Washoe County Board of Adjustment Meeting - May 7, 2026
Washoe County Board of Adjustment Meeting - May 7, 2026
The Washoe County Board of Adjustment met on May 7, 2026 at 9:30 AM. A quorum was present (Peter Gashan, Rob Pierce, Kathy Julian, Pat Caldwell, Leo Harishni). The board approved the agenda and minutes from the April 2, 2026 meeting unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda for May 7, 2026.
- Approved the minutes of April 2, 2026 as presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were received in chambers or via Zoom for any agenda item.
Discussion Items
8A – WAC26-005: Black Rock 360 (Burning Man Project)
Staff presented a request for a four-year extension (to May 4, 2030) of conditions for Special Use Permit WSUP210012, which allows inoperable vehicle storage, light wholesaling, and major grading on 360 acres north of Gerlach. The applicant cited delays due to obtaining an NDEP wastewater discharge permit (dry vac system, first-of-its-kind in Nevada) and resolving geothermal water rights challenges with Ormat. Significant grading, a water well, and building procurement are complete. Board members asked about water rights (sufficient, thousands of acre-feet, state engineer approval pending) and the need for a four-year extension (applicant wanted to avoid repeated shorter extensions). Staff added a condition requiring proof of water rights. The board unanimously approved the amendment with the added condition.
8B – WADMIN26-0004: Community Pancake Breakfast (North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District)
Staff presented an administrative permit for a pancake breakfast on July 3, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at 875 Tanager Street, with an estimated 500 attendees. The event has been held for over 20 years and includes pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, and juice. The applicant requested approval via Zoom, noting no ham this year but promising syrup. The board unanimously approved the permit.
8C – WADMIN26-0003: League to Save Lake Tahoe Fashion Show and Luncheon
Staff presented an administrative permit for an invitation-only fashion show and luncheon on August 1, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the beach at 1047-1055 Lakeshore Boulevard, with up to 475 guests and 50 support staff. No applicant was present. The board unanimously approved the permit.
Key Outcomes
- WAC26-005: Approved with an additional condition requiring proof of water rights. (Motion by Rob Pierce, second by Leo Harishni; vote: 5-0)
- WADMIN26-0004: Approved as presented. (Motion by Pat Caldwell, second by Kathy Julian; vote: 5-0)
- WADMIN26-0003: Approved as presented. (Motion by Leo Harishni, second by Rob Pierce; vote: 5-0)
- The board acknowledged that the County Commission affirmed the board's prior approval of the Colter Wall Height variance on April 28, 2026.
- Recording secretary Adriana was recognized for her service on her last meeting with the board.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Uh good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to call uh the Washoe County Board of Adjustment for May 7, 2026 meeting uh to order. May we please have a determination of quorum Peter Gashan present. Rob Pierce. Present. Kathy Julian. Present. Pat Caldwell. Present. Leo Harishni. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you. All right. If we would all uh stand and join us in the uh Pledge of Allegiance, please. I Pledge Allegiance to the Black of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation and under God individual with liberty and justice for all. All right. Uh glad to see Miss Hickman back with us. May we please have the ethics law announcement. Yes, board members are reminded that if with respect to any matter or any person coming before the board today, you've received a gift or a loan, you have a pecuniary interest, you have a commitment in a private capacity, such as family employment, business or similar relationship, or if you've provided representation or counseling before an agency to a person or entity for compensation within the last year on a matter that's being considered. You have an obligation to disclose the gift loan interest commitment or prior representation at the time the matter is being considered. You must furthermore abstain from deliberation or voting on the matter if it's clear that the gift loan interest commitment or prior representation would materially affect the independence of judgment of a reasonable person. Board members are also reminded under board of adjustment rules. If you've had any contact outside this meeting with any person interested in a matter coming before the board, you should disclose the nature of that contact at this meeting. Thank you. Um Mr. Lloyd, the appeal procedures, please. Yeah, most decisions rendered by the Board of Adjustment are appealable to the Board of County Commissioners. If you disagree with the decision of the Board of Adjustment and qualify as an aggrieved person or party, you may appeal in writing within 10 calendar days from the date that the decision being appealed is reduced to writing, filed with the Secretary of the Board of Adjustment and mailed to the original applicant and the proceeding being appealed in accordance with Washoe County Code. Please call the planning staff immediately at 775-328-6100 for information on the appeal procedure and the application fee. Thank you. At this time, I'd like to call for any general public comment. Okay, thank you. Today's agenda, May 7, 2026. Uh any comments, changes requested. I'll entertain a motion. This is Leo Arishni. I second. Uh we have a motion and a second to approve the May 7, 2026 agenda. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. Motion carries. Uh as to the last meeting minutes, uh April 2nd, 2026. Have you all reviewed those draft minutes? Any comments or questions? No.
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