News Briefs
Board to Hear Remaining Items for Village at Palisades Dec. 10
AUBURN
Following approval of the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan at its Nov. 19 meeting, the Placer County Board of Supervisors will hear a pair of items related to that plan at its Dec. 10 meeting in Auburn.
The meeting will be held at the Placer County Administrative Center (175 Fulweiler Ave. in Auburn) starting at 9 a.m. and is expected to be live-streamed on YouTube. The meeting agenda will be published here at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
The current requests seek approval of a vesting large-lot tentative subdivision map to create a total of 46 lots. If approved, the lots created by the map would carry no development rights and are for financing purposes only.
Additionally, the request includes an exception to the state minimum fire safe regulations (Cal. Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 1270-1276.05). State regulations require that dead-end roads where development is to be constructed shall not exceed a cumulative length of 5,280 feet. An exception is requested to the same, which can be granted by the county on a case-by-case basis if the project provides alternatives that mitigate wildfire risk and provide the same practical effect towards providing defensible space.
~ Placer County press release
North Tahoe Business Association to Continue Work Amid Financial Challenges
KINGS BEACH
After an extensive investigation into the alleged financial misconduct of the former executive director of the nonprofit North Tahoe Business Association (NTBA), the organization’s membership and volunteer board of directors have indicated that they want the organization’s mission and work to continue. Business community members and members of the board have formed a task force to develop a path forward, including addressing the debt that exists.
A financial investigation was initiated in May 2024 by the NTBA Board when several vendors raised concerns about the lack of payment for services provided. Upon a more detailed review of the NTBA’s financial operations, the organization’s executive director was terminated. On Oct. 8, an official case was filed against Alyssa Reilly, the previous NTBA executive director, for embezzlement and attempting to pass a fictitious check. An arrest warrant was issued for these felony level charges.
Since 1979, the NTBA has been focused on improving the economic vitality and quality of life in the North Lake Tahoe communities of Carnelian Bay, Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach, and Crystal Bay.
~ North Tahoe Business Association press release
Tiny Homes Public Hearing Rescheduled for January 2025
NEVADA CITY
The public hearing for Nevada County’s Proposed Tiny Homes on Wheels Ordinance has been canceled and tentatively rescheduled for Jan. 14, 2025.
The proposed ordinance would allow permitting of tiny homes on wheels on private property in unincorporated Nevada County. The goal is to provide another tool for affordable housing options for residents and help address the housing crisis in the county.
Public comments on the proposed ordinance will continue to be accepted through the rescheduled board of supervisors process. Written public comments can be submitted to Principal Planner Tyler Barrington at tyler.barrington@nevadacountyca.gov or mailed to his attention at 950 Maidu Ave., Ste. 170, Nevada City, 95959. All public comments already received will be included in the public record for supervisors to consider.
For more information about the proposed ordinance, visit nevadacountyca.gov/planningprojects.
~ Nevada County press release
Study: Truckee/Grass Valley Parents Pay $25K Per Year To Support a Child
NEVADA COUNTY
Upgraded Points’ newly released data study looking at the most expensive U.S. locations for raising kids, with data specific to Truckee/Grass Valley.
Researchers calculated the percentage difference in the required living costs to maintain a modest but adequate standard of living for 2-adult households with children compared to 2-adult households without children, across 385 metropolitan areas and all 50 states.
Below are some highlights from the report’s findings. The full study also includes a detailed methodology, as well as several interactive charts and tables.
Key Takeaways, With Data for Truckee/Grass Valley
- Children significantly increase household expenses: At the national level, having 1 child increases household costs by 40.4% annually on average, while having 2 children raises costs by 70.3%.
- Cost is a major deterrent: According to a recent Pew Research survey, 36% of adults aged 18 to 49 who do not have children cited affordability as a top reason for their decision.
- The cost of raising a child in the Truckee-Grass Valley metro: For a 2-adult household in the Truckee/Grass Valley metro area with no children, the average annual cost of maintaining a modest but adequate standard of living is $62,232. Adding 1 child brings that figure up to $87,552 — an increase of 40.7%.
- Expenses for 2-child households: Families in the Truckee/Grass Valley metro with 2 children see a total of $106,836 in average annual living costs, 71.7% higher than households without kids.
You can read the full study here, including all sources: upgradedpoints.com/news/most-expensive-cities-to-raise-kids
~ Upgraded Points press release
Help Unlock $15,000 in Matching Funds For TNSAR’s New Transport Van
TAHOE CITY
With winter just around the corner, more people will be heading into Tahoe’s extensive backcountry wilderness to recreate. Too often, individuals get lost or injured in areas not readily accessible by law enforcement or medical personnel. A new transport van would ensure faster, safer rescue missions in the backcountry. To help with this effort, the Tahoe Fund is offering a $15,000 match to help Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue (TNSAR) purchase a new multi-passenger transport van.
Since its start in 1976, TNSAR has been part of hundreds of search missions, with an unmatched success rate for finding lost people in the outdoors. Last year, the team was called out for 31 search days in the greater Tahoe Basin and beyond. The team is made up entirely of volunteers who give their time to keep community members safe.
“I have often thought people use the term hero lightly,” wrote a community member to TNSAR after a successful rescue last winter. “You are true heroes in our minds and we are here today because of your commitment, strength, talent, and grit.”
A new transport van will improve the safety of their team and help them do their work more quickly and effectively. It will also reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, especially during busy, snowy, and dangerous weather.
All donations will be doubled until the funding goal of $30,000 is reached. Give today at tahoefund.org/searchandrescue.
~ Tahoe Fund, TNSAR press release
Community Members Invited to Help Shape Future of North Tahoe
TAHOE CITY
Placer County is inviting the public and regional stakeholders to Discover and Discuss: Projects and Programs Shaping the Future of North Lake Tahoe on Dec. 5 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Granlibakken Resort (725 Granlibakken Rd.) in Tahoe City.
Community members are invited to join county staff and community partners at this open-house style event to learn more and provide feedback about impactful projects and programs in the region aimed at supporting a healthy and vibrant community.
Attendees will be able to talk with project experts about the county’s snow removal operations, upcoming infrastructure projects aimed at improving traffic, policy and program updates to enhance workforce housing opportunities, as well as local trash, recycling and green waste programs, and more.
District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson will be in attendance and will host a table to meet with residents and answer questions. Placer County will also host a booth highlighting its new Engage Placer community website, which highlights a handful of projects and programs in North Lake Tahoe that are open for public input.
Food and beverages will be provided and Spanish interpretation will be available. A coloring station will be set up for children to ensure families can attend.
Registration is not required for event attendees and residents are welcome to come at any point throughout the evening.
For more information, visit placer.ca.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=43550.
~ Placer County press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
TTUSD Hires Former Plumas Superintendent
TRUCKEE
Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) took on former Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) superintendent William Roderick after his resignation from PUSD. According to coordinator of district communications Amber Burke, Roderick was hired as a substitute administrator for Truckee High School on Oct. 11 and has since been an at-will, on-call administrative substitute. PUSD placed him on administrative leave on Sept. 11 before he resigned effective Oct. 1. Roderick worked at PUSD for a little over 2 years. The school district is unable to discuss his resignation and the position has yet to be filled.
Shortly after being placed on administrative leave at PUSD, Roderick assisted with supervising a Truckee High football game on Sept. 13. His wife, Shaun Roderick, is TTUSD’s assistant superintendent. According to TTUSD Board Policy, the appointment of a person to a position their relative manages or supervises is prohibited.
Shaun Roderick was promoted to assistant superintendent on June 26.
~ MR
Business Briefs
New American Bistro Opens
TAHOE CITY
Sylva, a New American bistro, opened in Tahoe City on Nov. 29. The restaurant is the vision of chef and Tahoe City native Andrew Shimer. Sylva is open Thursday through Monday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and serves family-style small plates for sharing. Shimer said he and his wife Chata opened Sylva because it’s the kind of place they would want to go to weekly. They want to cater to all people and all occasions.
“I am labeled as a fine dining chef and it’s a stigma that I kind of want to get away from. Yes, I’m going to have fun and exciting food, but we’re not doing white tablecloths,” Shimer said. “We wanted to leave the pretentiousness out so that we can pass the savings onto customers.”
Shimer discovered his love for cooking while working in a kitchen by night and snowboarding by day. Prior to opening Sylva with his wife, Shimer was Christy Hill’s executive chef. Sylva’s dishes bring together cultures in an eclectic blend of flavors. The menu rotates based on fresh, regional ingredients. Shimer said he wants to push the envelope, cook interactive and approachable food, and create unique flavors from scratch that can’t be found elsewhere.
“I feel like this restaurant concept was much needed for our community. There’s a lot of younger, very food savvy and wine savvy people in our area now,” Shimer said. “I think that our community is definitely ready for something a little more interesting and hip, modern, and adventurous.”
Learn more about Sylva at sylvatahoe.com.
~ MR
33rd Annual High Sierra Music Festival
QUINCY
High Sierra Music Festival announced its return for a monumental 33rd year July 3 through 6, 2025. The 4-day camping and music festival experience will take place in its long-standing home of 25 years at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds in Quincy.
The High Sierra Music Festival has weathered numerous obstacles, from a pandemic, to changing industry dynamics, to recent inflation, to the death of its founder and talent buyer Roy Carter earlier this year. Co-producer David “Dave” Margulies now steps into the role of producer and curator of the event.
Known for its vibrant, eclectic blend of music, steeped in post Grateful Dead jam bands, bluegrass, funk, Americana, singer-songwriters, international music, and more, High Sierra also features daily parades, a family village, professional child care services, wine and beer tastings, one-of-kind artist tributes and collaborations, acoustic troubadour in-the-round sessions, inspired patron created theme camps, yoga, late night/early morning kickball, a community swimming pool, handmade crafts, delicious and nutritious food and easy access to the rivers, trails, and beauty of the scenic Feather River Canyon.
High Sierra, with an anticipated attendance of less than 10,000, remains the ultimate intimate music festival experience.
Learn more at highsierramusic.com.
~ High Sierra Music Festival press release
Tahoe Modern, Tahoe Mountain Realty Team Up for Two Trend-Setting Events
TRUCKEE
Local interior design firm and furnishings showroom Tahoe Modern is teaming up with Tahoe Mountain Realty to host two seasonal “Designers’ Favorite Things” gatherings. These curated events will take place on Dec. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m and Feb. 20, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m at the Village at Gray’s Crossing. Each event is free and will include a slide show of local resources, an array of the designer’s favorite go-to products, as well as design tips and tricks from Tahoe Modern’s skilled design team. Folks will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with the designers and ask questions.
“It’s been really interesting to see how interior design has evolved in just a few years from a light and bright look to a shift towards dark and moody,” says Tahoe Modern co-founder Megan Bristol. “These events are intended to be a fun excuse to get together and talk about some of our favorite things that we’re seeing in the industry, and of course enjoy a few nibbles and libations.”
Tahoe Modern has created a series of turn-key design packages for each of the four different residence layouts available at The Village at Gray’s Crossing. Tahoe Mountain Realty is proud to be offering these units for purchase to discerning buyers. Visit this link to view the carefully selected furnishings and art and how each piece can fit within the layout of these already built spaces.
~ Tahoe Modern press release
