Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Note: This summary is based on published meeting minutes.
What Happened
The Planning Commission held its regular meeting and approved two major items: a conditional use permit for live entertainment at a downtown bar and a package of zoning changes designed to increase affordable housing development.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Reno Axe conditional use permit for live entertainment at 100 North Sierra Street — 6-1 vote (Villanueva opposed) — Allows live entertainment operations from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday only, with sound restrictions and Reno Police Department coordination.
APPROVED — Title 18 affordable housing zoning amendments with four additional provisions — 5-2 vote (Munoz and Villanueva opposed) — Recommendation to City Council. Changes include: buildings can be two additional stories taller by-right if projects meet affordability requirements; duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes allowed by-right in single-family zones (SF3, SF5, SF8, SF11); setback deviation requirements removed for affordable housing projects; parking requirements removed for affordable housing projects.
APPROVED — Meeting minutes from December 20, 2023 — 7-0 vote
APPROVED — Meeting minutes from January 3, 2024 — 5-0 vote (two commissioners abstained)
Debated But Not Resolved
Reno Axe Thursday hours — Commissioner Villanueva objected to including Thursday in extended hours due to proximity to residential neighbors. Applicant voluntarily agreed to Friday and Saturday only, eliminating the dispute.
Affordable housing pilot program — Commissioners Becerra and Villanueva suggested limiting zoning changes to specific corridors for 6-12 months as a test case. Commissioner Velto opposed geographic limits, arguing Reno has finite developable land. Staff noted nothing would be built within 6-12 months anyway. Motion passed without geographic limitation, but staff will present Council with documentation of both options.
Very low income protections — Public commenter Donna Keats expressed concern that proposed density bonus changes eliminate very low income people as a specific category and consolidate them into broader groups, potentially disadvantaging the most vulnerable. Item moves to City Council for further consideration.
What to Watch
None over $50,000.
City Council affordable housing debate — The zoning package (Case TXT24-00001) now goes to City Council for first and second readings with public discussion. Key unresolved question: Will Council include all four additional amendments or only staff's original proposal? Two commissioners opposed the full package, citing infrastructure concerns and aesthetic impacts.
Reno Axe operational compliance — Applicant agreed voluntarily to Friday-Saturday hours only. Watch whether this establishes precedent for other downtown bars seeking extended hours.
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