The Sparks Planning Commission approved a development agreement with Northern Nevada Community Housing for a proposed 40-unit affordable housing community during its March 19 meeting.
The City of Sparks owns the land, while NNCH is serving as the developer. FormGrey Studio is the architect and landscape architect.
The Reserve at Sparks is proposed on a 0.96-acre site at 306 10th St. at the NEC of 10th Street and Avenue of the Oaks. The development carries an overall density of 41 dwelling units/acre.
The site is surrounded by other housing developments, including single-family communities and multifamily apartment complexes.
The Reserve will feature 40 one-bedroom units intended for veterans making a maximum of 60% of the area median income. The development will remain affordable for at least 50 years.
Alongside the 40 units, developers are planning a community room with an attached deck. The 40 units combine for 27.9KSF of space, while the amenities add an additional 3.8KSF.
A single-family home currently sits on the site, which is intended to be an adaptive reuse item to serve the development. The remainder of the site is currently occupied by a parking lot.
NNCH has applied for federal HUD HOME funds from the Washoe County HOME Consortium to fund construction efforts. An environmental assessment must be completed prior to the issuance of any funding and the transfer of land from the City to the developer.
The current timeline suggests developers will submit for an architectural review within two years and building permits within the next four.
Development Agreement
The development agreement will last for five years with the option to extend the agreement for an additional two years.
The agreement stipulates the developer “must enter into Assignment and Assumption Agreements for HMNI Grant Agreement & Declaration of Restrictive Covenants Running with the Land.”
Under the agreement, NNCH must address any and all required off-site infrastructure improvements. The existing structure, which sits toward the southwestern portion of the site, has been deemed historically significant and, therefore, must be maintained.
NNCH is obligated to discuss its compliance with City Council 12 months after the approval. From then on, developers must discuss compliance every 24 months. Staff recommended approval of the development agreement prior to the March 19 meeting.
Project History
The City acquired the site using grant funds from the Home Means Nevada Initiative in March 2024.
Sparks later issued a request for proposals on April 23, 2025, seeking an affordable housing developer. NNCH was selected as the developer on Oct. 27, 2025. The agreement stipulates NNCH will receive the land at no cost, as it intends to both construct and operate the affordable development.
