An end to government bickering? County backs off regional planning bill

The Washoe County Commission decided to back off proposed legislation that would have upended a painfully crafted compromise on how growth is managed in the Truckee Meadows, saying it has recently made headway in resolving its differences with the cities of Reno and Sparks.

Earlier this year, the commission listed Assembly Bill 39, which would have changed the organization of the joint board that oversees regional planning, as its top legislative priority. That prompted an unusual lawsuit by the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Governing Board that pitted the county against the two cities.

But in a unanimous vote Tuesday, the commission decided to withdraw the bill.

"I am encouraged with the recent discussions and looking forward to a resolution that is approved by all our regional partners, establishing the roles and responsibilities of the county manager and city managers in support of the director of Truckee Meadows Regional Planning and the operations of the regional planning agency," Commissioner Vaughn Hartung said in a written statement. "I know Washoe County is committed to a collaborative process on the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan update, and we are looking forward to a consensus process that fairly and equitably considers the priorities, concerns, and needs of the entire region.” 

That doesn't necessarily mean, however, the planning board will withdraw its lawsuit, said Reno Councilman David Bobzien.

"Even with bill’s withdrawal, we are left with the fundamental question that we are seeking an answer to from the court: When one of the entities fails to comply with the rules and statutes what do we do?" Bobzien said.

A decision on whether to withdraw the lawsuit could be discussed at the planning board meeting on Thursday, he said.

The Regional Planning Governing Board is made up of four Reno City Council members, three Sparks council members and three Washoe County Commissioners. The board has the authority to approve projects of "regional significance," such as the major housing development Rancharrah. The county had wanted the Legislature to remove a seat on the board from Reno, leveling the playing field for the three entities.

Bobzien said the three entities have been pressured by state lawmakers to work the problem out themselves rather than leave it to the Legislature, which has resulted in more fruitful discussions.

"Conversations are happening now that hadn’t happened yet and that is a healthy thing," Bobzien said. "The managers are engaged to a greater degree now, and there's a desire for staff to be more involved with the agency and that’s healthy."

The Regional Planning Agency was born of regional strife in the late 1980s. The late Sen. Bill Raggio co-authored legislation that created the joint body to determine how the region should grow after both the city and the county began building expensive sewage lines in the same area.

In its 15-year existence, it has been a consistent source of infighting and lawsuits as the various jurisdictions compete for projects and established zoning regimes.

The resulting regional plan, which is revised every five years, is written to encourage developments with urban densities, such as small-lot single family homes, apartment complexes, industrial parks and office space, within city limits — where they can be more efficiently covered by municipal services and where higher property taxes are charged to cover such services.

It's time for the agency to update that plan now, meaning it's important for the county and cities to resolve its differences.

"Washoe County is committed to moving beyond the attempted changes with AB 39 and addressing greater issues facing the region at this time,” Commissioner Bob Lucey said.