Ryan, the applicant, asked the Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board on Dec. 2 to rezone a former Reno Employees Federal Credit Union building on Holcomb Street to permit an eight-unit multifamily conversion. He said the structure’s ‘‘bones’’ are sound and that the plan is a full renovation rather than demolition, with new interiors, new windows, landscaping and off-street parking.

Why it matters: The proposal would add small-scale multifamily housing in a corridor near public transit and existing multifamily buildings, while triggering questions about neighborhood character, parking and affordability.

Details: Ryan said the 5,000-square-foot building would contain four two-bedroom/one-bath units (about 700 sq ft) and four one-bedroom/one-bath units (about 500 sq ft). He said the developer intends to designate a parking stall for each unit, include an accessible parking stall, and retain additional off-street space for guest parking. He said four units will comply with accessibility requirements.

Board questions and answers: Board members and residents pressed the applicant on several points: whether to demolish and rebuild (Ryan said renovation is the preferred and more cost-effective option), whether the Wells Avenue overlay must be removed (applicant said the overlay removal is part of the MDRD zoning request), parking adequacy (applicant said there are roughly 10 on-site spaces and each unit would have an assigned space), unit size and mix, target rents and affordability (the applicant said rents are likely to be mid-market but declined to commit to any income-restricted units), and timeline (Ryan said permit submission was planned within weeks and a targeted occupancy of April–May next year if rezoning and permitting proceed).

What was not decided: The board did not vote on the rezoning; members requested additional information and noted they want the Washoe County School District and other stakeholders present for related agenda items when relevant. Several board members asked the applicant to provide more specific rent targets and parking documentation during the permit review stage.

Next steps: The applicant will proceed through the city’s rezoning and permit process; NAB members were encouraged to file a project review worksheet and the item will return to the appropriate public hearing venues for formal action.

Quote: "We plan to renovate, bring modern units and preserve the building’s structure," Ryan said. "We’re happy to finalize unit pricing during permitting and to discuss parking assignments."