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Welcome to
the Silver Knolls Community Organization's website
Located 8 miles north of
Reno, Nevada, Silver Lake is near the intersection of
Highway 395 and Red Rock Road at the base of Peavine
mountain. The nearby residential area of Silver Knolls
overlooks the lake and Stead Airport, where the exciting Reno
Air Races take place every September.
If you would like more
information about Silver Knolls send us an e-mail with
your questions... OrangeElmo@gmail.com
Community Room Use
To use the Community Room at
the Fire House, call 775-328-3605 or contact volunteerprogramlead@tmfpd.us
The Fire House Community Room address is 11525 Red Rock
Road, Reno, NV 89508. Download and print out the Station
Use Permit.
The
next SKCO Board meeting, is the Annual Membership
Meeting, May 19th, 2021 at 7 pm. Details here.
Latest
news...
Open burning is now closed.
SPECIAL
NOTICE:
The
Silver Lake Fire Station WILL NOT be used for the spring
2021 Green Waste Collection Days.
Green
waste dumps outside of the designated hours or at other
TMFR locations will be considered illegal dumping and
will be followed up with law enforcement.
The developer (LifeStyle Homes) appealed to the Truckee
Meadows Regional Governing Board on February
13, 2020 to get the zoning amendment passed. They
won their appeal. Silver Hills development will move
forward. They say they won't break ground for the
first house for 2 - 3 years.
Results of Jan. 23, 2020 TMRPC appeal:
From WashoeRAP.com, "The appeal of the Silver
Hills development was heard by the Truckee
Meadows Regional Planning Commission Jan. 23. The TMRPA had
previously denied the
project finding it non-conforming. This commission
represents the principal governmental bodies of the Truckee
Meadows: Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County.
On the motion to overturn the TMRPA decision and to approve
the zoning amendment, the vote was 5-4... the motion failed
since a 2/3 majority was required."
Next, "...the motion to approve the project as a project of
regional significance, the votes were the same. But,
the outcome was different since only a simple majority is
needed for this motion. So, the project is approved, but it
cannot move forward since the zoning has not been changed to
accommodate it. The developer plans to appeal to the Truckee
Meadows Regional Governing Board to get the
zoning amendment passed." That meeting will be Feb. 13, 2:00
PM. Please try to be there. Meeting will be held at Washoe
County Commission Chambers, 1001 East Ninth Street, Reno.
You can read further details on WashoeRAP.com.
County
Commissioners meeting January 14, 2020 the
Commissioners voted 4-1 to appeal the December 11 TMPRA
decision (below).
The Zoning & Master Plan change proposal will go back to
the TMPRA for reconsideration Jan. 23. (Results above.)
After the Jan. 23 appeal, the Silver Hills Master Plan and
zoning change proposal will go to the TMPRA Regional
Planning Governing Board on February 13th. Time and place to
be announced. The Board is composed of ten members drawn
from three local jurisdictions; City of Reno, City of Sparks
and Washoe County. Please put it on your calendar to attend.
Our NVCAB met
January 13 and was well attended. A dozen or so neighbors
spoke against the proposal to move several parcels of land
in our area from the Reno-Stead Joint Corridor plan to
Washoe County regulatory zoning categories. The NVCAB board
voted to deny support for the change. Also in this meeting 2
daycare facilities (Lemmon Valley & Coldsprings) got the
green light.
Thieves:
Early Sunday, Jan. 5,
five residences, garages, and/or vehicles in Silver Knolls
were broken into, in the Manassas Ct., Calle Maria, and
south Osage areas. Tools and other belongings were stolen.
One vehicle was stolen. The Sheriff asks that if you were
affected, please fill out an online report... click here
to file report. If anyone in the area has surveillance
pictures or video footage, the Sheriff would like to know.
The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning
Commission Board met December 11, 2019. On the agenda was
changing the Master Plan in our Silver Knolls area so that
the Silver Hills development could build 1,872 homes of
urban sprawl.
The Silver Hills development needed a 2/3 majority.
They didn't get that and the motion failed.
Thank you TMPRA.
Outcome (as expected) of Silver Hills appeal Oct. 22, 2019
in front of the Washoe County Commissioners... Washoe
RAP website coverage of the appeal.
Thank you to the Gabriel family, and Richard Klein, we are
now all on the same page, working toward our common goals of
NO ZONING CHANGES and NO
housing density changes, and NO MORE THAN 780 new
homes in the proposed Silver Hills development here in
Silver Knolls!
______________________________
From Russ Earle, President SKCO
As a Community Organization SKCO is not against responsible
development, just ill conceived and irresponsible
development. If the proposed Silver Hills adhered to our
current zoning we would not be against it. We just feel that
high density (7-10 homes per acre in some areas) is not what
our area is about nor is it currently zoned for.
I am again asking all of our Silver Knolls residents that
feel that the negative impacts Silver Hills development will
be vital to our way of life, and the look of our community,
please contact our County Commissioners, Washoe County
Planning Commission, and Roger Pelham at the Planning Dept
via e-mail to voice opposition to the new Silver Hills Plan.
I am attaching a contact list at the end of this message.
Reasons for opposition are:
• increased traffic (over 19,000 added daily car trips on
Red Rock/395)
• increased pollution (light, environmental, noise),
• decrease in property values,
• lack of infrastructure (sewer, water, roads),
• Impact fees do not cover costs of road and sewer
improvements,
• destruction of views,
• increased dust,
• increased risk of flooding,
• negative impact on wildlife (deer, antelope, etc.),
• increased risk of fire due to high building density,
• increased crime likely,
• negative impact on emergency services that are already
unavailable or have delayed response times
Our
contacts in public office and how to reach them,
including sample letter.
Heads up.
UPDATE as of
June 2019 The Developer LifeStyle Homes has
placed Silver Hills back in the approval pipeline...
Silver Hills development went before the North Valley
Citizens Advisory Board on Monday, June 10: it was
unanimously denied by the NVCAB members.
Mid-June
2019 - Washoe County Planning Dept Staff report
on Silver Hills development was made public. If you would
like a copy of the file email orangeelmo@gmail.com with
your request.
LifeStyle Homes is now asking for zoning changes and
Master Plan Amendments on both sides of Red Rock, with
housing density changes, all "with the intent of approving
a specific plan allowing the development of 1,872 dwelling
units."
Note that they now want to build 1,872 homes total on 780
acres on both sides of Red Rock Road, not the
aforementioned 1,654 homes only on the west side of Red
Rock that they spoke of at the 'Visioning Meetings' in
December.
A Silver Knolls resident's response
to the Visioning Workshops.
Silver Hills update: Here are the conclusion 'pages' from
the 3rd Visioning Workshop December 19, 2018. Next, Roger
Pelham will write up a report for his boss from his
conclusions, and then it goes to the Washoe Planning
Commission and the County Commissioners, and to our NVCAB
(North Valleys Citizens Advisory Bureau.)
Click on picture to enlarge.
Roger Pelham and Trevor Llyod work for the Washoe County
Planning Commission. You can email them your thoughts on
the Silver Hills development at rpelham@washoecounty.us
and tlloyd@washoecounty.us
Silver Hills previously: There were 3 'Visioning
Workshops' Dec. 17, 19, and 20, 2018, held at the Silver
Lake Elementary School in Stead. Roger Pelham and Trevor
Lloyd of the Reno Planning Commission led the meetings.
The
developers, LifeStyle Homes, want to build about building
1,654 homes in Silver Knolls (and that's only on the west
side of Red Rock Road, around our fire station.) We
need to voice our concerns regarding housing density,
water sourcing, sewage treatment
plan (the Stead sewage treatment plant is already
nearing capacity), not to mention increased traffic
congestion on Red Rock Road and hwy 395... ??
This development was originally planned for 680 homes,
now they want to nearly quadruple the number!
The
Silver Hills developers, LifeStyle Homes, are
seeking zoning changes and housing density changes
from the County. They will be asking for
permission to build nearly 4 times as many units as
originally permitted!

May 5, 2019: Green Waste Day at our fire house was very well
attended.

The BLM chipper was turning the green waste into mulch which
is available to homeowners.
News Update September 19, 2018 from the SKCO Board
meeting... Silver Hills stalled for now
The Silver Hills Development proposal planned for Silver
Knolls did NOT go before the Washoe County Planning
Commission September 4th, 2018 as planned, and it likely
won't be on the October agenda, either.
SKCO sent a letter to the Deputy District Attorney of Washoe
County outlining the lack of adherence to the Master Plan
for the removal of land from the Silver Knolls Character
Management Area. The DA then spoke with the Planning
Department and it was determined that, in fact, no
'Visioning Workshop' had ever been held, so that requirement
will need to be met before the Plan can be put before the
Planning Commission. Therefore, it looks like the plan will
be delayed 2-3 months before it can go before the Planning
Commission. Look for the 'Visioning Workshop' to be on the
NVCAB agenda in the very near future.
NVCAB & Washoe Co. Planning Commission: The
Silver Hills development proposed for Silver
Knolls on the west side of Red Rock Road came before the
North Valleys Citizens' Advisory Board on August 13, 2018.
The NVCAB heard the Silver Hills amended code
proposals.
Item 6 A. Requesting a Washoe
County Master Plan amendment, North Valleys Area Plan;
and
Item 6 B. Requesting zoning
amendment to change the zoning to higher density, and
other requests.
Result: The NVCAB unanimously voted against making these
requested zoning changes.
Our
contacts in public office and how to reach them,
including sample letter.
The
North Valleys Master Plan in pdf format, from the
Washoe County Department of Community Development, adopted
2010.
Older
News:
Community Yard Sale:
Our 23rd Annual Silver Knolls Community Yard sale took
place Saturday & Sunday, June 2nd & 3rd, 2018. 48
homes participated. Delicious BBQ was provided by the
Silver Knolls Silver Spurs 4-H club.
The 'wild' Christmas tree that was burned in the wildfire
July 14th, 2017 got some company on November 4th. While
some community members had shovels in hand, and lots of
supervisors watched, three trees were planted – arranged
in front of the original burned ‘wild’ Christmas tree
which will remain as a memorial and remembrance. It was
very windy but sunny. Thank you Dale for spearheading this
event. We are ready for Christmas!

Before
the planting (below) – the original burned tree and
the barren charred hillside, with community members
starting to gather.
The Silver Knolls
community would like to thank the fire fighters, air
tanker pilots, and Sheriff's Deputies who saved our area
from the July 14th, 2017 wildfire that burned up and
over the granite hills from Cold Springs. No structures
were lost or damaged.
Here are some guidelines for erosion control, post
wildfire.
Silver_Knolls_post_wildfire_letter.pdf
Erosion_Control_after_Wildfire.pdf
From the Stead airport
manager:
Regarding the tanker base activity since late June, as of
July 5th 2017, there were 280 tanker sorties that
delivered 447,000 gallons of retardant on area fires. This
does not count the sorties flown by the Sheriff
helicopter, or other helicopter sorties.
Because of the potential for flooding, starting Monday,
March 20, 2017 the County Road Department began installing
the same barrier system (Hesco) being used in Lemmon
Valley to keep Silver Lake from coming up onto Red Rock
Road at the road's lowest point.
Peavine Mountain & nearly flooded Silver Lake.
Photo credit: Gail Mattingly
Community Yard Sale:
The 22nd Annual Silver Knolls Community Yard sale was
Sunday, June 4th, 2017. 55 homes participated. SKCO
and volunteer firemen hosted a BBQ lunch at the fire house
community room.
Domestic_wells_update.pdf
Fire proof your property... Volunteer Fire fighter Dale
Hildebrandt gave a presentation and handouts, Saturday,
August 13th on Living with Fire! To schedule a fire danger
assessment of your property call Dale, 775-772-3750.

Photo: Chuck Ross
Wildfire, 7
miles north of Silver Knolls, the night of August 6,
2016, burned 1700 acres, mostly on Goldstone Road,
stretching down from the top of Cold Springs. There were
only a few evacuations and no structures were lost.
Our
2016 Desert Cleanup was Saturday, June 18th hosted by Keep
Truckee Meadows Beautiful KTMB.
A small group picked up illegally dumped trash on the desert
to the west and northwest of Silver Knolls.
Read
the latest update 1/9/2016 regarding Changing
our Silver Knolls Fire Protection Services,
also, Recent 911 Call
Raises Concern... on SLVFD's fire
page.

Older News
Reflective address signs are still available. Call Nancy
at 775-225-3784 and leave a message. In an emergency, if
the fire department or ambulance needs to find your house
these signs are a huge help, day or night.
Septic Systems
The SLPOA Board has been gathering information for our
residents about septic systems. We hosted a speaker from
the Washoe County Community Services Department who
addressed this topic at our Board Meeting, June 2014.
What
to Do About Septic Systems.pdf
Septic
systems letter.txt
Nitrate
memo May 2010.pdf
Golden
Valley Newsletter September 2010.pdf
Local
Desert Cleanup: Working with the non-profit group
Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, local volunteers met May 2,
2015 to clean up trash on our local desert. More details here.
Unpaved roads:
Regarding the unpaved streets Wagon Ho and part of Osage
in Silver Knolls, there was a meeting in the Washoe County
complex, September 1st. Commissioner Weber and County road
representatives were present to address the problems of
our Silver Knolls unpaved roads. This meeting was open to
the public. Read the report in the winter issue of the
SLPOA newsletter
Water export:
The water export project from the Rancho Haven area north
of Silver Knolls, has been stopped.The appeal to the
Nevada Supreme Court by the Redrock Valley Ranch, LLC
(RVR) has been denied as of July 7, 2011. Read about the
decision here Caselaw
News -
The Red Rock wildfire was burning to our northwest
in mid July 2009. Air tankers, helicopters and ground
crews battled the fire on 4 fronts. Thank you to all those
who fought the fire and kept us safe.

News - The big golf ball you may have seen
parked out on the Stead Airport property near the National
Guard buildings last year was actually a 90 ft. diameter,
helium filled experimental airship with 4 engines and a
pilot gondola. It needs to be tethered when it's windy.
News
- We've received several complaints about
residents feeding coyotes in our area. This is a bad
practice on several levels and may lead to the coyotes
being destroyed.
The Humane Society has a
great page about living with Coyotes.
5/12/09 - Appeal of the Board of Adjustment?s
Action Denying Without Prejudice Special Use Permit Case
No. SB08-023 (aka Red Rock water pipeline) -- Community
Development. (Commission District 5.) - Commissioners
denied the appeal without prejudice.
3/5/09 - The
Washoe County Board of Adjustment met March 4th, 2009.
After 5 hours of deliberations, the Board decided
unanimously to 'deny without prejudice' the permit for the
Red Rock Road water pipeline. (Special use permit
SB08-023). Approximately 200 residents of the Sierra
Ranchos and Rancho Haven attended the meeting.
December
'08 News - FEMA has declared that flood plains
be redefined in many of the areas in the U.S. Our area is
no exception. Many residents in the south Osage and Wagon
Ho areas have received maps and letters from the county
regarding the revised flood plain in our area. Being
included in the flood plain can affect your insurance.
Download the first
map and letter. Second
map and letter. These are large, multi-page pdf
files. View in Adobe Acrobat.
Neighborhood
Watch:
The residents of Silver Knolls have formed a very active
Neighborhood Watch group. Join us!
Contact Neighborhood Watch
by email at orangeelmo@gmail.com
Bylaws: Current
Silver Knolls Community Organization Bylaws,
approved by membership May 2017; in pdf format.
Previous Bylaws, approved by SLPOA Membership at the
Annual Membership Meeting May 20, 2009. SLPOA
Bylaws in pdf format.
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