Reno, Nevada, City Council Rejects Jiffy Lube Proposal Following Protests

A Jiffy Lube proposed for Reno, Nevada, has been rejected by city officials following backlash from local residents, reports Reno Gazette Journal.

Utah-based TerraForm Cos. had applied for a minor conditional-use permit on behalf of Jiffy Lube, with the proposed location being zoned as neighborhood commercial and requiring approval of a special permit application to conduct auto service there.

However, the site currently serves as additional parking for a Raley’s grocery store located across the street. The store has 117 spaces, which falls below the 135 spaces required by Reno’s municipal code. The additional lot provides an extra 31 spaces.

For that reason, the permit for the Jiffy Lube was not approved, as outlined in the city’s decision letter—but there were other reasons at play for its rejection, as well. Residents have been voicing strong opposition to the Jiffy Lube’s development, even taking to the streets to protest the proposal.

With the proposed location being on an intersection known for heavy traffic and in a school zone, residents argued an auto service facility would hamper traffic safety. Though the developer’s representative, Elliot Smith, argued that 400 to 900 vehicles pass through the intersection every hour, residents pointed out this data was from early August 2023, when school was not in session.

Developers will be able to appeal the decision, but the city council will be expecting more action to address residents’ concerns if that ends up happening.

“If it does come in front of us, I want to make sure that staff has adequately addressed all of the issues that have been raised,” said Reno City Council member Naomi Duerr.