Planning Commission approves conditional-use permit for boat sales near I‑80

The Reno City Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a conditional‑use permit to allow boat sales on a parcel just west of the Cabela’s site along Interstate 80.

City associate planner Leah Piccati said the request is for a site “just shy of 15 acres” and that the permit would allow the sale or rental of boats although the city’s code category also covers automobiles, RVs and trailers. “This evening, I am presenting 2 different applications, but this is the first 1. This is for the boat sales conditional use permit,” Piccati said.

The permit was approved with the conditions listed in the staff report. Staff told commissioners the site had previously been entitled under a 2021 conditional‑use permit that required mitigation measures — including an indoor‑only service requirement, enhanced landscaping and dark‑sky‑compliant lighting — and that those conditions carried forward to the current application. Piccati said a sound study had led to building design changes to reduce impacts on adjacent residences.

Commissioners asked about potential changes to noise, traffic and lighting compared with the industrial use the parcel was previously entitled for; Piccati said the proposed boat sales are “much less intense” than the warehousing and distribution use anticipated by the earlier entitlement. Commissioner Manny Becerra asked whether washing and maintenance would have stormwater implications; staff said engineering and existing best management practices would be reviewed through permitting.

Commissioner Williams moved to approve the conditional‑use permit “based on the compliance with the applicable findings” and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Confiantini. The motion carried unanimously.

The approval is subject to the staff report conditions that require, among other things, indoor servicing and dark‑sky lighting. The commission heard no in‑person or online public testimony on the item.