A 28-acre plot of land at the north end of Evans Canyon adjacent to protected wildlife habitats and national forest land is currently under threat of a proposed 142-townhome development known as Rancho San Raphael Phase IV (Desert Winds Homes, case no. LDC22-00008). We need your help to stop it.

Why should we be concerned with this development?

Rancho IV is in direct conflict with the Guiding Principles of the Reno Master Plan, particularly section 7, "QUALITY PLACES AND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES" and 7.1D, "Promote the protection and conservation of significant wildlife habitats, slopes, stream and drainageway environments, prominent ridgelines, mature stands of trees, and other natural and scenic resources for purposes of wildlife survival, community education, research, recreation, and aesthetics." Here's why: 

• The parcel is home to an extremely rare buckwheat known as altered andesite buckwheat (Eriogonum robustum), a beautiful flowering shrub that does not exist anywhere else in the world except in 14 scattered locations across Reno. The plant is a BLM Sensitive Species, a US Forest Service Region 4 Sensitive Species, ranked "Highly Vulnerable" by the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage, and is listed as "imperiled" by NaturServe. Despite these rankings, the plant has no formal protection on private lands, such as those under consideration for this development. Given the Master Plan's focus on preserving significant and unique animal and plant habitats in the Reno area, approving a project that would wipe out an entire thriving population of Eriogonum robustum is indefensible. 
• 7.1D of the Master Plan also aims to protect prominent ridgelines, mature stands of trees, and other resources key to wildlife survival. This parcel is adjacent to public forest service lands and county-protected wetlands. This development will create a wildlife habitat disruption for dozens of different animal species that thrive in and around the wetland area including owls, hawks, quails, vultures, coyotes, bobcats, rabbits, mountain lions, and the occasional bear.  Additionally, at least 19 mature, old-growth Jeffery Pine trees are proposed to be cut down. 
• The parcel lies within the Washoe County Source Water Protection Area and Critical Source Water Protected Area, (see map), which also conflicts with the Reno Master Plan section 7.1E, "Hydrologic resources that are in immediate danger as a result of surrounding land use, development proposals or other human interference, should receive the highest level of protection through public acquisition, application of land use, and/or zoning controls."
• The steep grade of the canyon adjacent to the proposed project and the sensitivity of Evan’s Creek and the creek’s importance as a CSWPA causes concerns with water and soil erosion issues. (This also conflicts with Reno Master Plan section 7.1 B,C, F, and G.) It is unclear if special measures are being taken to adhere to any SWPA requirements. A more complete, in-depth hydrological study (with a clear focus on water quality) needs to be done before the approval of this development.    
• Rock features on the parcel create a unique ridgeline (Reno Master Plan 7.1D), and public rock features adjacent to the parcel serve as a vista point for many recreational users. The view from the public rock features will be partially obstructed due to this proposed development.
• Final renderings of the development were not completed in time for the Reno Planning Commission meeting, which means neither the public nor the planning commission received essential documents that would impart the full visual impact of the ridge development.
• Those who voted in favor of the development referenced the need for affordable housing as justification for building on this parcel. In the neighboring townhouse community Rancho III, which was built by the same developers and was completed at the beginning of 2021, a three-bedroom townhome with no view, no yard, and no amenities is currently pending for $439k (575 Logan Jacob Ln, Reno, NV 89503. MLS# 210015532, Redfin). The average income needed for a $400k+ mortgage is about $100k/year but the median household income in Reno is only $58,790. The proposed townhomes in Rancho IV are bigger, more elaborate, and will have unobstructed views of both the city, mountains, and desert. In short, the people most affected by the housing crisis in this city won’t be able to afford to live in the so-called “affordable” new neighborhood.
• The parcel is adjacent to hiking and mountain biking trails that Reno-ites use to "escape to nature." The development will create years of noise pollution and construction debris that will blow over the ridge and into the canyon used for hiking and mountain biking. 

We are not fighting development for the sake of fighting development. We are fighting development on this particular property. Its natural rock features, old-growth trees, wildlife habitats, and rare flora do not exist in other parts of the city—and in the case of the altered andesite buckwheat, do not exist anywhere else in the world. Bulldozing this unique corner of our city’s wildland is unconscionable, especially when it is both optional and conflicts with the Reno Master Plan's own decreed to conserve and protect Reno’s natural resources and environment.

We urge you to sign and share this petition. The decision will be made on January 26, 2022. Time is ticking, and this is our last shot.

Please call and email your City Council Members and tell them you oppose the Rancho IV Development. The parcel is located in Ward 4. 

Ward 4 Bonnie Weber: weberb@reno.gov | 775-334-2015

Mayor Hillary Schieve: mayor@reno.gov | 775-334-2001

At Large Devon Reese: reesed@reno.gov | 775-334-2014

Ward 1 Jenny Brekhus: brekhusj@reno.gov | 775-334-2011

Ward 2 Naomi Duerr: duerrn@reno.gov | 775-334-2017

Ward 3 Oscar Delgado: delgadoo@reno.gov | 775-334-2012

Ward 5 Neoma Jardon: jardonn@reno.gov | 775-334-2016