Storey County commission approves transmission corridor permit, equipment buys and statewide ballot contract; grants first reading for Matty’s Place liquor

The Storey County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 16 approved a set of land‑use permits, equipment purchases and a county participation agreement for the 2026 statewide ballot contract, and held the first reading of an on‑sale liquor license for a Virginia City restaurant.

The approvals included a special use permit for a proposed 345 kilovolt transmission line that would run about six miles along two single‑circuit segments crossing Storey and Lyon County boundary parcels; a separate special use permit for a freestanding sign near USA Parkway; a budgeted purchase of a pipeline inspection camera for the county water and sewer system; and an unbudgeted air‑conditioning purchase for the county dispatch data center. Commissioners also voted to participate in the Nevada Secretary of State’s statewide ballot printing contract for the 2026 election cycle and approved a first reading for an on‑sale liquor license for Matty’s Place LLC in Virginia City.

The most consequential land‑use vote was for special use permit 2025‑051, which Planning Department staff said would allow construction of two single‑circuit transmission line segments totalling about six miles and approximately 39 poles with proposed heights ranging from about 77 to 165 feet based on topography. Kathy, a planning staff member who summarized the application and the planning commission recommendation, told the board the planning commission had unanimously recommended approval at its Sept. 4 meeting and that no public comments had been submitted. “The proposal will include approximately 39 poles with the proposed heights ranging from approximately 77 feet to 165 feet based on the topography of the pole location,” she said.

Commissioners approved special use permit 2025‑051 by voice vote without additional conditions. Planning staff noted the site lies outside the county’s mapped transmission corridors and that, if approved, maps would be updated later. The staff report cited compliance with provisions of the Storey County Code, including the county’s special‑use permit and zoning chapters.

The board also approved special use permit 2025‑052 to allow a freestanding, non‑illuminated sign approximately 128 square feet in area and about 16 feet high on a vacant, heavy‑industrial parcel at 8990 USA Parkway near the county line. Planning staff said the sign did not meet the county code definition of a billboard and that the planning commission had unanimously recommended approval; staff added there were no written or in‑meeting public comments.

During a recess to convene the Story County (sic in transcript) water and sewer board, commissioners approved a budget request of $11,498 to buy an M18 pipeline camera system and an M12 wireless handheld locator kit to replace an obsolete unit. Jason Wirzbeke, representing the water and sewer department, said the existing system was roughly 13–14 years old, “the camera line sheared on it, and nobody will fix it,” making a replacement “a pretty critical piece of equipment for our operation and locating and seeing the condition of our underground pipes.” The motion to approve the purchase passed by voice vote.

In the county dispatch data center, IT Director James Dean asked the board to approve an unbudgeted air‑conditioning purchase to reduce vault temperatures that are “trending a little bit above 85 degrees,” and to cover associated electrical work. The board approved purchasing the air conditioner for $12,100 from Fleet Heating and Air Conditioning and $2,776 in electrical work from Highland Electric and Lighting.

The board also approved participation in the Nevada Secretary of State’s statewide ballot contract with ProVote Solutions for the 2026 election cycle. Clerk‑Treasurer Mark Allen told commissioners the state arrangement would ensure fuller reimbursement from the Secretary of State’s office than continuing with the county’s previous vendor.

Commissioners gave first reading approval to an on‑sale liquor license application for Matty’s Place LLC, listing Jennifer Stoops as the applicant and 66 North C Street in Virginia City as the proposed location. Deputy Frank Valdez reported he had “found no disqualifiers” in the applicant’s record; the board approved the first reading by voice vote.

Other routine items approved by the board included adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of minutes from prior meetings, consent agenda items, and second‑reading approval of business licenses listed under the meeting’s item 26. The board also approved an amendment to an interlocal contract to reflect state agency name changes effected by Senate Bill 494 (2023), which staff said took effect July 1, 2025; staff stated the amendment updates entity names throughout the contract.

On the county strategic plan, County Manager Austin Osborne presented draft edits and asked commissioners to continue staff work. Commissioners voted to accept suggested edits and to direct staff to fine‑tune the plan and return with a recommendation in 30 to 60 days.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Special use permit 2025‑051 (345 kV transmission line, ~6 miles, ~39 poles): motion to approve; planning commission recommended approval Sept. 4; outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Special use permit 2025‑052 (freestanding sign, 128 sq ft, 16 ft tall at 8990 USA Pkwy): outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Budget request, Water & Sewer: $11,498 for M18 pipeline camera and M12 locator: outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Unbudgeted purchase, Dispatch data center: $12,100 (AC) + $2,776 (electrical): outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Participation in Nevada statewide ballot contract (ProVote Solutions) for 2026: outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - First reading, on‑sale liquor license: Matty’s Place LLC (applicant Jennifer Stoops, 66 North C Street): first reading approved; final reading will be scheduled per local licensing rules. - Amendment to interlocal contract reflecting SB 494 agency name changes: outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Strategic plan: board accepted staff edits and directed staff to return with a final recommendation within 30–60 days.

Why it matters: The transmission‑line permit authorizes a long, high‑voltage corridor that will change infrastructure mapping and require later updates to the county master plan maps; the water/sewer camera purchase affects the county’s ability to inspect and maintain underground pipelines; and the IT and dispatch cooling purchase aims to protect critical public‑safety technology. Participation in the statewide ballot contract affects how the county’s ballots will be printed and reimbursed for the 2026 election cycle.

What’s next: The Matty’s Place liquor license will return for a final reading under the county’s liquor licensing process. Planning staff said the mapping update for the transmission corridor would occur after the permit approval. The county manager will return with a refined strategic plan within 30–60 days.