The Reno City Planning Commission unanimously approved on Dec. 4 a tentative map and conditional use permit (LDC26-00007) for Riverbend, an 82‑lot single‑family detached subdivision on a 14.9‑acre site in Verdi north of I‑80 and adjacent to Old U.S. Highway 40.

Leah Piccati, associate planner with the city’s Development Services, summarized the application and staff analysis. The proposal calls for an 82‑lot cluster subdivision on roughly 9 acres of single‑family (SF‑8) parcel area — an average lot size of about 1,162 square feet and an effective density of roughly 9.1 dwelling units per acre. The project includes a conditional use permit to allow cluster development, relocation of a regional utility corridor and disturbance of a major drainage way. Piccati told commissioners that the proposed density complies with cluster‑development findings and that services and utilities are available.

John Kropotek of KLS Planning, representing applicant Rob Fitzgerald, told the commission the team supported the 20 conditions in the staff report and highlighted public benefits: a legally recorded easement providing pedestrian access to adjacent open space and the Truckee River, about 22% of the project preserved as open space, and stormwater improvements that staff and the applicant’s hydrologist said would formalize and channel existing disturbed drainage flows.

Traffic and parking were a focus of questioning. Staff described the parking calculation in the report using the Reno Municipal Code formula and initially noted approximately 297 parking spaces in the project materials; the applicant said a working exhibit proposed about 270 spaces (including garage and driveway spaces plus common guest spaces). Piccati and the applicant team said conditions allow some fluctuation in the final space count and include a requirement that garages be maintained for parking use.

Environmental and resource concerns were raised in public comments and addressed in conditions. Staff reported receiving an early comment from a mule‑deer biologist and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) reviewers; NDOW and NDOT recommended wildlife fencing in the area, and staff placed a related requirement in the conditions. Another early commenter questioned whether the entire utility station would be moved; Piccati clarified that the application adjusts the corridor where lines run, not the utility station itself.

Washoe County School District provided a letter included in the staff report saying district capacity and planned improvements could accommodate students from the proposed 82 homes. The application was identified as a project of regional significance because of the regional utility corridor; Piccati said that if the commission approves the CUP for corridor relocation, the matter will proceed to the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency for final regional review.

Commissioner Becerra moved to approve the tentative map and conditional use permit as conditioned in the staff report and made the required findings; Commissioner Ganfiantini seconded. The commission voted in favor with no recorded opposition and the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps for the applicant include final map submittal, satisfaction of staff conditions and the regional review by the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency for the corridor relocation.