Washoe County Planning Commission Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Washoe County Planning Commission met on August 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM to consider three public hearing items: an easement abandonment request (Novich), a special use permit for a solar facility (NV Solar WRX), and a tentative subdivision map with special use permit for senior housing (Silverado Village Phase 3). The meeting also included consent agenda items, election of officers, and staff reports.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: Motion by Commissioner Barnes, seconded, passed unanimously.
• Minutes Approval: Motion by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Owens, passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: No items pulled; motion by Commissioner Owens, seconded, passed unanimously after no public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

Novich Abandonment (WAB 25-0009)

• Marcy Welch (resident since 1982): Opposed complete abandonment; valued trail easement as a property amenity.
• Chip Cooper (4285 Ross Drive): Opposed full abandonment; supported compromise width; concerned about precedent.
• Tammy Ruff (4201 Palomino Circle): Opposed abandonment; family history of use; noted other projects comply with easement.
• Julie O'Lander (speaker): Opposed full abandonment; supported partial (10-15 feet); referenced prior denial in 1998.
• Krista Waddington (4159 Latigo Drive): Opposed abandonment; spoke 27 years ago same issue; amenable to 15-foot retained.
• Angela Beal (Bridal Way): Opposed full abandonment; uses trails; supported 15-foot compromise.
• Adam Tettelman (4375 Bridal Way): Opposed full abandonment; valued trail network; amenable to 15-foot.
• Christy Vallis (4965 Ross Drive): Opposed abandonment; collected 60+ signatures; argued staff findings may be flawed.
• Nancy Olson (4180 Hackamore Drive): Opposed abandonment; requested denial.
• Sandra Beckett (5485 Fenway): Opposed abandonment; walking group; safety concerns; requested denial.
• Applicant Chris Novich: Argued easement never developed/used; opponents misled; requested full abandonment.

NV Solar WRX (WSCP 26-0008)

• Adisa Day (Protect Our Winters Reno): Supported project; cited clean energy benefits (450,000 homes, 765,000 tons CO2 reduction); urged community benefits and transparency.
• Two emails of support received (noted by staff).

Silverado Village Phase 3 (WTM 26-001 / WSUP 26-0002)

• One speaker (Bill Oberg) attempted comment but audio was inaudible; no effective public comment.

Discussion Items

1. Novich Abandonment (WAB 25-0009)

• Staff recommended partial approval: abandon 18 feet, retain 12-foot easement based on trail design standards (6-foot minimum, 12-foot optimal for equestrian). Historic context: easement created in 1959, classified as unbuilt alternative in 1998, never developed or maintained by county. Public comments showed strong interest in retaining a corridor. Commissioner Kennedy questioned the 18/12 split, suggesting 50-50 might be more appropriate. Applicant argued full abandonment, citing lack of use and burden on property owners (setbacks). After discussion, a motion to deny failed for lack of a second. Motion for partial approval (abandon 15 feet, retain 15 feet) was made by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded, and passed unanimously.

2. NV Solar WRX (WSCP 26-0008)

• Staff presented: 450 MW solar, 200 MW battery storage, 345 kV transmission line extension on 1,680 acres in Honey Lake Valley. Requests variancies for parking, landscaping (arid site), and height (100 feet for transmission poles). Project is a regional significance. Applicant (Austin Moore, Verdantis via Zoom) described timeline: seeking FERC interconnection, construction 2-4 years out. Commissioner Fleck asked about timeline and approvals. No opposition; two public support letters. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Motion made, seconded, passed unanimously.

3. Silverado Village at Eagle Canyon Phase 3 (WTM 26-001 / WSUP 26-0002)

• Staff and applicant (Stacy Huggins, Wood Rogers) presented: 81-lot senior housing subdivision (age-restricted, deed restriction) on 13.55 acres zoned NC. Density 5.97 units/acre (25% bonus for senior housing). Gated community with two emergency accesses; no connection to Firestone Street per neighborhood concerns. Common open space (48%), paseo paths, amenities (clubhouse, pickleball). All utilities available. No opposition. Motion to approve made by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Owens, passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Novich Abandonment: Partially approved (15 feet abandoned, 15 feet retained). Conditions in Exhibit A apply; revised legal descriptions and exhibit maps must be approved by Engineering. Unanimous approval.
• NV Solar WRX: Special use permit approved with conditions (Exhibit A). Unanimous approval.
• Silverado Village Phase 3: Tentative subdivision map and special use permit approved with conditions (Exhibit A). Unanimous approval.
• Officer Elections: Commissioner Owens appointed as Planning Commission representative to the Washoe County Postal Map Review Committee (Commissioner Barnes as alternate). Chair renominated (Commissioner Nelson) and Vice Chair (Commissioner Kennedy) elected for the next year. Both unanimous.
• Staff Reports: Update on common open space findings adoption (effective from previous month). Heat mitigation plan and equine code update scheduled for Board of County Commissioners on August 25, 2026.