Carson City Supervisors, planning commissioners to review themes for master plan update
Carson City’s Board of Supervisors and Planning Commissioners will be meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in the Robert “Bob” Crowell Board Room to discuss the focus of the City’s Land Use Master Plan Update as well as the Public Engagement Plan.
In October 2023, the City entered into a contract with Clarion Associates, a national land use consulting firm, to help the City update its Land Use Master Plan. The Land Use Master Plan is the policy document that articulates the City’s goals, objectives, and policies relative to land development.
The current plan was adopted in 2006. Since then, the freeway interchange with Highway 50 has opened, and there have been infrastructure improvements in the downtown corridor and on South Carson Street. Also, technological advancements have changed the way we shop as well as the function of the workplace. Per the State demographer, the City’s population has increased by 5.24 percent in the 11 years between 2006 and 2022, which is the most current certified population data available.
In December, interviews were conducted with each Board member and Commissioner as well as young residents, long-time residents, representatives from the school district, Western Nevada College, Carson Tahoe Hospital, the airport, local businesses, and others to understand what the focus of the update should be.
Based on that input, the consultants are recommending a focus on: (1) factors that influence growth rate, (2) clarifying land use designations and policies for transitional areas, (3) revitalization along major corridors, (4) recalibrate land use designations to reflect changing dynamics of retail and employment, (5) define housing needs and the City’s role in creating and maintaining a diverse housing stock, (6) reinforce Carson City’s commitment to environmental stewardship, and (7) strengthen local partnerships and leverage community assets.
At the meeting, the consultant will also review the draft Public Engagement Plan. This plan provides the strategy for the community to participation in the update. The Board and Commissioners will review this draft and provide input to improve the efficacy.
All questions about the Land Use Master Plan Update can be directed to Community Development Director Hope Sullivan at planning@carson.org or 775-887-2180.