Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
What Happened
The Redevelopment Agency Board and City Council held a combined meeting covering zoning changes, annexations, utility fees, and lengthy debate over data center regulation. Approximately 20 agenda items plus extensive public comment on data center development.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Motion to initiate amendment to Title 18 zoning to review and modify requirements for data center uses, addressing community concerns about water, energy, air quality, siting, and scaling — vote count not recorded — Council directed staff to develop regulatory proposals addressing all concerns raised in public comment.
APPROVED — TOGO Grid Annexation Ordinance (Bill 7329) for 53.49-acre parcel northeast of Rio Wrangler Parkway and Antler Ridge Road for single-family and battery facility development — vote count not recorded — Referred for second reading and adoption.
APPROVED — Sewer service charge increase of $3 per month annually for three years, effective July 1, 2026 (Bill 7332) — 7-0 — Rate increase found compliant with Nevada Revised Statutes requirements. One council member opposed on grounds of current economic hardship.
APPROVED — Zoning map amendment consolidating split zoning on 1.57-acre residential development parcel — unanimous — Enables consistent development standards.
APPROVED — Council map amendment referred for second reading and adoption — 7-0.
APPROVED — Appointments to Historical Resources Commission: Taylor Chase, Tina Davis, Mercedes Delaga — 7-0.
APPROVED — Appointments to Urban Forestry Commission: DB Finel (reappointment) and Jennifer Guzman — 7-0 — Two additional positions deferred pending candidate interviews.
Debated But Not Resolved
Data center moratorium — Council members split on whether to enact a moratorium while Title 18 zoning amendments are developed. Some advocated immediate moratorium to prevent rush of applications; others opposed citing regional coordination needs and economic benefits ($7 million annually from three approved facilities). Legal staff confirmed moratorium requires separate two-step resolution process and cannot be voted on today; Council Manager directed to bring moratorium resolution to first May meeting.
Regional versus local regulatory approach — Disagreement over whether Reno should act independently on data center standards or wait for regional planning coordination through Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency. One council member criticized lack of representation on regional boards since 2022, stating her ward most affected but excluded from discussions.
Indoor live entertainment licensing (Item 3C) — Staff recommendation eliminates conditional use permit requirement. One council member argued cost-benefit analysis needed, citing excessive police and code enforcement resources. Deferred pending revenue discussion meeting.
Battery energy storage facility fire safety — One council member will not support annexation and conditional use permit pending fire chief presentation on protocols for lithium battery fires and safety mitigation plan.
What to Watch
$14,000 — Waste Manager in-kind donation to support Reno Fire Department fuel disposal program — Waste Manager funding.
Data center moratorium vote — Coming to first May council meeting. Decision on whether to pause new data center approvals while Title 18 regulations are drafted will affect pending projects and regional competitiveness.
Title 18 zoning amendment development — Staff must coordinate with regional partners and address all community concerns: water usage, energy demand, air quality impacts, siting restrictions, and facility scaling limits. Regional planning report due August.
Battery facility annexation and safety approval — Fire chief must present lithium battery fire protocol before final council action on TOGO Grid project. Wildlife passage fencing requirements also pending resolution.
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