2020 brought many unexpected and unfortunate cancellations to AIANN’s event schedule due to COVID-19. Fortunately, AIANN has still had many opportunities to advocate for positive change in our community.

Our efforts to make architect’s voices heard in the City of Reno’s new development code have occurred through the entire process, from the first draft through final approval. By the publication of this article, the latest development code will hopefully have been adopted. Nate Hudson, AIA and Jack Hawkins, AIA, have continued to serve on the Technical Working Group for the development code rewrite. They provided input on the “adoption draft” of the new code, pushing for more reasonable standards relating to infill type development, parking, affordable housing, ecological impacts of development within our region and the overall simplification of the code and development process. One of the most significant (anticipated) changes in the new development code is the inclusion of baseline sustainability requirements focusing on our community’s future ecological health. Members of the AIANN Advocacy committed and supported these sustainability requirements and provided technical input for their implementation. As with the old development code, the new development code will have an enormous impact on what and where new developments get built. AIANN has not let the opportunity to influence the new development code pass architects by.

2020 also brought us the opportunity to defend the Skyways Ordinance in the current development code. In the aftermath of the aggressive and pervasive skyways constructed downtown in the ’90s, the City of Reno added the Skyways Ordinance to the development code in 2000. A key provision of this ordinance was that any new skyway was to be reviewed by a design review committee composed of design professionals. This year the Reno City Council took under consideration removing the Design Review Committee from the ordinance. The AIANN, along with many other organizations and individuals, local historian Alicia Barber, in particular, opposed this change with letters, phone calls, member outreach and providing public comment. Through AIANN’s efforts, we’re pleased that the new development code includes a Skyway Ordinance with the Design Review Committee intact.

At the state level, AIANN and AIA Nevada will monitor bills during the 2021 legislative session and keep AIA membership informed of legislation affecting our profession. If you would like to get involved with the Advocacy Committee or have an issue that you would like to bring to our attention, please email us at aiann@aiann.org.