Washoe County Planning Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026
Washoe County Planning Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026
The Washoe County Planning Commission met on July 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM to consider several agenda items, including an easement abandonment, a time extension for a transmission line, an equine business code update, and a heat mitigation plan. The meeting included public comment, approval of the agenda and minutes, and unanimous votes on most items, with one item passing 4-1. Commissioner Rob Pierce gave a farewell address as his term ended.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the July 7, 2026 meeting agenda.
- Unanimously approved the June 2, 2026 draft minutes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rob Pierce (outgoing commissioner): Expressed gratitude for his service, emphasizing fact-based decision-making and respect for staff and public involvement.
- Veronica Cortez (Sun Valley resident): Raised concerns about Sun Valley being a "cash cow" for the county, criticized lack of action on safety issues (e.g., crosswalk accidents), alleged voter fraud, and requested a future agenda item on desired growth patterns for Sun Valley.
- Kurt Gensheimer (Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship): Opposed the NV Energy transmission line extension, arguing it would damage popular trail networks and ignored recreational impacts. Stated $350,000 in grants invested in trails.
- Catherine Yarte (Team Yarte Horsemanship): Supported the equine business code update, citing personal experience with outdated codes and the economic importance of the equine industry ($177 billion nationally).
- Deanna Newcomb (18-year resident): Generally supported the equine code update but expressed concern that small equine facilities in low-density suburban (LDS) areas would now require administrative review for boarding 1-2 horses, urging a definition change to 3-8 horses.
- Landis Whitmer (Silver Circle Ranch): Also concerned about administrative review for small boarding operations in LDS zones, noting it would affect many family farms.
- Veronica Cortez (final public comment): Highlighted lack of progress on Sun Valley growth pattern agenda item requested since November 2025, and noted that reducing paved parking requirements for horse facilities could help mitigate heat.
Discussion Items
- 8A - Easement Abandonment (WAB 26-0005): The applicant sought to abandon a 13-foot portion of a 33-foot road and utility easement at 5399 Mountain Ranch Road. Staff recommended approval with conditions. No public comment. Unanimously approved.
- 8B - NV Energy Transmission Line Extension (WAC 26-0008): Request to extend by two years the time to obtain building permits for a 10.8-mile, 120 kV overhead transmission line. Public comment opposed the project overall, but staff clarified the vote was only on the time extension. Approved 4-1 (one nay).
- 8C - Equine Business Code Update (WDCA 26-0003): Proposed creating three tiers of equine facilities (small: 1-8 horses, medium: 9-20, large: 21+) with different permitting, reduced landscaping, and allowance for temporary bathrooms. Also revised parking and landscaping requirements for agricultural uses. Support from equine community, but concerns about LDS areas clarified by staff (small facilities with <3 horses remain by right). Unanimously approved.
- 8D - Heat Mitigation Plan (WMPA 26-0001): Amendment to Envision Washoe 2040 to address extreme heat and urban heat islands, including policies on public cooling spaces, drinking water, shade, and cool building practices. Based on AB 96 and local data showing a 23°F temperature differential. Staff responded to questions about water availability. Unanimously approved.
Key Outcomes
- Approved WAB 26-0005 (easement abandonment) unanimously with conditions.
- Approved WAC 26-0008 (NV Energy time extension) 4-1 (motion by Owens, second by Nelson; one nay).
- Approved WDCA 26-0003 (equine code update) unanimously, directing staff to present to the Board of County Commissioners within 60 days.
- Approved WMPA 26-0001 (heat mitigation plan) unanimously, certifying the resolution for submission to the Board of County Commissioners.
- Staff reported that WDCA 26-0002 (common open space findings) had its first reading and is scheduled for second reading on July 14, 2026; attainable housing and small unit density incentive DCAs were adopted by the board on June 16, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
We'll call the July seventh, twenty twenty-six. This meeting is being recorded. We're gonna go ahead and uh call the July seventh, twenty twenty-six um planning commission meeting to order. It is six PM. Can we get the roll call, please? Here, Mike Flick. Thank you. Linda Kennedy. Go ahead and unmute Linda. Just a moment. Let me unmute. Okay, now we can hear you, Linda. Go ahead and say you're here. Here, I can't hear you. You can't hear me now. No, I could but before it could be. Yeah, because you're muted, so we're good. Thank you. Kate Nelson. Here. Jim Barnes here. And Amy Owens. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. This is fraud. Legal, can we have the ethics law announcement, please? Commissioners are reminded that if with respect to any matter or any person coming before the commissioner 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 being considered, you must disclose that gift loan interest commitment or prior representation at the time the matter is being considered. Furthermore, you must abstain from deliberation or voting on the matter. If it's clear the gift loan interest commitment or prior representation would materially affect the independence of judgment of a reasonable person. Commissioners are also reminded under planning commission rules. If you've had any contact outside this meeting with any person interested in a matter coming before the commission, you should disclose the nature of that contact. Thank you, Kat. Can we have the appeal procedure, please? Yes. Most decisions rendered by the planning commission are appealable to the Board of County Commissioners. If you disagree with the decision of the planning commission and you qualify as an aggrieved person or party, you may appeal in writing within ten calendar days from the date that decision being appealed is reduced to writing, filed with the Secretary of the Planning Commission and mailed to the original applicant in the proceeding being appealed in accordance with Washoe County Code. Please call the planning staff immediately at seven seven five three two eight six one zero zero for information on the appeal procedure and application fee. Thank you. We'll move on to public comment. Comments heard under this item will be limited to three minutes per person and may pertain to matters matters both on and off the agenda. However, action may not be taken on any matter raised during this public comment period until the matter is specifically listed on the agenda as an action item. Comments are to be made to the planning commission as a whole. Do we have any public comment? I have no general public comment in chambers. Looks like I have one hand raised on Zoom. Go ahead and unmute. Hello, Sir Rob Pierce for the record. Fellow commissioners, county staff, and members of the public.
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