Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, December 7, 2023
What Happened
The Reno Planning Commission met December 7, 2023, and voted on six land-use cases plus two routine minutes approvals. Most items passed; one major zoning proposal was rejected.
Key Decisions
REJECTED — Master Plan Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment for 6.88 acres near Greg Street and M Street from Urban Mixed Use to General Commercial — Commissioners opposed changing the master plan designation, citing inconsistency with urban corridor policies and freeway interchange location. — Vote count not recorded
APPROVED — Our Lady of the Snows Parish Hall conditional use permit and major deviation for school expansion — 7-0 — Allows parking lot and science building with 13-foot lighting (reduced from 18-foot code maximum) and 17 public parking spaces.
APPROVED — Beverage company warehouse and distribution facility at Tyrone Road and Rigin Court — Unanimous — 3,200 square foot facility permitted in mixed-use urban zone.
APPROVED — Property wall and landscaping screening project (LDC 24-18) — Unanimous — Major deviation approved based on staff findings.
APPROVED — Starbucks lighting project (LDC 2419) — 7-0 — Major deviation approved; lights must be extinguished between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
APPROVED — Conditional use permit amendment (LDC 24-17) — Unanimously — Project approved with staff-recommended conditions.
Debated But Not Resolved
Our Lady of the Snows enrollment cap — Commissioner Go asked whether the commission could cap enrollment at 380 students instead of allowing 450 to limit traffic impacts. Staff said 450 is the application basis with no enrollment cap recommended. — Case approved despite unresolved traffic concerns from residential neighbors.
Proposed firearms business near Grand Sierra Resort — Grand Sierra Resort senior leadership opposed zoning change, citing safety concerns about firearms facility adjacent to their property which hosts collegiate events and concerts. Applicant said they would discuss protocols during future conditional use permit phase. — Zoning proposal already rejected; firearms business use will be addressed separately if new zoning is proposed.
Master plan consistency for Mill Street property — Commissioners questioned whether downzoning from Urban Mixed Use serves regional goals for Mill Street Corridor intensification and freeway interchange development. Staff defended General Commercial as appropriate for industrial context. — Issue moot due to zoning rejection.
What to Watch
None exceeding $50,000.
Our Lady of the Snows expansion moving forward — The school's parking lot and science building are approved, but commissioners raised unresolved questions about traffic impacts during school pickup/drop-off on neighborhood streets. Staff committed to potential future line-of-sight analysis for lighting from residential homes.
Greg Street/M Street zoning decision likely heading to City Council — The applicant may appeal the Planning Commission rejection or resubmit with revised proposal. The debate centered on whether Urban Mixed Use or General Commercial zoning better fits the freeway-adjacent location near Grand Sierra Resort.
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