The Reno City Council meeting on September 10, 2025, was dominated by discussions surrounding the controversial Stonegate rezoning proposal, which has faced significant opposition from local residents and the Regional Planning Commission. The council is now at a crossroads, deciding whether to appeal the commission's recent determination of nonconformance with the 2019 Truckee Meadows Regional Plan.

Public comments were overwhelmingly against the appeal, with residents expressing deep concerns about the potential environmental impacts, particularly regarding water resources. Colin McGinnis, a representative from the Sierra Club, urged the council to reject the appeal, emphasizing that the community needs housing and public services rather than more industrial developments like warehouses and data centers. He highlighted the critical state of water resources in the Cold Springs area, which has been experiencing drought conditions for decades.

Sandy Roth echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the Regional Planning Commission's meeting had standing room only, with every public comment opposing the proposal. She stressed the importance of responsible planning, especially given the potential for data centers to consume vast amounts of water, which could jeopardize local wells and aquifer sustainability.

Wendy Baroli, a fourth-generation Nevadan, criticized the lack of community engagement from Stonegate and reiterated that the original plan included much-needed housing and infrastructure improvements. She argued that the current proposal would lead to an increase in industrial zoning without addressing the community's needs.

The council's deliberations revealed a split among members regarding the appeal. Some council members expressed concerns about the lack of necessary infrastructure to support such a development, while others questioned the procedural implications of not filing an objection. The city attorney clarified that the city, as the applicant, must either file an objection or allow the developer to appeal directly to the governing board, which could lead to procedural confusion.

Ultimately, the council must weigh the community's desires against the interests of developers, with significant implications for the future of the North Valleys region. The decision on whether to appeal the Regional Planning Commission's ruling will shape the development landscape and address the pressing concerns of local residents regarding water resources and community needs.