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Washoe County planning panel grants 2-year extension for Hooper Family Trust transmission line permit
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Summary
The Washoe County Planning Commission approved an amendment granting a two-year extension to the Hooper Family Trust’s special use permit for a 345 kV generation tie line, moving the deadline to obtain building permits to May 12, 2027. Staff recommended approval and the motion passed unanimously.
The Washoe County Planning Commission voted unanimously on July 1 to approve an amendment of conditions for case WAC25-0007, granting the Hooper Family Trust a two-year extension to secure building permits for the previously approved WSUP23-0003 five-mile, 345-kilovolt gen-tie transmission line connecting the Piranha Substation to the Fort Sage Substation. Commissioner Dan Lazarecki moved to approve the amendment and Commissioner Rob Pierce seconded; the motion passed with all commissioners present voting aye.
The extension moves the permit deadline to May 12, 2027. Senior Planner Chris Brodzik told the commission that the original approval covered a five-mile, 345 kV line and that the applicant requested the extension because the large generator interconnection agreement (LGIA) process with NV Energy can take up to a year and initial investors withdrew, forcing the applicants to restart parts of the interconnection and financing process. Brodzik said staff was able to make the required findings and recommended approval with conditions.
Applicant Charles Hooper, trustee of the Hooper Family Trust, described the line’s route and said developers in the area expect to use the proposed corridor. April Smith, who identified herself as Hooper’s daughter, spoke in support of the extension and said the line would help meet Nevada’s renewable energy goals.
The application was noticed to property owners near the corridor; Brodzik reported public notice went to property owners within 750 feet of the line (staff report materials state the notice list included 175 unique property owners). The commission’s motion reaffirmed the five required findings under Washoe County code before approving the amendment. No commissioners opposed the action.
Under the approved conditions, the permit retains the original terms except for the revised deadline for obtaining building permits. The record states the action is an amendment of conditions for special use permit WSUP23-0003; any further extensions or project changes would again come before the planning commission.
