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Commission approves warehouse and outdoor‑storage variances near Spaghetti Bowl; irrigation waiver denied
Summary
Planning commissioners approved a conditional use permit and a set of variances for an existing warehouse/outdoor storage site near the Spaghetti Bowl, citing long‑standing nonconformities and likely NDOT acquisition; staff recommended approval of most variances but opposed removing irrigation requirements.
The Reno City Planning Commission on July 15 approved a conditional use permit and several variances for a 2.17‑acre warehouse and outdoor storage site near the Spaghetti Bowl, while denying a requested waiver of irrigation for required landscaping.
Leah Piccati presented staff’s analysis showing the site—developed in 1958 and long used as a truck terminal—contains multiple longstanding nonconformities (parking in right‑of‑way, lack of sidewalks and landscaping) that would be costly to remedy given possible future NDOT acquisition of the area as part of freeway improvements. Staff recommended variances to outdoor‑storage screening and setback standards, parking‑area landscaping rules, and street‑tree requirements because strict application would impose disproportionate hardship and because the proposed work would reduce nonconformities and improve safety (relocated parking, block‑wall screening and a new sidewalk).
Piccati said staff is not supporting a request to waive irrigation; the commission agreed and excluded that waiver from approval. Commissioner McCoy moved to approve the CUP and the variances except for the irrigation waiver; the motion passed unanimously.
Staff noted that the applicant agreed to relocate parking away from the mobile home park to the east side of the lot, to install an ADA ramp and handrail and to provide a sidewalk on the frontage—all improvements intended to increase pedestrian safety and reduce impacts on adjacent residences. Piccati said NDOT indicated the area is in Phase 1/Phase 2 planning for possible acquisition, and staff considered that uncertainty in supporting temporary or flexible landscaping standards.
The commission’s approvals come with conditions listed in the staff report. The applicant now must satisfy those conditions and any applicable building or permit requirements before full reuse is authorized.
