The Sparks Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing outdoor lumber processing and an associated shade structure at 650 Spice Islands Drive as part of an expansion of the Reno Carson Lumber operation.

City planner Dany presented the proposal, describing a roughly 5‑acre parcel in the Industrial zoning district currently developed with a 42,330‑square‑foot industrial building. The applicant requested permission to install and operate an outdoor saw operation with a 16.4‑by‑90‑foot open shade structure on about 1,440 square feet adjacent to the south end of the building. Staff said the outdoor processing area would occupy less than 1% of the total site, that an adjacent parcel already hosts an existing saw operation, and that the proposal would remove a raised curb planter and fence on the shared property line to allow access between parcels.

Staff identified potential impacts — primarily dust and noise — and proposed mitigation through conditions of approval. Condition 10 requires a dust collector to be connected to the saw via the collection port and located at the saw. Staff reported estimated noise levels up to 87.9 decibels at 3 feet from the saw, about 85.6 dB at 10 feet, and an average level of 49.1 dB at about 215 feet (the west property line); staff characterized the property‑line noise estimate as similar to conversation levels and said the operation was typical for an industrial zoning district. Staff also noted a portion of the site is in a floodway; outdoor storage and structures are prohibited in that floodway portion per condition 11.

Applicant representatives — John Krempatic of KLS Planning and Reno Carson Lumber leadership including Chris Flynder — said they had reviewed the conditions and did not object. The applicant explained the saw is designed to cut joist packages to exact length and to help cut openings for HVAC or electrical as needed for customer orders; the applicant said collected sawdust would be removed from the dust collector when full and disposed of, not discharged to air.

Commissioner Cramer moved to approve the conditional use permit (CU24‑0014 / PCN 02050) based on findings C1–C5 and subject to the 11 conditions listed in the staff report; Commissioner Niebuhrlin seconded. During discussion some commissioners asked whether the condition limiting operation hours (condition 7) matched existing nearby saw operations; staff and the applicant indicated they had reviewed and had no objections. Legal counsel Brandon Sendahl noted the commission’s motion appropriately referenced the staff report for the facts and limitations of the approved operation.

The motion passed. The permit includes the specified conditions addressing dust collection, noise, landscaping, removal of a planter and fence to allow parcel access, and floodway storage restrictions. The applicant and staff should follow the conditions and applicable building‑permit processes before commencing operations.