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Commission adopts master-plan amendment to add heat mitigation policies to Envision Washoe 2040
Summary
The Planning Commission adopted a resolution to amend Envision Washoe 2040 by adding a heat mitigation plan that integrates 2024 heat-mapping data and adds policies and action items on cooling spaces, tree canopy, cool-building practices and rural heat strategies, consistent with legislative requirements from AB 96.
The Washoe County Planning Commission on July 7 adopted a recommendation and certified a resolution to amend Envision Washoe 2040 by adding a heat mitigation plan (WMPA26-0001) designed to address urban-heat islands and extreme heat countywide.
Planning staff explained that the amendment responds to 2025 state legislation (AB 96) requiring jurisdictions in Washoe and Clark counties to integrate heat mitigation into their master plans. Staff presented 2024 volunteer-generated heat-mapping data that showed temperature differentials across neighborhoods, noted a maximum map differential of 23 degrees Fahrenheit in some comparisons, and said Washoe County has already experienced average temperature increases of 1–2 degrees above historical averages.
The proposed amendment reorganizes narrative in the master plan, adds policy direction on public cooling spaces and drinking-water access, expands discussion of tree canopy goals and cool-building practices (for example, light-colored roofs, green roofs, awnings and insulation), and adds four new action items to chapter 3 focusing on short-term canopy and rural-heat assessments and a midterm item exploring incentives for cool-building practices. Staff said it coordinated with Reno and Sparks planning staff on shared policies and consulted Northern Nevada Public Health and other agencies.
During Q&A, commissioners and a committee member asked staff to identify existing cooling centers and to discuss water availability for future tree canopy and shade infrastructure. Staff said that in extreme-heat events, the county and emergency management activate existing air-conditioned public buildings (libraries, community centers) as cooling spaces and that water-resource decisions largely fall under state water-rights regimes; the master plan can, however, surface water considerations for development review and policy.
Commissioner Kennedy moved to adopt the resolution to amend the master plan and to certify the amendment for submission to the Board of County Commissioners; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will forward the certified resolution to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration. The amendment adds new policy tools and action items intended to guide future code and programmatic work addressing extreme-heat risks and urban-heat disparities.
