Owners seek lower density, expanded open space in Milnes family zone change; commission forwards to council
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Summary
The commission recommended City Council approve a zoning map amendment that removes an older specific‑plan zoning and replaces it with large‑lot residential (1‑acre minimum) and a parks/greenway/open‑space designation, increasing the guaranteed preserved open space on the 132‑acre property.
The Planning Commission on May 8 recommended that City Council approve a zoning map amendment for a 132‑acre Milnes family property in northwest Reno, swapping an older Ventana Point specific‑plan district for a mix of large‑lot residential (LLR‑1) and Parks/Greenways/Open Space (PGOS).
Wood Rogers representative Eric Hastie explained the proposal reflects changed conditions since the Ventana Point SPD was adopted in 2007. The SPD had allowed higher densities (up to 70 homes under earlier approvals with 7,000‑square‑foot lots) and required infrastructure such as pedestrian underpasses at drainage ways. The Milnes family, which purchased the property in early 2025, proposed LLR‑1 for about 38.5 acres and PGOS for the remainder to preserve steep slopes and tree cover.
Hastie told commissioners that about 71 percent of the site would be preserved as PGOS under the proposed map — up from 60 percent open‑space conservation under the old SPD — and that developable acreage in the southern portion aligns with the master plan’s land‑use designation. Commissioners noted the site contains slope areas over 30 percent and a major drainage way; staff and the applicant said any future development of the developable portion would require subsequent entitlements (tentative map and major site plan with grading and drainage review).
A small number of written comments were filed by adjacent landowners who asked about impacts to private fences and walls; staff said those questions are specific to particular future construction and would be addressed at the permit stage. Commissioners discussed how many older neighborhood or specific‑plan documents were adopted years ago and can produce mismatches with current master‑plan expectations; staff said revising or sunsetting SPDs is a separate multi‑step process.
Following discussion the commission voted to recommend the zone change to the City Council. Council will review the ordinance and the proposed rezoning in the regular legislative process.