By ELLIE WALLER | Tahoe Vista
Shame on the DMB Highlands staff for submitting a permit under penalty of perjury stating this was a residential remodel, which triggered Tahoe Regional Planning Agency exemptions, when in reality it is a Martis Camp private amenity, a commercial enterprise.
Shame on the engineering firm hired by the applicant for submitting a complete site assessment under the previous owners name and not under the name DMB Highlands for Martis Camp.
Shame on the plan checker at Placer County. The drawings submitted by the project applicant for permitting were for a single-family residence remodel. The remodel removed the garage as well as four of the five bedrooms and installed 10 toilets and five showers. The North Tahoe Public Utility District was not fooled and requested commercial fees. The fire department was not fooled and required limitations on the number of users and type of occupancy.
Shame on the Placer County Building Department and Planning staff. In March, I began submitting information and requests for clarification to both Placer County and TRPA. I was continually told this is a single-family residence remodel and all rules would be followed. I provided photographs, ads in the paper from Martis Camp advertising a “beach shack,” and online information proving this is a private amenity. I presented before various agencies, with no ramifications to the applicant.
Shame on Placer County for not requiring design review of the project for change of use, colors, materials, landscaping, signage, or gates and fences, especially in the shore zone.
Shame on Placer County and TRPA for allowing off-site parking for the beach shack on a site that has not completed BMPs.
On Aug. 27, TRPA’s legal committee convened to discuss the beach shack. The Martis Camp beach shack discussion was summed up and Placer County was told that the pre-existing awkwardness of an interim use was not to be used as an intended pending use. Placer County should not do this in the future. This loophole MUST be closed.
Finally, shame on the applicant’s attorney for stating during the legal committee hearing that Martis Camp just wanted to open its amenity for the summer season. If this was done correctly, the public would have no battle as the process and rules would have been followed.
This is very unsettling and setting a bad precedent for the future — breaking the rules for months on end with no consequences. I am astounded that not one single penalty or violation fee was ever assessed.
