Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reno public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in development with high priority
Gorelick Density Increase at Taylor and Arlington
The Gorelick application asks to more than double allowed density — from 14 to 30 units per acre — on four parcels at the northeast corner of West Taylor Street and South Arlington Street. Neighbors will want to weigh in before the Planning Commission hears it December 3.
Lear Theater Stabilization and Historic Preservation
The board allocated $2 million toward interior stabilization, exterior blight remediation, and feasibility studies for the historic Lear Theater.
Quilici Ranch mass grading and hillside development
A nearly 20-acre multi-family site would see mass grading with cuts deeper than 20 feet and fills over 10 feet, including within designated open space land. Neighbors may care about hillside impacts, drainage, and loss of open space.
Planning Commission Bylaws and Consent Agenda Rules
New rules will create a consent agenda for routine items, require commissioners to attend 75% of meetings, and limit virtual attendance to six meetings a year with cameras on during discussion. Removal triggers now hinge on attendance, not minor camera slips.
West 4th Street Roundabout Public Art Task Force Formation
Reno is commissioning a $200,000 large-scale sculpture for the new roundabout at West Fourth Street and Summit Ridge Drive, and the task force decided who can compete for it. The approved call opens eligibility nationwide but requires artists to show a genuine connection to Reno or the region and include a sense of place/historical component shaped by community engagement.
J Resort Pedestrian Skyways
A 4-3 split recommended Council approve two glass skybridges over Fourth and Ralston Streets connecting the J Resort to a future parking garage and pool/spa — one topped with a replica 1964 Reno Arch. Opponents, including historic preservationists and urbanists, argued the skyways kill street-level activity and blur Reno's authentic history.
Eisan Avenue Right-of-Way Abandonment
Adjacent property owners want the city to abandon a dead-end stretch of East Fifth Street east of Tacchino Street, saying it's misused for illegal camping. Board members flagged that a dirt road there gives the Coney Island Bar informal access — and the applicants haven't talked to the bar yet.
Reno's Neon Line District Pedestrian Walkways Design
The committee reviewed a proposal by Jacobs Entertainment for two elevated skyways connecting the J Resort across West Fourth Street and Ralston Street. Discussions centered on architectural transparency, compatibility with design guidelines, the impact of a replica Reno arch sign, and street-level pedestrian connectivity.
Mountain View Estates Phase 5 Subdivision
Northern Nevada Homes received approval for a massive 394-lot townhome subdivision on a 30.5-acre site off Ferrari McLeod Boulevard. The project includes significant infrastructure commitments, such as a new traffic signal at Parr Boulevard and Ferrari, extensive parking management, and restoration of a previously disturbed major drainageway.
Landscape Construction Facility and Outdoor Storage on North Virginia Street
A developer requested entitlements to grade a 16.78-acre site and establish a landscape construction facility with outdoor storage and future super pads, prompting neighborhood and commissioner scrutiny over grading, setbacks, and screening.
Reno Pro Soccer Stadium project accessibility
The board was scheduled for an update on the stadium project, likely including how accessible the venue will be for people with disabilities. Accessible stadium design affects seating, entrances, and transit access for thousands of fans.
North Hills Townhomes Development Appeal
Residents appealed a 336-unit townhome project due to traffic and infrastructure concerns. City Council denied the appeal and added a condition requiring the developer to consult with the RTC on installing a traffic light at Beckwourth Drive and North Hills Boulevard.
Building Division Permitting and Code Updates
Reno launched a new digital permit submittal system that speeds up reviews and collaboration, with plans to bring outside agencies like Washoe County into the digital loop.
Moose Ridge Residential Development & Open Space
A developer is proposing a 46-unit single-family subdivision north of Moose Ridge Drive, setting aside 20 acres as protected open space. Nearby residents questioned whether high-density zoning fits into a neighborhood with much larger existing lots.
Starfield ONE Multi-Family Infill Development
A developer wants to cut the required 15-foot side setback in half for an apartment project on University Terrace so fire truck ladders can reach the upper floor. Neighbors near Hillside Cemetery wanted to make sure the cemetery's dirt road stays untouched — the developer says it will.
Lear Theater Economic Feasibility Study and Redevelopment
The historic Lear at 501 Riverside Drive needs stabilization before any reuse is possible. The commission recommended four steps to City Council: stabilization funding, a feasibility study, a subcommittee/working group, and community fundraising. About $2 million in Redevelopment Agency funds could be available after July 2026, and a community survey is open through the end of January.
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Voting Rights and Annexation
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony residents on unincorporated land can't vote in city elections unless their parcels annex into Reno. The committee is exploring whether a solution exists — or whether to put the issue to rest.