A veritable cornucopia of city meetings for the week of November 18, 2024
A veritable cornucopia of city meetings for the week of November 18, 2024
The annual review of Jacobs Entertainment's Glow Plaza permit, a proposed apartment complex on the former site of the Lakeside Tennis Club & much more
Just a reminder that although you may be receiving The Barber Brief via email, you can read this and every past edition in the online searchable archive here. As I look back on that growing archive of 90+ posts, it’s hard for me to believe that we’re coming up on four years since I first began to publish the Brief in the midst of the pandemic, motivated by an overriding concern that residents and officials alike weren’t getting enough information or context to inform the important decisions that shape our city.
I still believe deeply in that ongoing need, and if you do, too, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a completely independent and solo effort, unsupported by any sponsorships or advertisements, and completely reliant on your support and backing. If you’re interested in donating outside of Substack, please see the information at the bottom of this post for other options. Thank you!
Not all anniversaries are celebrations.
In case you missed it, November 15, 2024 marked the one-year anniversary of Jacobs Entertainment's promise to Reno City Council (at the 12-month review of their Development Agreement) to release their “10 year master plan” in the “next 60-90 days.” And here we are, more than 365 days later, no closer to knowing what more this company has planned long-term for their massive assemblage of parcels than we were a year ago, making it literally impossible for the City (and its residents) to make informed decisions about anything on the west side of downtown.
I have periodically referenced the number of days since this promise was made as they have slowly ticked by, but it’s truly no joke. We’ve heard Jeff Jacobs and his representatives allude to their grand “master plan” for years now, when it seems quite clear that either A) there is no master plan, or B) the company simply doesn’t want us to know what it is until each component is well underway or even completed—making it, by definition, not a “plan” at all. More news on Jacobs below.
City meetings galore
This coming week is packed with city meetings in advance of the Thanksgiving week lull. They include the Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board, Reno Planning Commission, Wards 2 and 4 Neighborhood Advisory Boards, and many more. Each one presents an opportunity for engagement on the local level on issues that impact you, and where your participation truly can make a difference.
You can find agendas and supporting materials on the Current and Upcoming Meetings page. As usual, I’ll be highlighting some items related to urban development.
Mon-Wed: Downtown Stakeholder Sign meetings
As I wrote last week, the City will be conducting three virtual “Downtown Business Stakeholder” meetings about the Sign Ordinance on November 18, 19, and 20:
Monday, November 18 from 12-1pm. Register here.
Tuesday, November 19 from 5:30-6:30pm. Register here.
Wednesday, November 20 from 9-10am. Register here.
These meetings are part of the City’s Sign Code update and will focus specifically on the question of whether downtown’s “Entertainment District” (not just casinos but every property there) should be allowed unlimited by-right (i.e. approved without any public meetings) signage. Historic signs would presumably be grandfathered in.
You can read more about this issue (and Scenic Nevada’s position on it) in my November 11 Brief. Input from these meetings will help inform the City staff’s future presentation to Reno City Council. For more information, see the “Signs Ordinance” section of the Zoning Code Clean-Up webpage.
Tuesday, 11/19: Ward 2 NAB
The Ward 2 Neighborhood Advisory Board will also meet on Tuesday, November 19, at 5:30pm. On their agenda is discussion of LDC25-00016 (Plumas Redevelopment), a proposed 273-unit apartment complex on the former site of the Lakeridge Tennis Club, at the corner of Plumas Street and South McCarran Boulevard. Here’s one of the renderings found in the application (there are many more, plus site maps).
To view the application yourself, visit the project page on the Accela website and select “Attachments” from the drop-down “Record Info” menu. The most recent plans are titled “Plumas Revisions” and dated 11/12/2024. You can attend this meeting in person at 1190 West Moana Lane or virtually by registering here.
Tuesday, 11/19: Recreation and Parks Commission
On Tuesday, November 19, the Recreation and Parks Commission will review and potentially approve the Wingfield and Barbara Bennett Park Master Plans. I wrote about this master plan in my November 3 Brief, so check that out and please consider taking the survey as soon as possible, so your opinion can factor into the commission’s discussion and deliberations.
The commission will also be discussing Stantec Survey results for Paradise Park. You can attend the Recreation and Parks Commission meeting in person at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center at 6:00pm or virtually by registering here.
Wednesday, 11/20: Reno City Council
I’ll just highlight one item on the Reno City Council agenda for Wednesday, November 20: Item D.2 - Presentation and status update on the Jacobs Glow Plaza and Festival Area Conditional Use Permit (LDC22-00038). The full agenda is here.
This item is a required annual report by Jacobs Entertainment regarding the Conditional Use Permit they were granted in May of 2022 regarding the operation of the Glow Plaza and Festival Grounds on West 4th Street. You can view the Staff Report for this item here and the letter outlining all 23 conditions of approval here.
I wrote about this Conditional Use Permit approval when City Council granted it, back in May of 2022. My grave concern at the time was something not stated in this week’s Staff Report—namely, the excessive decibel allowances granted their activities.
The permit approved back in 2022 requires re-evaluation annually, at which time it can be revoked, re-evaluated, or modified. If you want to comment on anything related to Glow Plaza operations, decibel levels or otherwise, now’s your chance. Maybe someone can also ask them about that 10-year master plan and YET ANOTHER “festival grounds” they plan to develop just south of the J Resort, for which they submitted a permit application in September, while you’re at it.
You can attend the Reno City Council meeting in person beginning at 10am or virtually by registering here. Comments can be delivered in person, by submitting an online public comment form at Reno.Gov/PublicComment; (2) emailing Publiccomment@reno.gov; (3) leaving a voicemail at 775-393-4499; or 4) participating in the meeting via Zoom.
Wednesday, 11/20: Redevelopment Agency Board
In addition to an item reviewing the investment policy for the Redevelopment Agency and the City, the Board will consider Item C.2 - Resolution amending the bylaws of the Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (RAAB). Here is the Staff Report.
I last wrote about the RAAB in my October 21 Brief. One of the concerns I stated back then—that the staff was recommending far too narrow professional qualifications for RAAB members—was discussed by Council and has since been addressed. Rather than requiring expertise in development-related fields, the bylaws now indicate this:
However, it’s still not clear to me who is making these appointments; does “the Agency” refer to staff, or to the Agency Board (i.e. City Council)? That still requires clarification. The goal is to begin appointing RAAB members in “early 2025.” Public comment for this meeting can be made the same way as for City Council—just be sure to indicate that you’re referring to the Redevelopment agenda (I think these meetings are going to have to start being treated separately in the future, to avoid confusion).
Thursday, 11/21: Reno Planning Commission meeting
Multiple projects are scheduled for review by the Reno Planning Commission on Thursday (not their usual day). You can attend in person at 6:00pm in Council Chambers or online by registering here. All Staff Reports and associated materials can be accessed via the online meeting agenda.
Item 5.1 - LDC25-00003 (2400 West 7th Street)
Item 5.2 - LDC25-00011 (ArrowLeaf Zoning Map Amendment)
Item 5.3 - LDC25-00012 (ArrowLeaf Apartments Conditional Use Permit)
Item 5.4 - LDC25-00010 (Security Circle Yard Zoning Map Amendment)
Also of note on the agenda are two broader items:
Item 5.5 - Zoning Code Clean-Up (there’s no Staff Report as of 11/17/24)
Item 6 - Training on the Importance of Land Use Findings
Thursday, 11/21: Ward 4 NAB meeting
The Ward 4 NAB will be discussing numerous development projects in their meeting at 6:00pm on November 21. You can participate in person at the North Valleys Library or virtually by registering here. Projects to be reviewed include the following:
LDC25-00013: Advanced Purified Water Facility at American Flat
LDC25-00014: Webb Data Center (near the intersection of North Virginia Street and Stead Boulevard)
LDC25-00019: Orrcrest Drive Zoning Map Amendment
Ongoing: RTC Neighborhood Network Plan
The RTC Active Transportation Program is currently developing Neighborhood Network Plans “to make walking, biking, and rolling safer and more comfortable in the Truckee Meadows.” In the words of the RTC, “The Neighborhood Network Plans will address these concerns by developing specific project concepts tailored to the needs of each neighborhood with the goal of improving safety and creating a comfortable experience for everyone. These Plans seek to identify quick-build and pilot projects that can be implemented in cost-effective and time-efficient manner.”
These plans divide the Truckee Meadows into twelve neighborhoods, beginning with Central Reno/MidTown and Central Sparks, already in progress. They’re intended to be completed over the course of approximately five years and will be updated regularly after initial adoption. You can find more information about the plans, a map of the 12 neighborhoods, and upcoming opportunities for input here.
Update on the Lear Theater (501 Riverside Drive)
As I previewed last time, the Historical Resources Commission met on November 14 to review the Historic Structure Report recently completed for the Lear Theater. The report not only assesses the building’s condition and lays out recommendations for work and repairs, but presents two main alternatives for adapting the building for a new use, either as an arts and cultural center or a performing arts venue.
The HRC chose not to recommend any particular option to Reno City Council, but will be recommending that the City treat the stabilization of the building as an emergency; initiate an assessment of community needs for various types of venues; begin planning a series of community stakeholder and focus groups to gain insight into community preferences; identify all possible sources of funding; and take steps to construct the temporary perimeter fence that Council already approved.
As staff reported at the meeting outset, that last plan has suffered a major setback with the news that the City received no bids on the contract for the fencing and landscaping improvements that were slated to be completed using approximately $800,000 in ARPA funds. That means it’s likely too late to use those funds for that purpose, since they need to be allocated by the end of December.
There was some question of whether the “Building Stabilization” steps recommended in the report can be accomplished using those funds, since they were already allocated to this property, and I don’t think that has been resolved. Stay tuned for more City Council discussion of that and other issues when the Historic Structure Report is presented to them, along with the HRC recommendations, sometime in December.
News Digest: The Latest in Local Urban Development
“Reno City Council approves Bella Vista development changes, removing watering requirements for horses” (Kelsey Penrose, This is Reno, 11/16/24)
“Reno movie theater closes November 14, leaves void in downtown” (Kim Burrows, News4Reno, 11/14/2024). The theater opened in November 1999.
Lastly, remember to apply to serve on your NAB if that interests you!
Be sure to check out my Citizen Guide for helpful resources and links for anyone hoping to become more informed and engaged in issues related to urban development (& more) in Reno.
As always, you can view this and prior newsletters on my Substack site, subscribe to receive each new edition in your email inbox, and follow the Brief (and contribute to the ongoing conversation) on X, Facebook & Instagram. If you feel inspired to support my writing and research with a financial contribution, you can sign up for a paid subscription through my Substack site or contribute to my Venmo account at @Dr-Alicia-Barber or via check to Alicia Barber at P.O. Box 11955, Reno, NV 89510. Thanks so much for reading, and have a great week.