The company, Blockchains LLC, have purchased 67,000 acres in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.  They have opened a new center remodeled from an existing building.  They plan to hire 1,000 employees by 2021.   It is not clear how they plan to use the land they’ve acquired.  The corporation did not get tax breaks, but were attracted by a recent law prohibiting the taxation of blockchain and crypto-currency.  See the Nevada Independent article.

LINK

The 1438 unit Sierra Reflections development between 395 and 580 in Steamboat is on hold.  The developer’s approval for the project will expire in 2020 if the final map is not submitted and approved by then.  Work cannot proceed until the final map has been submitted and the County’s conditions of acceptance have been met.  But, the County has been hearing from a developer who may want to proceed soon (Trevor Lloyd).  Look for details and the complete plan submission to the County on the Washoe Developments page.  LINK

Also, take a look at “In the Media”.  This page gets the most frequent updates with articles and opinion pieces found that relate to development.  LINK

The South Valleys Citizens Advisory Board showed once again that they faithfully represent the interests of neighbors and residents in contrast to the Planning Commission and County Commission that consistently favor the developers.

The meeting opened with several residents expressing their opposition to the Washoe County Lands Bill as drafted.  This may have been due to the fact that Commissioner Lucey had planned to come to speak about the bill, but later cancelled.

The principal application before the Board was a development called The Estates at Marango Springs.  This 80 acre development is along the Toll Road in the Geiger Grade area.  The application was to change the zoning from several types of rural to all low-density suburban (1 dwelling per acre).  The existing zoning, consistent with the South Valleys Plan, permits up to 11 dwellings on these 80 acres.  The new zoning would permit 80 dwellings at the far end of Toll Rd.  This application was just to change the zoning and make an amendment to the South Valleys Plan to permit the higher density.  There is no tentative map showing the individual lots, connecting roads and utilities.  But, this is the crucial step.  If the rezoning is approved, then the higher density development is permitted with it’s flood risk, increased traffic, and related problems.  The residents present expressed the following concerns.

• Runoff drainage and erosion are a problem.  It will get worse with more development.
• Fire evacuation from Toll Rd was terrible during the 2003 wildfire.  It will be much worse with 80 more homes.
• The developer, Fry, has a history of not fulfilling his obligations on other developments.
• There is no water available to support 80 more homes.
• The South Valleys Plan took five years to develop.  It’s the best template for responsible development and should be adhered to.
• Washoe County admitted that they only had 2 code inspectors for the entire county.  There’s no confidence that compliance would be enforced.

Two staffers from the Washoe County Planning Department were present.  They argued that residents should trust the developer and the County to have a good plan when the county’s conditions were applied to the developer’s design.  Residents laughed in derision.  One resident pointed out that such a proposal must have an impact report submitted with it per the South Valleys Area Plan.  The staffers admitted there was no such report.  One resident challenged “Has the planning department ever turned down a development plan?”  The staffers struggled to think of a single case.  The response “Lemmon Valley Drive”.  There is no development by that name.  The Lemmon Valley Heights project was approved by the planning staff.  So, they couldn’t think of a single denial.  Ponder that.

Due to a “severe credibility problem” the motion was made to “reject this proposal lock, stock, and barrel”.  The motion carried unanimously.

More information: LINK

A fatal collision on Saturday, May 5, revealed a broad neighborhood consensus that something needed to be done to address traffic hazards on Mount Rose Highway.  Traffic has increased with new developments along the highway while commute traffic between Incline and Reno has increased.  The commuters are driving at higher speeds leaving residents with increasingly dangerous turns into and out of the neighborhoods.

The outcry over the hazards was evident on the Nextdoor site.  Several neighborhood activists planned an open meeting to discuss the issues and what could be done.  We were lucky to get the participation of Planning Commissioner Mike Lawson, NDOT Engineer Thor Dyson, and NHP Major Rob Stepien.  These representatives gave concise, informative presentations and later fielded questions from neighbors for over an hour.  It appeared to be an encouraging display of democracy in action.

Jump to the web page with additional details and several media reports. LINK

“If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”

At the April 26 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, the Board heard the appeal from the Lemmon Valley Recovery Committee against the Lemmon Valley Heights development for the reasons that it would increase flood risk and general risk to public safety.  The Board voted against the appeal 3-1 (Lucey, Berkbigler, and Jung) with Herman supporting the appeal.

Commissioner Lucey argued:

The appellants don’t have standing since their property is more than 500’ from the new development location.  They are not aggrieved and this would set a bad precedent.

The appellants argued:

• Area homes were flooded last year by Swan Lake. The new homes will contribute to flooding.
• Last year Lemmon Valley Drive was flooded preventing emergency vehicles access.
• Mosquitos are bred in the floodwaters and have a range of miles.
• The schools will likely be overcrowded. The developer is making false assumptions.
• The county plans to elevate part of Lemmon Valley Drive, but not the part that flooded.
• The developer plans a new road that is shown going through a retention pond.
• There are no statistics based on measured runoff to make realistic models.
• The retention basin that is there is not percolating and is holding its water level.
• The new retention basins could be mostly filled by a single storm. A second, moderate storm will cause flooding.
• The new development will cause a large increase in impervious-surface area promoting flooding.
• The sewer effluent volume is the same volume as the retention ponds, but it is not considered in the flood analysis.

Commissioner Herman spoke in support of the appellants and said that it would be irresponsible to more forward with this development plan.

The county admitted that the water treatment plant can only function with earthen berms to protect it.  They have had to build up the berms and provide storm pumps to combat the effects of erosion and seepage.

Commissioner Lucey proposed the motion to deny the appeal saying “The appellant has not standing for being outside of the 500’ and I don’t find that the appellant is aggrieved in any manner, way, shape, or form.”  This motion carried 3-1.

See the final discussion and voting in this 4-minute video clip.

See the entire meeting with this LINK.  Select agenda item 24.

Mark Lawson

See our new sign on Mount Rose Highway above the Thomas Creek intersection.  It’s time to publicize the problem and have serious discussions on how to proceed.  There is open talk of a moratorium on development in Lemmon Valley.  Considering that there are already over 100 development projects approved and not built for a total of 60,000 dwellings in Washoe County, it might be time to think of it county wide.

As the new leader for WRAP, I am appalled by some of the recently approved developments (Stonegate and Lemmon Valley Heights come to mind).  But, I am also encouraged by the growing sentiment across the county that we cannot keep going on this way.  The most important way to effect change is through the November elections.  Most of the incumbents support the current form of development.  Vote them out for a change.  Beyond that, there are ways using WRAP to work together effectively and influence development that have not yet been tried.

There is a lot of resistance to the new Lands Bill that would make more land available for development in the Truckee Meadows and make large wilderness areas in the north of the county.  This bill has few supporters.  See an excellent article about it and recent opinion pieces on the In the Media page.

Mark Lawson

With my campaign for county commissioner, I’ve had to largely abandon my efforts in the WRAP group.  I am pleased to say that a new leader has stepped forward to take over my roles as “agent” and “treasurer”.  It is Mark Lawson from Washoe Valley who shares our passion to preserve what is so wonderful about the Truckee Meadows and to defend against bad development with its attendant problems.  I think he is the right person to advance the WRAP agenda and to better fulfill it’s potential.  There are initiatives to inform area residents and to monitor county activities and to support neighborhoods and to influence county procedures that I have not been able to pursue.

For my part, I’m seeking support for my campaign.  With no primary opponent, I have more time to reach voters.  I’m advancing that effort every day.  If elected, I will look to the WRAP group for the perspective of residents along with CAB meetings and public input at commission meetings.  Should I lose my bid for the commission seat, I expect to be active in WRAP once again.  I want to thank the WRAP activists for the support they’ve shown me and all that I have learned from them.  Steve Wolgast

The “Lands Bill” (Washoe County Economic Development and Conservation Act) will be available for public input locally.  It has two portions: an economic development portion (for developers) and a conservation portion (for environmentalists).

The development portion would move 73,000 acres in Washoe County to Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County to the cities and county at some agreed price.  The cities and counties could then sell that land to the developers.  See the maps following the link below.

The conservation portion would reclassify 750,000 acres in the northern part of the county as wilderness making it inaccessible to motorbikes and restrictive for ranchers.  There are presently 175,000 acres of wilderness in northern Nevada.

There are many detractors to both parts of the bill.  Reno and Washoe have allowed irresponsible development (Lemmon Valley, and Stonegate, most recently) with property presently within the county.  The addition of the new development would support the long term target of a population of 800,000 and rampant urban sprawl.  Ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts (other than hikers) are mostly opposed to the conservation portion.

Implementing the bill will require “an act of Congress”.  My understanding is that Washoe County Commissioners Lucey, Berkbigler, Jung, and Hartung are in favor while Herman is opposed.  Senator Heller and Representative Amodei are supportive, but anxious about this unpopular issue during an election year.  The proponents are eager to get the bill passed before the November elections.  If you’re opposed, express yourself to Heller and Amodei directly, fill out the survey, and come to the public meetings.

Express your opinion at the following venues:

Tuesday, April 24, 5:30-7:30 PM regarding the economic development portion, Reno/Sparks Convention Center

Thursday, April 26, 5:30-7:30 regarding the conservation/wilderness portion, Reno/Sparks Convention Center

For more information or to view the updated proposed maps and bill draft language, please visit: http://sp43.com/c/7597/376413/102269

Can’t make the meetings? Share your opinion through our online survey by clicking here.

For questions, please contact: Jamie Rodriguez, JARodriguez@washoecounty.us or (775) 328-2010.

He said it … I think he meant it. …

** MORATORIUM **

… did you feel the earth move?

It was at the end of tonight’s Planning Commission Meeting …

• Commissioner Chesney “What are we doing about the situation in Lemmon Valley?”
• Engineer Trevor Lloyd “The Board of County Commissioners is working on it.”
• … some murmurs …
• Commissioner Chesney “Shouldn’t we have some kind of moratorium on building there until that situation is sorted out?”  Commissioners Horan and Lawson concur.
• Commissioner Chvilicek “Nathan, can we propose a moratorium?”
• Attorney Nathan Edwards “I think so, but I don’t have the statute in front of me.  It would require Board of County Commissioners approval, so it may not be worth doing from the Planning Commission.  I will report back to the commissioners. “

I strongly inferred that Lawson will press to advance a moratorium on construction in Lemmon Valley even if the Planning Commission can only propose it to the county commissioners.

DISCLAIMER: The above is not accurately verbatim.  It is how I remember it: it happened pretty fast.

There’s lots of news, folks.  Check it out!  Watch our “In the Media” page.

Residents sue over Wildcreek Golf Course destruction for a school.  The Save Wildcreek organization is claiming the school project violates that area plan and that the sales price is below the market value.  The action is an injunction against the school board moving forward with the plan.  The lawsuit names the school board, the Reno-Sparks Visitors and Convention Authority, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners and the City of Sparks as defendants.  Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung and Sparks City Councilman and RSCVA board member Ed Lawson were left out of the suit. Both voted against the sale of the proposed land.  It’s a tough issue.  The school is needed, but based on a number of factors, the golf course is not be a good location.  LINK

Reno knew that Lemmon Valley would flood, but approved development there anyway.  Scandalous!  Development worsens flooding in two ways.  First, the development means more pavement and surfaces that are impervious to water thus restricting the absorption of water into the soil.  Second, is that more development means more volume processed by the water treatment plant which is pumped into Swan Lake after it is partially treated.  Swan Lake then floods the neighborhoods.  LINK

The Washoe County Planning Commission over-ruled the residents’ concerns and approved the new Lemmon Valley Heights development (Lawson and Burns voted “no”).  This is remarkable malfeasance given that some of the property has been underwater for over a year.  Their proposed solution is to build catch basins as part of the development.  An experienced hydrologist has remarked that catch basins will be ineffective against flooding in this situation.  The residents will appeal to the Washoe County Commission.  The county commissioners will have an opportunity to demonstrate their integrity or to confirm that they represent the developers, not the residents.  LINK

Have you heard of the Land Use Bill?  The out-of-state developers have.  Basically, there are 73,000 acres of BLM land from Pyramid Lake to Carson City.  Much of it is in scattered parcels.  County commissioners have traveled to Washington DC to lobby Senator Heller and Representative Amodei to support a bill to transfer these properties to the cities and the county.  Once transferred, these properties could be sold to developers.  This sale would enable a huge burst in development (think of Phoenix) and expected official malfeasance.  Selling off public lands to private owners has long been an element of Republican orthodoxy.  Amodei and Heller are likely predisposed to support it.  But, this is an election year.  Please e-mail, write or call these two to express your opposition to such a bill.  It is enough to say “I am opposed to such a bill.”  LINK

Representative Mark Amodei contact

Senator Dean Heller contact

Last and least … Steve Wolgast has announced his candidacy for County Commissioner in District 2 in a bid to replace Bob Lucey.  His platform is to faithfully represent the residents, homeowners, and taxpayers of Washoe County.  This is not being done at present.  His primary platform is to see smart growth as opposed to the irresponsible plans we see now.  Wish him luck.  Look for his information at http://www.wolgast4washoe.com (it’s not visible on Google yet).  Contact him at stevecwolgast@gmail.com.