's population grew from 219,000 to 279,000 without adequate apartment and house planning — Unresolved; ongoing city planning process
What to Watch
$20,000,000 — Glow Plaza expansion — Jacobs Entertainment
$300,000,000 — Jade Resort rebranding and renovation — Jacobs Entertainment
$2,327,534 — Art installations, concrete pedestals, landscaping, and fencing — Jacobs Entertainment (prepaid)
$2,300,000 — Pedestrian amenities (retrospective credit for 2018-2020 work) — Jacobs Entertainment
$100,000,000 — North expansion project — Jacobs Entertainment (amount noted in record)
Neon Museum District master plan (due within 90 days) — Council will see detailed 10-year vision for housing, entertainment expansion, and workforce housing. Public input sought. This determines whether affordable housing gets addressed beyond current 6-unit commitment.
Sidewalk vending ordinance second reading — Depends on city attorney answering whether special events can exempt vendors from 1,500-foot restrictions and state law interpretation. Council Member Breuss indicated she will vote no.
Jacobs Entertainment one-year review — Development agreement requires in-person update in one year. Council will evaluate progress on commitments and housing, giving chance to address sewer credit and pedestrian amenity credit concerns raised.
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