Washoe County committee approves tentative parcel map to split 2.43‑acre site into four lots, excludes cul‑de‑sac abandonment

The Washoe County Parcel Map Review Committee on March 12 approved a tentative parcel map (WTPM23‑000011) to divide a 2.43‑acre property into four lots, voting unanimously to adopt staff conditions while excluding the abandonment of a cul‑de‑sac shown on the map.

Julie Olander of Washoe County planning staff presented the application and maps, saying the site is zoned Medium Density Suburban (MDS) and that the proposal meets applicable density and minimum lot‑size requirements; she noted the MDS minimum lot size is 12,000 square feet and that the largest minimum lot on this map is 21,672 square feet for parcel 3. Olander also said planning commission approved abandonment for portions of two 33‑ft easements at a March 3, 2026 hearing, while the county retains 20 feet of easement along the western parcel line to preserve access to an adjacent BLM parcel.

During discussion, committee member Wayne Handro flagged a legal distinction: access easements cannot be abandoned via a parcel‑map approval and generally require a separate abandonment application, whereas utility easements may be removed via a notarized utility certificate. John Gomez, the applicant's land surveyor, said he did not find a formal grant of access easement to Washoe County in the record and explained the applicant sought abandonment largely to increase buildable area and setbacks. "I don't see where this is being an access easement being granted to Washoe County anywhere," Gomez said in response to Handro's comment. Gomez added that the parcels will "function the same" without additional abandonment and that the applicant could pursue further abandonment later when building plans are definite.

Committee members asked about water service. Applicant Sierra Durkson confirmed that the Steamboat Springs Water Authority provided a will‑serve letter and a paid discovery report, and she said the water authority "has confirmed their ability to provide water to the new parcels." Staff told the committee an earlier water‑related condition in the report had been amended to replace an incorrect purveyor name after the applicant supplied the Steamboat Springs documentation.

Truckucky Meadows Fire Protection District staff reviewed the application and listed apparatus and access road requirements in the agency comments but made no recommendation for denial; committee members said a cul‑de‑sac is unlikely to be abandoned because of fire turnaround and access requirements.

After discussion, Handro moved to approve the tentative parcel map WTPM23‑000011 for the applicant subject to the conditions in Exhibit A and the staff report, "with the exception of the abandonment of the cul‑de‑sac as shown on the map," citing Washoe County Code section 11060630e; Wes Rubio seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Recording staff confirmed there were no public commenters. The meeting adjourned at 2:34 p.m.

Next steps: the committee's action directs staff to finalize conditions and record the parcel map consistent with the committee's motion; any further abandonments would require a separate application and additional approvals.