County Adopts New Industrial Zoning Districts

Amended industrial zoning districts were formally adopted by the Churchill County Commission at its Sept. 17 meeting. The ordinance deletes the singular all-encompassing “I” zoning in the county and replaces it with I-1, I-2, and I-3 zoning designations.

The I-1 Zoning District is intended for commercial and light industrial uses, the I-2 Zoning District is meant for medium industrial uses, and the I-3 Zoning District is for heavy industrial uses. The new designations are meant to provide more clarity into the types of activities allowed in each district and to keep heavy industrial away from residential areas and located in areas that align with the county’s master plan.

The Planning and Public Works Department began work on the zoning changes in March and hosted joint workshops with the County Commission and Planning Commission in April and June. The Planning Commission approved the ordinance at its Aug. 13 meeting, sending it to County Commissioners for the first reading on Sept. 4.

Some of the changes to the ordinance include establishing a Conditional Zoning Permit, redefining power generation facilities as either minor or major generators, outlining the processes of sending notice to neighboring properties, and streamlining the zoning review.

Randy Hines, director of the Public Works, Planning & Building Department, said his department received a letter from SB Energy, a solar power plant near Interstate-80 in northern Churchill County, requesting that solar-powered major power generation be considered with a Conditional Zoning Permit in the I-2 and I-3 districts. Ultimately, the commission voted that solar-powered major power generation will be a Special Use Permit in I-1 and I-2 zoning, and a Conditional Zoning Permit in the I-3 zones.

Although several public meetings were held this year about the proposed zoning changes, two residents spoke at the Sept. 17 meeting to express their frustration. Steven Vogel said he was against the rezoning in Hazen, claimed it would cause damages and affect the underground aquifer; he left before commissioners could respond. One woman, who did not give her name, said she didn’t understand the maps and how, or if, she would be affected. Chief Civil Deputy District Attorney Joe Sanford summarized the changes and emphasized only existing industrial lots were being rezoned, no new industrial lots were being created. She was satisfied with the explanation. 

Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Bill 2025-A, Ordinance 32 which amends Title 16 of the Churchill County Code. They also took action to rezone all industrial parcels in the county. New land use tables can be found on the webpage for the Public Works, Planning and Building Department at churchillcountynv.gov. 

The Commission also heard or took action on the following items:

• A presentation from an Extension Specialist from the University of Nevada, Reno about a survey being done in the Humboldt River basin asking how rural communities deal with drought, heat and fire.
• Approved an abandonment of a drainage easement on Conrad Place, filed by Gary Laca.
• Approved of the disposal of broken equipment from the District Attorney’s Office
• Accepted a grant from the Nevada Department of Human Services to Churchill County Social Services to provide help for individuals and families in need through the Family Resource Center.
• Approved of John Hong as the Churchill County Library Director.
• Approved of the plan to close the Rural Public Health Laboratory.
• Heard a presentation from Steven Christie who pitched the idea of a bicycle pump track for future grant funding consideration.
• Approved of the advanced step appointment of Joe Sanford to Assistant County Manager-HR Director.
• Approved the distribution of Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes of $3,071,354, which was $296,354 above budget. The comptroller stated the excess will be sent to the Parks & Recreation Fund.
• Approval of the distribution of FY 2025 geothermal revenues, which came in $26,987.48 under budget. The comptroller will adjust the budgets of three funds.
• Approval of the distribution of FY 2025 Consolidated Tax Revenue, which came in $425,693.01 above budget. The comptroller will send funds to the Social Services and Parks & Recreation funds.