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Washoe County Board of Adjustment approves variance to keep 15 ft wildlife wall at 515 Rhodes Road
Summary
After a contested hearing, the Washoe County Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing an existing 15-foot-8-inch habitat wall at 515 Rhodes Road to remain despite staff recommending denial; the board found special circumstances tied to loss of a large cottonwood and the applicants' habitat mitigation efforts.
The Washoe County Board of Adjustment on Feb. 5, 2026, voted to approve a variance allowing an existing 15-foot-8-inch wall at 515 Rhodes Road to exceed the county's 6-foot maximum for fences and walls. The motion to approve was made by Rob Pierce and seconded by Kathy Julian; the board adopted the measure by voice vote after a public hearing and deliberation.
Planning staff, represented by planner Jolene Bertetto, told the board the wall is 95 feet long, was constructed about eight years ago and that staff could not make required variance findings A and C under the Washoe County development code. "We are recommending denial of the variance application," Bertetto said during her presentation, citing code criteria drawn from the Nevada Revised Statutes and the county development code.
The applicants' attorney, Garrett Gordon, and property owner Curtis Coulter said the wall should be treated as a wildlife-habitat structure rather than a conventional fence. Gordon…
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