TRPA Approves Basin Area Plan, Tahoe City Lodge Project
STATELINE
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board unanimously approved Placer County’s Tahoe Basin Area Plan and the Tahoe City Lodge Project on Jan. 25. The Tahoe Basin Area Plan includes targeted measures to restore environmentally sensitive areas, reduce stormwater pollution, revitalize the economy, and create more walkable and bikeable communities. It covers 72 square miles of Placer County in the Tahoe Basin and creates several new programs. To help address Lake Tahoe’s affordable housing crisis, the area plan allows property owners to build secondary dwelling units, or “mother-in-law units,” regardless of the lot size, providing greater housing options. Such new units must be deed-restricted affordable housing and cannot be used as vacation rentals. The 118-unit Tahoe City Lodge Project will redevelop a building at the Tahoe City Golf Course into a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) hotel with a mix of hotel rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites, a ground floor restaurant, a rooftop pool and bar, conference facilities, a new clubhouse for the golf course, and parking lot charging stations for zero-emission electric vehicles.
Tahoe RCD Records Largest Stormwater Flows at Monitoring Sites
LAKE TAHOE
During January’s large storm event the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (RCD) Stormwater Monitoring Program measured the highest flows ever recorded at all eight monitoring locations since observation began in 2013. The Tahoe Valley site, located off Tahoe Keys Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, measured 1.5 million cubic feet of flow in the January storm alone, nearly 90 percent of the flow observed throughout the whole 2016 water year. The Tahoe RCD monitors urban stormwater runoff around the Lake Tahoe Basin, providing the science that helps guide stormwater managers in environmental improvement project design and informs them if projects and management strategies have been successful in reducing pollutant loading to Lake Tahoe. This last storm produced over 18 million gallons of runoff just from the sites the RCD monitors.
Tahoe Keys Applies for Herbicide Trial
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
As part of ongoing efforts to evaluate and use numerous tools to fight aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys, the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association has applied for a permit for a small-scale demonstration of aquatic herbicides in 2018. If the herbicide demonstration is permitted, the association would apply low levels of three herbicides (Endothall, Triclopyr, and Penoxsulam) found effective on the same plants in other regions at nine test sites in 2018. Herbicides are one of nine invasive plant-fighting methods being studied in the Keys. Current methods being evaluated include: improvements to harvesting and fragment collection, scuba-assisted dredging, bottom barrier mats, cultural controls (lake- and lagoon-friendly landscaping, water quality BMPs), rotovating and weed rolling, and biological controls, which are all in various stages of evaluation or implementation. Info: keysweedmanagement.org
Sierra Watch Files Second Suit to Overturn Squaw Valley Development Approvals
PLACER COUNTY
Sierra Watch filed a second lawsuit Dec. 15 asking the courts to overturn Placer County’s approval of KSL Capital Partners’ development proposals for Squaw Valley. The lawsuit centers around how Placer County addressed development impacts on Lake Tahoe and its famous clarity. The lawsuit follows up on Sierra Watch’s Dec. 5 letter asking Placer County to “cure or correct” a series of Brown Act violations related to a last minute agreement between the developer and the California Attorney General’s office. This is the second legal action taken by Sierra Watch against Placer County. Sierra Watch’s initial brief, technically a “Petition for Writ of Mandate and Complaint for Injunctive Relief,” lists numerous ways in which Placer County’s approval ran afoul of the California Environmental Quality Act.
“Be Mountain Wise” Campaign Educates North Lake Skiers
PLACER COUNTY
In partnership with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, a group of North Lake Resorts — Homewood Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Sugar Bowl Resort — have collaborated over the last six months on a campaign designed to educate skiers and snowboarders about the importance of making smart choices and avoiding behavior that is against the law in Placer County. The goal of the campaign, dubbed Be Mountain Wise, is to inform those who are unaware of the potential consequences of ignoring resort boundary lines and closed areas, or sharing their lift ticket or season pass. The campaign elements and messaging were developed so that each resort can use them independently and at their discretion. Materials include print collateral that may be distributed in resort ticket offices or used as resort signage, as well as videos that can be used on resort websites, social media channels, or in-resort TVs.
Good Morning Truckee Housing Challenge Special Rescheduled for Feb. 14
TRUCKEE
On Feb. 14, Good Morning Truckee will focus on the housing challenge with an update from Stacy Caldwell of The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) on the regional housing study; Ulrik Binzer of Host Compliance, who is working with the Town on its Transit Occupancy Tax compliance on short term rentals; and Hirsh Jain of Airbnb. Caldwell will share highlights of the regional housing study and its value in tackling this challenge, Binzer will talk about Host Compliance, what they do, what they have discovered in Truckee, and compare it to other communities they are working with, and Jain will provide an overview of what Airbnb does, the growth in the company and industry, Airbnb’s role in the growing shared economy, actions they are taking in communities that are concerned about the impact short term rentals are having on housing availability, and where the industry and Airbnb are headed.
Placer County and Truckee Ask Residents to Mitigate Snow Risk Between Storms
PLACER COUNTY
In cooperation with local fire districts, Placer County issued an emergency alert to warn residents of the risk and urge quick action to remove snow from tanks, gas lines and regulators. In 2011, when similar snow loads were a concern, propane leaks in the Serene Lakes area were widespread, triggering evacuations and the disconnection of power to homes. The Town of Truckee Building Division also recommends residents use the time between storms to safely clear their roofs, and to be cognizant of the dangers associated with clearing snow from solar panels (photovoltaic systems). Always consider solar panels as being energized and remember to NEVER use metal objects or tools on or in the immediate vicinity of them.
Adopt a Fire Hydrant Near You
TRUCKEE
Help with fire safety by adopting a fire hydrant in your neighborhood. Keeping fire hydrants clear of snow, brush and grass year-round makes for safer communities. The Truckee Fire Department asks that residents remember a minimum clearance of 3 feet around the hydrant provides easier access, and clearing the hydrant and a path in front allows firefighters to work more quickly in case of an emergency. Info: Truckee Fire, (530) 582-7853 or their Facebook page
Real-Time Information on California Roads
SACRAMENTO
For the first time, iOS users can now download the free QuickMap app, which displays the user’s location on a map along with real-time information including traffic speed, road closures, California Highway Patrol incidents, chain controls, fire locations, electronic highway sign messages, and live traffic cameras. QuickMap was launched online in 2011, with an Android app released in August of last year. As a reminder, please do not use Quickmap while driving. The app is available by searching “Caltrans” in Apple’s App Store and in Android’s Google Play Store. It is also available online at quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.
Squaw Valley Municipal Advisory Council Seeks to Fill Vacant Seats
OLYMPIC VALLEY
The Squaw Valley Municipal Advisory Council is hosting applications for its vacancies. Comprised of local residents, property owners, business owners, or business managers who advise the Placer County Board of Supervisors on issues or concerns related to the community, the council is designed to provide a local public forum where land use, transportation, county policies, and general county information are shared and discussed. Interested candidates can mail their applications to: Clerk of the Board, 175 Fulweiler Ave., in Auburn, 95603.
Placer County Planning Commission Seeks to Fill Eastern County Seat
TAHOE CITY
The Placer County Planning Commission is looking to fill a vacant seat for its District 5 representative. Residents of the district, which stretches from Auburn to North Lake Tahoe who’d like to get involved in the county’s land development and zoning efforts are encouraged to apply. The planning commission is the principal advisory body to the Placer County Board of Supervisors on planning and related matters. Responsibilities of the commission include holding public hearings; making recommendations on proposed general plans, studies and zoning text amendments; reviewing and making decisions on major land development proposals; and encouraging citizen leadership and participation in the planning process. Interested candidates may complete an application and return it to the Clerk of the Board, 175 Fulweiler Ave., in Auburn, 95603.
Tahoe Forest Named One of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Health System’s Women and Family Center has been given the Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics. This award is given to hospitals that demonstrate extraordinary service in meeting the needs of women and their families, and set higher healthcare standards by appreciating the unique needs and preferences of female patients. This is the third time Tahoe Forest Hospital has been honored with the Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics, and signifies that Tahoe Forest Hospital is in the top 17 percent of 2,815 U.S. hospitals offering obstetrics.
