Reno residents voice opposition to proposed Lakeridge apartment complex

Plans for a new apartment complex on the site of the former Lakeridge Tennis Court have sparked opposition from local residents.

During a Ward 2 Neighborhood Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday evening, representatives from Thompson-Thrift Development Inc., based in Indianapolis, presented their proposal for the complex, which would feature two 4-5 story buildings with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

The nearly ten-acre property would include more than two acres of landscaping, featuring 309 trees, and amenities such as a pool and potentially a dog park. The development would also provide 438 parking spaces.

However, many community members expressed concerns about the project, citing public safety, increased traffic, and dissatisfaction with the idea of apartments in the area. Terry Ruppert, a Reno resident and HOA Board Member for the Lakeridge Villas, said, "They're wanting to approve a four and five story building, and we feel that the architecture is completely incompatible with the neighborhood. We also feel it's a huge public safety issue because the traffic would be exiting and entering on Lakeside and on Plumas, which are already difficult areas to access... currently without the addition of 273 apartments."

Steve Topol, whose family built the Lakeridge Apartments and Lakeridge Tennis Club, also voiced his concerns. "My concern is that I want it to be part of the Lakeridge community. I want it to look like and be a part of Lakeridge and not be something separate and come from another area, another part of the world, and still establish itself in Reno and in Lakeridge," he said.

Ward 2 Councilwoman Naomi Duerr noted that community members tend to prefer condos over apartments. "I know that people tend to like condos, the general public, better than apartments... because condos you have to buy. It's more like a house. It's like a smaller house in a building. Apartments have more temporary residents. I mean, people may stay one two years... they may stay ten years, but there is a more transient population... and so that's a pretty big difference to some people," Duerr said.

The concerns raised by the community and Ward 2 board members will be taken back to Thompson-Thrift Development Inc. The planning commission is expected to review the plan and decide on the next steps on December 5.