🏘️ Reno Residents Are Left Out of the Hood
City Faces Backlash Over Neighborhood Advisory Board Cuts
At the June 4 Reno City Council meeting, longtime resident Lisa Hill issued a sharp critique of the city’s shrinking commitment to public participation, specifically calling out the quiet dismantling of the Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) system.
Hill said the city’s recent restructuring efforts have cut residents out of the development process, removed key forums for neighborhood input, and undermined transparency at a critical time for Reno’s future.
“As it stands right now, you’re completely removing that early public participation,” Hill told the Council.
“Developers used to present directly to the community, get feedback, and improve their projects. That’s gone.”
🧱 What NABs Are – and Why They Matter
For years, each of Reno’s wards hosted a NAB made up of appointed residents. These boards met regularly with formal agendas, heard presentations on local development proposals, and offered non-binding input to city staff and the Planning Commission. Residents could ask questions, raise concerns, and see how land use decisions affected their neighborhoods — all before final action at City Hall.
NABs also served as community sounding boards — forums where city departments gave updates on infrastructure, policing, and traffic, and where neighbors could raise issues directly with staff.
But recent restructuring — attributed by city officials to budget constraints and administrative streamlining — has led to fewer meetings, less formal notice, and fewer opportunities for community dialogue.
These resident-appointed boards:
Reviewed proposed developments, rezonings, and infrastructure projects
Heard directly from developers and provided input to them
Provided input to the Ward member before projects reached the City Council
Operated under Nevada Open Meeting Law, with posted agendas and minutes
🚨 The Dangerous Changes for the Public
Lack of public notice for development
Without formal meetings or published agendas, many residents don’t know about rezonings or large-scale projects until it’s too late to weigh in meaningfully.Loss of transparency and open meeting protections
The NAB meetings adhered to Nevada's Open Meeting Law — agendas were posted, minutes were kept, and participation was formalized. Without that structure, there’s no record of what’s said or decided.Greater disruption at City Council meetings
Cutting early forums doesn’t silence residents — it shifts their frustration to Council chambers. Without early engagement, meetings will be overrun with misinformation and confusion from residents who feel blindsided.Equity and accessibility
No NAB puts the burden on working families and those who can’t attend long daytime meetings in person. She urged the city to prioritize virtual access and better notice systems to reach a broader cross-section of Reno’s population.
“Between now and whenever this is studied and a new system is rolled out, there needs to be a process in place,” she said, “especially for development projects.”
💥 Cold Springs Example Underscores the Problem
During the same meeting, multiple residents from Cold Springs voiced opposition to the Heinz Ranch industrial project — and echoed Hill’s complaints.
They reported no letters, no meetings, and a barely visible zoning sign tucked near a highway off-ramp.
The consistent theme is that communities are being left out of decisions that affect them.
🗳️ What Lisa Hill Asked For That We Need
Restore meaningful neighborhood-level input.
Ensure all development proposals are subject to early public comment.
Require public agendas and minutes for transparency.
Make meetings accessible via Zoom and after work hours.
While Council didn’t respond to her comments during the meeting, Hill’s concerns are not new, and they’re unlikely to fade as Reno continues to grow. Whether the Council will take action on these suggestions remains to be seen. Still, as more developments advance across the city, Hill’s warning may resonate with more residents who suddenly find out about new buildings, new roads, or new zoning — only after it’s already been decided.
📣 Final Word
As developers expand their footprint across the city — and residents discover projects only after ground is broken — Lisa Hill’s question looms large:
“Are Reno’s neighborhoods being heard, or just managed?”
📬 Stay Informed
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