Top Headlines from the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Meeting
January 16, 2023 | Member Submitted
The following are highlights from the January 18, 2023 Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
- Board ratifies State of Emergency for the weather: A State of Emergency was declared earlier this month for the series of winter storms that hit northern Nevada in rapid succession over the New Year holiday. The declaration was written to expire on Feb. 6, 2023, but terminates immediately if not approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board unanimously approved the declaration.
“It’s important that we have an emergency declaration because it enables us to move things very quickly,” Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro said. “It provides us the ability to work outside our employment agreements so we can pull people in and do the work that’s needed. We can make sure we have the people and equipment. Our operators are tired, but excited as well to provide for the safety of our community.”
Washoe County has prepared for potential flooding as the storms are forecast to bring a mix of heavy rain and heavy snow through next week.
- Commissioners upheld Planning Commission’s denial of development code related to cannabis lounges: The Planning Commission denied code amendments to Chapter 110 (development code) at its Dec. 6, 2022, meeting. Washoe County Planning Manager Chad Giesinger presented an overview of the codes, amendments, and licenses for cannabis consumption lounges. Today’s action applies only to the proposed development code amendment related to the cannabis lounges. The Board of County Commissioners voted to 3 to 2 to uphold the Planning Commission’s denial of amendments to the development code.
Because the denial was upheld, no further action was taken on proposed amendments to Washoe County Code for cannabis consumption lounges.