Planning commission continues review of proposed abandonment of small rights-of-way in Virginia City

Storey County Planning Commission members on May 1 continued consideration of an application to abandon small, platted rights-of-way identified as portions of G Street, H Street and Sutton Street between Mill Street and Sutton Street in Virginia City so the applicant can consolidate the strips into adjacent parcels and reserve easements for utilities.

Planning staff said the strips under review include an approximately 8-foot-wide portion that staff could find no record of serving as a constructed street and that, because of steep topography and earthwork, the area is not feasible as a public thoroughfare or utility corridor. Planning staff advised commissioners that utility companies and public works were contacted; no water or sewer lines run through the specific strips and a single electrical pole serving the property will require an easement as part of any record of survey. Staff recommended retaining a short access connection at H Street to preserve east–west access to I Street, either by not abandoning that portion or by reserving a public-access easement; the fire department had requested that access stay in place, staff said.

The issue drew a public speaker who urged the commission to preserve public rights-of-way and the town’s historic circulation. The speaker stated, “I think...we gave away, abandoned, privatized part of the Virginia City historic landmark,” and said the streets were part of a route linking mines, the fairgrounds and community facilities.

Commissioner Kristen Brown said she agreed with the public commenter’s historic concerns and asked for more documentation, noting that Virginia City is within a National Historic Landmark District and that the district nomination and related materials have not been fully updated to reflect circulation, lot patterns and character-defining features. Brown said, “I tend to agree with Mr. Senden on this issue...from a historical perspective, this is — I’m concerned,” and requested historic maps, historic aerial photos and further research into historic access through mine buildings.

Other commissioners and staff noted the site’s recent historic use as event and arena space, the existing topography that creates steep embankments and the practical limits on whether a public roadway could be constructed there. Commissioners asked staff to obtain additional information from the applicant about potential future uses, how first responders would access the lower portions of the property, and the questions raised in a public comment letter that staff had distributed. Staff said temporary outdoor events would generally not require historic‑district review but that any permanent structures would require review through the county’s historic-review procedures.

After discussing outstanding questions and the applicant’s absence from the meeting, Commissioner Lee Sturt moved to continue the item to a future meeting to allow staff to collect the additional information discussed; Commissioner Kristen Brown seconded. The motion passed with the planning commission voting to continue the item.

The commission requested that staff seek the following items from the applicant and other sources before the matter returns: historic maps and aerials showing street and parcel layout over time; clarification of any historic public passage through mine buildings referenced by the public commenter; details or conceptual ideas the applicant may have about future uses (even if not binding); confirmation or plans showing how first-responder access would be provided to lower elevations; and written responses to points raised in the public comment letter that staff circulated. Staff will report back and the commission will set a return date after those items are provided or researched.