Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
What Happened
The Redevelopment Agency and City Council held a combined meeting lasting several hours, voting on dozens of items including land use approvals, public art contracts, housing policy direction, and a contentious apartment project appeal.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED] — Qualcomm USA LLC contract — Unanimous — $750,000 over 5 years for program implementation.
[APPROVED] — Zoning map amendment (Arlington Avenue office zone) — Unanimous — Changes 0.31-acre parcel from single-family to professional office.
[APPROVED] — Zoning map amendment (Plum Lane) — Unanimous — Rezones 43.13-acre site from residential (8 units/acre) to public facility.
[APPROVED] — Public art: John Fleming plaza sculpture — One council member voted no — Adds river-flow design artwork at Public Safety Center entrance.
[APPROVED] — Public art: Mark Regelman sculpture — One council member voted no — Adds landmark sculpture visible from Kunley.
[APPROVED] — River Ranger program funding — Extends river ranger positions beyond initial grant period using Truckee Meadows Water Authority Truckee River Fund grant.
[APPROVED] — Pesticide-free parks initiative — Authorizes equipment purchases for manual weed management to reduce herbicide use.
[APPROVED] — Plumis apartment project (273 units) conditional use permit — 4-3 vote — Allows 273-unit, 4-5 story apartment complex at former Lacage Tennis Club despite community opposition over traffic and safety concerns.
[CONTINUED] — Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance — Referred to planning commission with council direction on lot size, parking, and design standards.
Debated But Not Resolved
ADU ordinance lot size — Staff proposed 9,000 sq ft minimum; some councilmembers want 5,000-6,000 sq ft to enable more infill housing; others want to maintain larger requirements to protect neighborhood character — Council directed staff to revise draft incorporating feedback before planning commission review.
Short-term rental regulation — Multiple councilmembers said STR policy must be addressed before approving ADUs to prevent investor speculation; others said separate ordinance should run in parallel — Deferred to future policy discussion.
Local artist prioritization for public art — Mayor and councilmembers concerned that 2% art funds went to non-local artists via national call; want ordinance reviewed to prioritize local artists — Mayor requested ordinance amendment review.
Plumis apartment project traffic safety — Community and one councilmember cited F-rated intersection at McCarron/Plumis, inadequate fire evacuation routes, and unresolved traffic impacts; developer declined density or height reductions — Vice Mayor's motion to approve carried 4-3.
Downtown code enforcement tools — Councilmember questioned why deteriorating properties like Sundowner remain unchecked for years; existing $1,000 administrative citation cap deemed insufficient — City Attorney to explore additional enforcement mechanisms including consent orders.
What to Watch
$750,000 — Qualcomm USA LLC program contract (5 years) — General fund.
$375,000 — Two public art sculptures (B9 and B10) — 2% public art fund.
$200,000 — Rent subsidy program for individuals unable to qualify for market-rate housing — City council appropriation.
ADU ordinance returns to planning commission — Council debate continues over lot size (9,000 sq ft vs. 5,000-6,000 sq ft), parking requirements, and design standards. Final vote expected summer 2025. This will determine whether single-family neighborhoods can add housing units and affect housing supply.
Short-term rental ordinance development — Mayor directed staff to bring separate STR policy to council. Decision on whether to regulate or restrict vacation rentals will directly impact long-term rental availability and affordability.
Downtown code enforcement improvements — City Attorney exploring creative enforcement tools beyond existing $1,000 citation cap to address deteriorating properties.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.