Churchill County Denies Home Business Permit for 1 Horse LLC at South Allen Road

The Churchill County Planning Commission made significant decisions during its August 13 meeting, notably denying a special use permit for a home business while approving an expansion for a Tesla subsidiary's testing facility.

The commission unanimously voted against the application for a home business special use permit (SUP25-25) for 1 Horse LLC, located at 1955 South Allen Road. The decision was based on findings that the application did not meet the necessary criteria outlined in the Churchill County code. The commission recommended a two-year period for the business to relocate to a compliant commercial space.

In a contrasting move, the commission approved a special use permit (SUP25-27) for Northern Nevada Research Company (NNRC) to expand its combustion testing facility at 7162 California Street. NNRC, a subsidiary of Tesla, conducts critical stress tests on batteries, and the expansion will include a new building for non-stress testing operations. The staff report indicated that all conditions for previous permits had been met, and the commission found no major issues with the current application.

The meeting also touched on proposed changes to the county's zoning code, including the establishment of new industrial zoning districts and clarifications on requirements for power generation facilities. These changes aim to streamline the zoning process and accommodate future industrial land uses.

The outcomes of the meeting highlight the commission's commitment to regulatory compliance while supporting industrial growth in the region. The two-year timeline for the home business to relocate underscores the balance between community standards and economic development.