are able to participate in an open settlement conference to determine if that’s a proper path going forward for our city.” The City Council was given a choice: reconsider the project as modified on Sept. 23, or it proceeds into costly and timeconsuming litigation. The council cannot place new conditions on Daybreak.
for us to do a better job of clarifying the technical elements and correct the public misconceptions.” He proceeded to note that, in lieu of Daybreak, the Butler Ranch North Development could proceed now. That would allow for more than 1,500 homes in a floodplain with less flood mitigation than Daybreak’s. Daybreak, he said, “significantly lessens development that modifies the floodplain The “missing middle” more than the approved Butler Ranch North A coordinated PR push this past spring [development].” had the community repeatedly hit with the Daybreak’s attorney, Michael Burke, term “missing middle.” News stories and previously described the situation like this: editorials were advocating for an increase in “Portions of the Daybreak development missing-middle housing—including developare already master planned, zoned, and entiments like Daybreak. tled for residential development. The Butler The term generally refers to a type of North (planned unit development) would housing lacking in the local market—resiallow Daybreak to construct and develop dences like townhomes and duplexes that more than 900 homes in the floodplain. are affordable for the working poor, such as Because the PUD has already been approved households with incomes between $20,000 (with even less flood mitigation), Daybreak to $60,000 a year. could begin construction on these homes In 2016, the Truckee Meadows at any time.” Regional Planning Agency Don Tatro of The Builders released a study showing that Association of Northern “There is “we lack certain housing Nevada supported the projtypes, known as ‘Missing precedent for ect’s approval. Middle’ housing.” TMRPA “All the things we’ve settlements being also said the location of been asking for, I think baked behind closed developments was critical. this project represents,” he Outside of the McCarran doors.” said. “With the engineering loop presents challenges advances, with the concesJenny Brekhus for developers. sions made by the developer, Reno City Council According to the report, I think this is a great project.” “It is possible these areas may He also had words for those not develop to their full potential opposing such projects. due to … infrastructure deficiencies, “I understand everyone wants to be as development may be delayed until these the last one on the block,” he explained. services are addressed.” “Everyone wants to be the last home built— TMRPA presented what it called the but the reality is, that doesn’t work.” “McCarran Scenario,” whereby development He called Daybreak a tremendous asset to could be concentrated within the McCarran the area, a region in desperate need of housring. More “high-density, single-family, ing, mainly housing people can afford. low-density, multi-family” housing would be Residents are furious, however, with created within this scenario. the prospect of Daybreak getting built. “The Truckee Meadows region needs Councilmember Oscar Delgado cited already a wider variety of housing types to meet grievous traffic problems in south Reno. anticipated demographic shifts and affordEmergency services were also questioned. able housing needs,” the report concluded. The Reno Firefighters Association said the “Like most metropolitan areas, the region project would require new resources. does not have enough housing affordable to Other councilmembers expressed moderate and lower-income households.” concern. Daybreak appeared mostly consis“To make sure our new residents have tent with TMRPA’s “missing-middle” police, fire, flood protection, education, all recommendations. the things that they need is our job,” Duerr The developer in early September said said. “We’ve been taken to court, in part that revisiting Daybreak’s approval allowed saying we’ve exacted things. Making sure for even more conversation about the developments are done well is part of project’s impacts and what may be done our job.” about them. The council narrowly approved the proj“It’s an opportunity to reduce the ect’s reconsideration for Sept. 23. This time important concerns about flood water and council members will vote on it with new mercury mitigation,” said Andy Derling of conditions—conditions that were negotiated Wood Rodgers, the project’s engineering without their knowledge. Ω and planning consultant. “It’s an opportunity
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