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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Sparks Planning Commission Meeting: October 16, 2026

City Council & Boards — Friday, October 16, 2026

BodySparks, Nevada

SessionCity Council & Boards

DateFriday, October 16, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:13:03

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

5:02

Here.

5:03

Commissioner Sherbert.

5:05

Commissioner Lebanon.

Speaker 2

5:13

All right.

5:13

Thank you.

5:14

Commissioner Rossett, would you leave us in the pledge?

Unassigned speaker

5:26

And to the Republic for which to stand.

Unassigned speaker

5:29

One nation, undervalid,

Speaker 1

5:32

individual score.

Speaker 2

5:39

All right.

5:41

Next up is uh general public comment.

5:44

Uh this is a opportunity for members of the public to speak on uh any uh matter that they wish.

5:52

Is there any member of the public wishing to speak at this

Unassigned speaker

5:54

time?

Unassigned speaker

5:55

All

Speaker 2

5:56

right, seeing none, I will close public comment and move on to item five approval.

Speaker 3

6:00

Just to make a record, there was a written public comment that we received, but it relates to the foothills at Winfield application.

6:10

I I think that's the one that was in front of the planning commission in June, but uh we wanted to include it in the record since we received it, but that is in front of everybody.

6:21

Thank you very much.

Unassigned speaker

6:22

Thanks.

Unassigned speaker

6:23

All

Speaker 2

6:23

right, then I will close public comment and then move to item five approval of the agenda.

Speaker 1

6:35

Mr.

6:35

Chair, I move to approve the agenda as submitted.

6:38

I second that.

Unassigned speaker

6:40

All

Speaker 2

6:40

right, we have motion by Commissioner Kramer, second by Commissioner Reed.

6:43

Any discussion?

6:44

All right, see none, please vote.

6:51

And motion passes unanimously.

6:53

Right.

6:54

Item six, approval of the minutes.

Speaker 1

7:03

Mr.

7:04

Chair, I move to approve the minutes of the planning commission study session held

Speaker 4

7:07

on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, and the planning commission meeting held on Thursday, August 20th, 26th.

Unassigned speaker

7:16

All

Speaker 2

7:16

right, we have a motion by Commissioner Kramer, second by Commissioner Reed.

7:19

Any discussion?

7:21

See none, please cast your votes.

7:25

And motion passes unanimously.

7:29

Right, item seven announcements presentations recognition items.

7:33

Uh so 7.1 consideration, discussion, and possible adoption of resolution number 231, commending James Rundle for his many years of service with the City of Sparks.

Speaker 5

7:42

Yeah.

7:43

Uh thank you, Mr.

7:44

Vice Chair.

7:45

Um tonight it is my distinct pleasure to walk through our resolution of appreciation for our illustrious community services director, uh Mr.

7:56

James Rundle.

7:58

And so um just to start out here, whereas James Rundle began his career with the City of Sparks on September 10th, 2001 and served until October 7th, 2026.

8:12

And whereas James Rundle served as assistant planner, associate planner, senior planner, planning manager, city planner, assistant community services director, and community services director, and whereas James Rundle unselfishly committed his time and knowledge to making significant contributions to planning and redevelopment in the city of Sparks during his tenure as a member of Spark staff, and whereas James Rundle attended hundreds of public meetings, workshops, and study sessions during his tenure at Sparks, and whereas James Rundle participated in the West Pyramid Area Plan,

Unassigned speaker

8:53

the

Speaker 5

8:53

transit-oriented development master plan and regulations, zoning code modernization, Sparks Comprehensive Plan, and was instrumental in the acquisition and design of a new city hall, and whereas James Rundle engaged in the regional planning process on behalf of the City of Sparks, participating in numerous updates to the Trekkie Meadows Regional Plan, policy discussions and studies, and whereas James Rundle represented the City of Sparks in regional transportation planning efforts, including several updates to the regional transportation plan and as a member of the regional road impact fee technical advisory committee, and whereas James Rundle wholeheartedly supported his colleagues, providing mentorship, advice, and sharing his experience and knowledge,

Unassigned speaker

9:42

and

Speaker 5

9:42

whereas James Rundle always observed, appreciated, and recognized the contributions of his fellow colleagues working to better the Sparks community.

Unassigned speaker

9:52

And whereas James Rundle compassionately approached each member of staff as an equal, even when they were not fans of the San Francisco Giants.

Speaker 5

10:02

And whereas the Sparks Planning Commission recognizes James Rundle's boundless dedication to the City of Sparks.

10:10

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Sparks Planning Commission acknowledges and sincerely appreciates the invaluable contributions that James Rendell has made to the City of Sparks during his tenure.

10:23

This would be passed and adopted this 15th day of October 26th by the Sparks Planning Commission.

Unassigned speaker

10:30

I

Speaker 5

10:30

think at this point, if folks want to say anything to Jim, since we do have him here, he is available to hear whatever we have to say.

Speaker 6

10:46

Well, thank you, Vice Chair Princess.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Use Planning██████████████████████████26%

Affordable Housing████████████████16%

Procedural████████████12%

Economic Development████████████12%

Public Transportation███████████11%

Educator Appreciation████████8%

Personnel Matters████████8%

Public Engagement████4%

Homelessness██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Sparks Planning Commission Meeting: October 16, 2026

The Sparks Planning Commission met on October 16, 2026, to consider several items including the recognition of a retiring staff member, conditional use permits, an affordable housing development agreement, land use changes for a commercial property, and the endorsement of the FY26 Regional Annual Report. All votes and actions taken during the meeting were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

The commission unanimously approved the agenda (motion by Commissioner Kramer, second by Commissioner Reed).
The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the August 18, 2026, study session and the August 20, 2026, regular meeting (motion by Commissioner Kramer, second by Commissioner Reed).

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the general public comment period. One written comment was received regarding the Foothills at Winfield application, which was not on the current agenda.
No public testimony was offered during the public hearings for items 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, or the final public comment period.

Discussion Items

Recognition of James Rundle (Resolution 231): The commission honored James Rundle for his 25 years of service with the City of Sparks, where he served in various roles including Community Services Director. Commissioners and staff praised his encyclopedic knowledge of zoning codes, mentorship, and dedication. Mr. Rundle thanked his family and the staff, reflecting on the city's population growth from 70,000 to 120,000 during his tenure. The resolution passed unanimously.
Conditional Use Permit for Audi District Project (PCN 20-0016 / CU 26-0013): Development Services Manager Scott Carey presented a request for four uses at the site of a former Lowe's: a vocational school (National Technical Institute), a University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering space, a craft coffee roastery, and a drive-through ATM. Staff found the proposal compatible with the comprehensive plan, noting a reduction in estimated average daily traffic trips from 6,363 to 4,930 compared to the previous retail use, and a surplus of 84 parking spaces. The applicant, Doug Wheely of Foothill Partners, expressed support for the staff analysis. The commission approved the permit unanimously with nine conditions.
Development Agreement for Silver Sage Manor (PCN 26-0012): Housing Specialist Amy Jones presented a proposed development agreement to transfer a city-owned vacant parcel on 4th Street to Silver Sage Manor for an affordable senior housing project. The project requires a minimum of 16 dwelling units for households earning 50% or below the Area Median Income (AMI) with a 50-year affordability period, as permitted under NRS 268058. Executive Director Chip Hobson expressed strong support for the project, noting it was a planned expansion of the adjacent Lincoln Way Senior Apartments. The commission recommended approval to the City Council unanimously.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Annexation, and Rezone (PCN 26-0011): Scott Carey presented three related requests for a 9.55-acre site at La Posada Drive and Pyramid Way, currently home to a car wash and storage facility. The requests included assigning a commercial land use designation (MPA 26-0004), annexing the property into the city (ANX 26-002), and rezoning it from C1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to C2 (General Commercial) (RZ 26-0002). A fiscal impact analysis projected a general fund surplus of $5,599,000 and a road fund surplus of $29,000 over a 20-year period. The commission unanimously recommended approval of all three items to the City Council.
FY26 Regional Annual Report: City Planner Siena Reed presented the state-mandated report detailing the City of Sparks' activities in support of the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan. Highlights included the city's certified population growth to 117,116, the use of $740,000 in CDBG funds and $3 million in Home Means Nevada Initiative funds for affordable housing and infrastructure, and participation in regional planning efforts. The commission unanimously voted to endorse the report and forward it to the Regional Planning Commission and Governing Board.

Key Outcomes

Adopted Resolution 231: Commending James Rundle for 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Sparks. (Unanimous)
Approved CU 26-0013: Conditional use permit for the Audi District Project, allowing a vocational school, university space, coffee roastery, and drive-through ATM. (Unanimous)
Forwarded Recommendation to City Council for PCN 26-0012: Recommended approval of a development agreement with Silver Sage Manor for a 16-unit affordable senior housing project. (Unanimous)
Forwarded Recommendation to City Council for PCN 26-0011: Recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment, annexation, and rezone for the site at La Posada Drive and Pyramid Way. (Unanimous)
Endorsed the FY26 Regional Annual Report: Forwarded to the Regional Planning Commission and Governing Board. (Unanimous)

Meeting Transcript

Here. Commissioner Sherbert. Commissioner Lebanon. All right. Thank you. Commissioner Rossett, would you leave us in the pledge? And to the Republic for which to stand. One nation, undervalid, individual score. All right. Next up is uh general public comment. Uh this is a opportunity for members of the public to speak on uh any uh matter that they wish. Is there any member of the public wishing to speak at this time? All right, seeing none, I will close public comment and move on to item five approval. Just to make a record, there was a written public comment that we received, but it relates to the foothills at Winfield application. I I think that's the one that was in front of the planning commission in June, but uh we wanted to include it in the record since we received it, but that is in front of everybody. Thank you very much. Thanks. All right, then I will close public comment and then move to item five approval of the agenda. Mr. Chair, I move to approve the agenda as submitted. I second that. All right, we have motion by Commissioner Kramer, second by Commissioner Reed. Any discussion? All right, see none, please vote. And motion passes unanimously. Right. Item six, approval of the minutes. Mr. Chair, I move to approve the minutes of the planning commission study session held on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, and the planning commission meeting held on Thursday, August 20th, 26th. All right, we have a motion by Commissioner Kramer, second by Commissioner Reed. Any discussion? See none, please cast your votes. And motion passes unanimously. Right, item seven announcements presentations recognition items. Uh so 7.1 consideration, discussion, and possible adoption of resolution number 231, commending James Rundle for his many years of service with the City of Sparks. Yeah. Uh thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Um tonight it is my distinct pleasure to walk through our resolution of appreciation for our illustrious community services director, uh Mr. James Rundle. And so um just to start out here, whereas James Rundle began his career with the City of Sparks on September 10th, 2001 and served until October 7th, 2026. And whereas James Rundle served as assistant planner, associate planner, senior planner, planning manager, city planner, assistant community services director, and community services director, and whereas James Rundle unselfishly committed his time and knowledge to making significant contributions to planning and redevelopment in the city of Sparks during his tenure as a member of Spark staff, and whereas James Rundle attended hundreds of public meetings, workshops, and study sessions during his tenure at Sparks, and whereas James Rundle participated in the West Pyramid Area Plan, the

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