News Briefs
Permit Fee Waiver for Storm-Damaged Buildings, Infrastructures
TRUCKEE
On March 14, the Truckee Town Council approved an expedited permit process and waiver of permit fees for storm-damaged buildings and infrastructures. Residents and business owners with storm damage are encouraged to contact the Town of Truckee Building Division so that a town building inspector can assess the property and damage.
The Town of Truckee is aware of structural building issues throughout town since the last atmospheric river delivered substantial wet snow and rain to our area on top of the significant snowfall accumulated. Town staff, including the town’s chief building official, has been on site at different residential and commercial buildings and is working with property owners to assess their damage.
The building division is committed to assuring safety in the built environment while meeting the needs of the development community in an efficient, equitable, and cost-effective manner. Contact the building division by calling (530) 582-7821 or emailing cdd@townoftruckee.com.
~ Town of Truckee press release
Snow Loading and Ice Dam Advisory
TRUCKEE
Heavy rainfall on top of snow may cause snow to melt and become further saturated, significantly increasing the load on roof or deck structures.
Please consider that structures with low-sloped or flat roofs, manufactured homes, carports, trellises, and patio covers, or buildings constructed before California adopted snow-load standards in the early 1960s, may be more susceptible to increased snow loads. Roofs with geometric irregularities and obstructions collect snow drifts in an unbalanced pattern, creating unstable conditions. These types of roofs include flat roofs with parapets, stepped roofs, saw-tooth roofs, and roofs with obstructions such as HVAC equipment or chimneys.
Here are the warning signs that there may be too much snow, water or ice on a roof or deck:
- Doors or windows have become difficult to open
- Cracking in drywall
- Beam deflection (sagging)
- Walls or posts out of plumb
- Displaced deck beams or joists at connections (commonly due to dry rot)
If you notice any of these warning signs, please consider contacting a snow removal company, and consider the professional assessments that may need to take place following these storms. The Contractors’ Association of Truckee-Tahoe can provide a database of local and reliable licensed contractors. Their directory is also available by visiting members.ca-tt.com/directory.
Residents and business owners should use caution if trying to clear heavy snow from roofs to prevent injuries from falling snow, roof damage from improper snow removal, and electrical hazards. If you can safely do so, shovel the entire roof or deck rather than just one side or portion, as uneven snow removal can create an unbalanced load situation and increase loads on adjacent portions of the structure. If you decide to shovel, take appropriate precautions to avoid slipping and shedding snow hazards, and make sure someone knows where you are and can assist you if you become injured or stuck.
~ Town of Truckee press release
Update on Western Approach Project
KINGS BEACH
Placer County will be holding an informational meeting on the Kings Beach Western Approach Project at 6 p.m. on March 21 at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. County staff will present a status update on the project, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The meeting will be live-streamed on Zoom for those who are not able to attend in person. Participants can also call in by dialing (877) 853-5247 and enter meeting ID: 934 6043 9518.
The project is designed to improve the existing signal-controlled intersection at State Route 267 and SR 28 in Kings Beach by replacing it with a roundabout and adding pedestrian and bicycle lane improvements. These changes will improve overall mobility and safety while accommodating all modes of travel, including pedestrians, bikes, vehicles, and transit.
Once complete, the project will connect with the adjacent Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project that was completed in 2017. This third and final phase of the corridor plan will address the remaining 28/267 intersection deficiencies, providing a fully integrated corridor from the Kings Beach downtown core through SR 28 toward Tahoe City.
Learn more about the Kings Beach Western Approach project here.
~ Placer County press release
Tackling Invasive Lake Plants
LAKE TAHOE
The California Tahoe Conservancy board approved a $250,000 grant to Tahoe Resource Conservation District for aquatic invasive plant surveillance and rapid response in Lake Tahoe.
“Aquatic invasive species threaten wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation opportunities at Lake Tahoe,” said Adam Acosta, chair of the conservancy board. “We’re excited to support Tahoe RCD’s efforts to detect and remove invasive plant infestations to help protect the lake.”
Tahoe RCD will employ divers to assess previously treated infestation sites and known hotspots. The divers will remove any invasive plants they find by hand or by installing and removing plant barriers.
Funds for this grant come from fees collected by the California State Lands Commission for public use of state lands at Lake Tahoe, most commonly for use of the lakebed by piers and buoy anchors.
The board discussed plans to develop the conservancy’s next strategic plan. The conservancy’s current 2018 to 2023 Strategic Plan ends soon, and work has begun for the 2024 to 2029 Strategic Plan.
The board also heard an update on the conservancy’s accomplishments in 2022. The public can view the conservancy’s 2022 annual report, available online as a story map at tahoe.ca.gov/annual-reports.
~ California Tahoe Conservancy press release
Backyard Beekeeping
PLACER COUNTY
The Placer County Board of Supervisors adopted a new beekeeping ordinance to regulate best practices in the industry and allow for hobbyist beekeeping in single-family residence backyards.
Previously, county code did not specify requirements for beekeeping activities. This has resulted in an overconcentration of beehives in certain areas and an increase in nuisance complaints.
The adopted ordinance now requires beekeepers to follow a set of standards that includes notifying adjacent neighbors of their operation, ensures water source adequacy and requires a setback for hives of at least 50 feet from a property line.
In addition, the ordinance defines a commercial bee yard as a location with 10 or more hives and requires that any new operation be located at least 1 mile from an existing bee yard.
Bee yards are now limited to five hives per acre and 100 total hives with the ability to apply for an exemption.
Too many hives in one location can lead to a reduction in honey production because nectar sources are spread too thin in that area.
The ordinance would also allow for residential beekeeping of up to two hives for hobbyists, to produce honey for personal use and to share with friends and family, but not likely enough to package and sell.
Residential beekeepers will be required to register with the agricultural commissioner’s office and notify neighbors immediately adjacent to them.
The ordinance adoption was preceded by a series of community outreach events beginning in 2020 with opportunities for members of the beekeeping industry to provide feedback and help guide the process.
For more information on beekeeping in Placer County, click here.
~ Placer County press release
Business Briefs
Palisades Tahoe Junior Athletes Competing One Level Below the World Cup
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Palisades Tahoe is the home to many decorated Olympic and world-class athletes. Team Palisades Tahoe’s program covers everything from free-skiing to alpine disciplines and this year, two race athletes are churning up a lot of excitement. Truckee natives David Morken and Allison Mollin are competing at elite levels and are currently spending time in the National Projects (US Ski Team training camps) as invitees. They both compete with top athletes currently named to the U.S. Ski Team.
Mollin is one of the best up-and-coming junior racers in the downhill event. This season, she earned second place at the U.S. Nationals downhill at Copper Mountain in November, while last year she won the U18 Nationals downhill. The top two racers in the overall North American Cup standings earn a World Cup spot for next season, and Mollin is currently ranked second. Since Allison is doing so well, the next step is to race in Europe. The Europa Cup series is the level right below the World Cup, and most Europa Cup races have many World Cup racers competing in the field. Mollin earned a top 30 spot at the Europa Cup She is the best-ranked competitor of her age in the U.S.
Morken has been skiing with team Palisades Tahoe from a very young age, starting as a Mighty Mite. Morken was recently invited to a U.S. Team Development Group camp in Italy, which is a course for those on the cusp of qualifying for the U.S. team. The European technical events are always extremely competitive, and while at the camp, Morken won a race in Italy. He is ranked within the top 10 in the world for his age.
~ Palisades Tahoe press release
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