Reno's Sign Code Revision: A Tale of Convenient Timing
Check out Scenic Nevada’s website: www.scenic.org/2024/09/20/more-downtown-big-flashy-signs-contemplated/
The long-delayed revision of Reno's sign code is finally emerging from bureaucratic limbo, but the timing and process raise questions about transparency and public input. Perhaps most telling: the city has chosen to hold these crucial discussions virtually, limiting direct community engagement.
The pattern is familiar. Controversial issues were strategically postponed through the 2024 election cycle, protecting council members facing tight races. Consider Councilmember Kathleen Taylor's narrow victory margin of 287 votes over Frank Perez—a candidate known for his expertise in Reno city code. Meanwhile, downtown residents in The Palladio, Arlington Towers, Park Towers, and The Montage continue waiting for resolution on critical noise issues that were conveniently deferred.
This follows a troubling precedent, similar to Councilmember Devon Reese's ethics violation being delayed until after the election. The deferment secured Reese’s campaign win.
Now, with Taylor, Reese, Martinez, and Anderson forming a reliable four-vote majority, the sign code revision appears poised for what they want—but on whose terms? The city seems to have a plan already in mind, one that may prioritize developer and lobbyist interests over resident concerns about Reno's visual character.
The stakes are high. This isn't just about signs—it's about the future visual landscape of our city. Without robust public engagement, Reno residents might wake up to find their city transformed into something they never approved.
The message is clear: if residents don't engage now—despite the virtual format seemingly designed to minimize participation—the Reno they know might disappear, replaced by a version crafted by developer interests and approved by a council that waited until after elections to tackle this contentious issue.
The irony shouldn't be lost: the same residents who elected this council majority now face the challenge of preventing them from fundamentally altering the city's character. The question remains: will Reno's residents speak up before it's too late?
Make sure you participate in the February 10th and February 13th meetings or who know what new code you will end up with.