Fernley planning commissioners approve vacation of 0.53-mile section of Duffy Road for MarkV development

A majority of the Fernley Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of T1V25001, a Type 1 vacation request to abandon approximately 0.53 miles of the public roadway known as Duffy Road to enable construction of Innovation Drive within the MarkV Victory Logistics District.

Alex Lopez Martinez, project manager with the city engineering department, told commissioners the section to be vacated was previously relinquished by the Nevada Department of Transportation and recorded following a cooperative transfer agreement on July 29, 2024. He said the developer must provide a security bond and that state approvals with NDOT and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for traffic control and proposed sanitary sewer work are pending. Lopez Martinez said a water‑main extension is permitted and under construction.

Lopez Martinez described a temporary public-access easement and maintenance agreement that, if recorded, will require developer MarkV Capital to assume maintenance and liability for the vacated section until Innovation Drive is fully constructed and accepted by the city for dedication. The presentation included traffic‑control plans that call for maintaining two 11‑foot travel lanes during phased demolition, temporary signalization at the connection points, and phased eastbound/westbound work to preserve access.

Counsel for the developer, Doug Thornley of Holland & Hart, confirmed the recorded document prevents demolition of the old roadway before vehicle access is provided on the new alignment. Scott Barnes, vice president of MarkV Capital, said the company intends to complete Innovation Drive before removing the existing Duffy surface and has coordinated with NDOT for the underpass; he also noted heavy truck use on the existing roadway.

During public comment, John Duffy — who said his family is the namesake of Duffy Road — asked the commission to preserve the Duffy name on the roadway adjacent to his family parcels and highlighted the site's local railroad and California Trail history. Commissioners and staff discussed the possibility of preserving a section of the name or changing the name later; staff noted that a final map referencing Innovation Drive has already been recorded and that coordinated paperwork with Lyon County and NDOT could be required to alter recorded right‑of‑way names.

Commissioner Wagner moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Vanderhiden seconded. The commission reported the motion as passing unanimously (recorded as 7–0). The motion record in the meeting document identifies the item as T1V250001 and lists the action as a recommendation for approval to vacate the specified portion of Duffy Road. The commission did not adopt any condition tonight that would permanently retain the Duffy name; staff said street-name changes can be pursued after dedication.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted for the city council’s consideration and any further coordination required with NDOT or Lyon County. The record indicates the temporary public‑access easement and maintenance agreement will be finalized and recorded if the vacation is approved, and that the developer has already provided a security bond for construction improvements.