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After only three people spoke in opposition, the Reno City Planning Commission unanimously approved Wednesday night special-use permits for Station Casinos to build a 900-room hotel-casino on the Mount Rose Highway.
After questioning casino officials on issues raised by the residents, such as lighting, signage and tall buildings, the commission unanimously approved the permits that allow for three 225-foot-tall towers that go beyond the regional center plan's 55-foot limit, a 165,000 square-foot casino and larger signs than allowed but smaller than the developer wanted.
"I'd rather see a taller tower that doesn't take up so much of the panorama," said Commissioner Dennis Romeo, speaking of the mountain views.
Mark Dunkeson, Station Casinos vice president for development, assured the commission that the latest lighting technology will be used in keeping the night skies dark. Lighting consultants described in detail how lights will be kept on the property and shielded.
But there will be an electronic sign raised above the elevated freeway that can be read from a half-mile by motorists heading south on Interstate 580. It will be almost 300 square feet bigger than the Grand Sierra Resort sign but will be dimmed at night.
"It looks like it's going to be done right," Romeo said. "They've done nothing but work with the city and labor groups."
"What this offers the community is incredible," said Commissioner Lisa Foster. "Station Casinos coming to Reno says a lot about our economy and growth."
"This is something this area of town sorely needs," said commission Chairman Darrin Georgeson.
During months of hearings, Noel Edwards said Station Casinos officials repeatedly told residents to look at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson as an example of what its South Virginia Street resort would look like.
"When they first came with Green Valley, I thought it was wonderful," Edwards told the Reno Planning Commission at a Wednesday hearing. "Then they came in with this, towers at 225 feet rather than 55 feet. I have to wonder why we have codes and regulations."
She was among more than 80 people at the planning commission hearing.
To be built in two phases on 88.7 acres, the $500 million Mt. Rose Station would cover 3 million square feet.
"We're not hindering views of the surroundings," architect Albie Colotto said. "We want to add something into the setting, creating an icon."
Lawyer John Frankovich, representing the Summit Sierra Shopping Center, said no height limit was set for hotel-casinos in the Redfield Regional Center plan because a large casino requires a special-use permit anyway.
"We knew it would be more," he said. "This should not be a surprise to anybody."
Todd Koch, president of the council that representing 8,000 building and construction trade workers, was among about 40 supporters in the audience.
"This is the kind of project that puts food on our tables, " he said. "We can earn our retirements and live with dignity in the community."
The planning commission's decision will stand unless an appeal is filed. Any appeal would be heard Nov. 15 by the City Council.
Of notes and letters sent to the city by last Friday, 41 favored the project, 17 raised concerns and 18 were in opposition.
"We look forward to having good restaurants convenient to our house," wrote Arthur and Shirley DiSalvo, who live on Broili Drive.
Others favored creation of new jobs and shared concerns over the height of the towers.
"Anything over 7-10 stories should be in the downtown core area," wrote resident Ryan Johnson.
He said the project should be similar to Station's Green Ranch resort in Henderson: "A very classy, very high end production with no high-rise building; 225 feet is just a crazy height for that area."
Resident Thom Rigg wrote a casino of this size "has the potential to suck the life out of downtown.
"The casinos in downtown are fighting for their very existence. The number of jobs that would be lost will be enormous."
Mt. Rose would be the first large hotel built in the Reno area since the Silver Legacy in 1995.
The towers would be taller than the 171-foot hotel tower at the Peppermill but shorter than the highest Atlantis hotel tower, which is 320 feet.
The 165,000-square-foot casino would be much bigger than the 100,00 square-feet at the Grand Sierra. A Bass Pro outdoors shop is planned as part of the complex and would contain 150,000 square feet of space.
Despite loud opposition from some residents and the Culinary Union, the city approved the Redfield Regional Center plan in December 2005, including tourist-commercial use.
The hotel towers would be about a half-mile from the nearest homes, visible to some of them and about 90 feet above the Interstate 580 overpass over Mt. Rose Highway.
Shielded light fixtures in parking areas would be used. About 22 percent of the site must be landscaped and would include more than 3,000 trees and 18,000 shrubs eventually. Fountains, plazas, seating and walkways also are required.
Excess right of way along Mount Rose Highway and Virginia Street must be landscaped and have pathways.
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