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BlackRock Rentals owner outlines special‑use permit plan; neighborhood meeting set for April 22
Summary
Applicant discussed a special‑use permit application for a storage/operable‑vehicle rental operation in Empire, described site constraints and cleanup efforts, and announced a neighborhood meeting April 22; no formal county decision was made at the CAB meeting.
Applicant representatives presented a proposal for a special‑use permit to allow storage of operable vehicles and rental of equipment on a 5.37‑acre parcel north of C Street on State Route 447 in Empire. The presentation was informational only; the board did not vote on the application.
David Snelgrove (Bowman Consulting Group) described the parcel as master‑planned and zoned for commercial use and said the use has operated on the site for many years but is not yet legally established. He said the general commercial zone allows storage of operable vehicles only with a special‑use permit from the board of adjustment. Snelgrove said the applicant’s near‑term work includes establishing a principal use (an on‑site manager’s office and business license) and submitting an SUP application intended to cover storage and rental to others.
Snelgrove described logistical constraints: no community water system on site, limited electrical service, existing septic and three 3,000‑gallon water tanks, and wind conditions that affect common screening solutions. He said the applicant is working with county staff after a code‑enforcement notice and expects to submit a special‑use permit application by May 8; county staff told the applicant they would allow additional time provided the SUP application is submitted by that date.
Owner Keith (last name not specified in the record) said he is removing items and expects some lessees to be off the southern portion by June 1; he said abandoned vehicles without clear title present particular challenges. CAB members and others raised screening and aesthetic concerns. Christy Evans noted community interest in screening for storage lots; Snelgrove and Keith discussed slats and other screening options but said high winds make some fences and slats impractical. Keith said he has considered using decorative or “art” displays to improve the appearance of stored units.
Neighborhood outreach: Snelgrove said he mailed about 14 notices to addresses he received from county staff as part of neighborhood‑meeting notification; he invited the CAB and the public to attend the neighborhood meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 in the same room used for the CAB meeting.
Next steps: Applicant intends to submit an SUP application to Washoe County by May 8 and expects a subsequent public hearing before the board of adjustment; the CAB’s role at this meeting was informational and did not constitute County consideration or approval.
