In order to assist in implementation of the Regional Plan, NRS describes a variety of plans and projects that must be found in conformance with the Plan. Conformance reviews must be completed for all local government and affected entity master plans, facilities plans, and other similar plans, and any amendmentsto those plans. Projects that are of larger scale and could potentially impact the region, called Projectsof Regional Significance (PRS), are also required to be reviewed for conformance with the Regional Plan.
A TMRPA staff analysis, Regional Planning Commission action, or in some instances a Regional Planning Governing Board (RPGB) action must find that an item submitted for a review of conformance with the Regional Plan is essentially making a determination that the item is promoting, and not conflicting, with this Plan. A policy containing findings (RC 9 – Conformance Review Findings) helps to guide TMRPA staff, the RPC, and the RPGB in making these decisions.
A training regarding review criteria (including policy RC 9 of the Regional Plan) will be provided at an upcoming RPC meeting.
Most cases TMRPA receives are conformance reviews. These include Master Plan Amendments and Projects of Regional Significance. The development review process follows a similar trajectory across the three jurisdictions with slight differences.
The development review process starts at the local jurisdictions with a pre-application meeting between landowners/representatives and the local jurisdiction planning staff. After this, application from the landowner is completed and the relevant jurisdiction will include the application on a Development Review Memorandum (DRM) which is sent out to relevant entities requesting comment. TMRPA reviews all DRM’s and provides an Initial Review Memorandum (IRM) for any case that will require Regional review.
Following this, the case will be heard by the local jurisdiction planning commission. For the City of Reno and Washoe County, the case will then proceed to the elected body for review (Reno City Council and Washoe Board of County Commissioners). Cases are then formally submitted to TMRPA for conformance review. After staff analysis, the Regional Planning Commission makes the final determination, unless the item is appealed. For cases submitted by the City of Reno or Washoe County, this constitutes a final approval for a case. City of Sparks cases are brought to the Sparks City Council for final approval, after the Regional review process.
A small percentage of cases TMRPA receives require an amendment to the Regional Plan. These cases most often follow a similar review process as a conformance review, however in order to be heard by the Regional Planning Commission these cases must be sponsored. Most often this sponsorship is provided by the local jurisdiction, however in rare cases the RPC itself may sponsor an amendment to be heard. Additionally, for Regional Plan Amendments, the RPC makes a recommendation to the Regional Planning Governing Board (RPGB) who then makes the final determination.