JMA Ventures Settles Lawsuit Against Homewood Resort HOMEWOOD
JMA Ventures last month settled the lawsuit that was brought against its Homewood Master Plan by Earth Justice last year on behalf of Friends of the West Shore and the Tahoe Area Sierra Club. The settlement clears the way for the redevelopment of the ski resort to proceed.
“We were disappointed when the lawsuit was filed in the first place; the project has received numerous awards … but we were happy to sit down with the plaintiffs and explain it. It was very helpful,” said Art Chapman, president and chairman of JMA. “We are glad the lawsuit is behind us and we hope now we can focus on starting to build it.”
As part of the settlement agreement, JMA will reduce the number of residential units by 13 (out of 235) but retain the total square footage. The company also agreed to conduct additional traffic monitoring for up to 20 years after the completion of the project, and retire 44,000 square feet of coverage on the mountain. JMA also confirmed its promise not to develop on the mountain, according to Chapman.
JMA Ventures was recently honored with the 2013 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for its work on watershed management at Homewood Mountain Resort. “A Watershed Management Guidebook” has been created based on the work at Homewood, providing tools and identifying best practices for other Lake Tahoe-area land managers and ski industry operators.
JMA hopes to break ground on the Homewood project in spring 2015. ~ Melissa Siig/Moonshine Ink
Part of Lighthouse Mall to Close for One Year for Remodel TAHOE CITY
Seven businesses at the Lighthouse Mall in Tahoe City will have to move out by May while the mall’s owner, Austin, Texas-based Schlosser Development Corporation, remodels the front half of the building. The mall, which is at least half-a-century old, is in need of major repairs and upgrades.
“The heating and the air conditioning on the roof is obsolete, and the large majority is not working,” said Paul Gaddis, project manager for Schlosser. “The building either needs to be renovated or torn down and rebuilt.”
The electrical system is also outdated and there are numerous roof leaks, as well as problems with the plumbing. Schlosser plans to make the building ADA compliant by regrading the walkway, and the facility will receive new paint and roofing.
With three spaces vacant (McDonald’s, the laundromat, and Chinese Cuisine), Schlosser felt it was a good time to remodel.
“It’s been such an important part of the community for so long,” Gaddis said. “It’s time now that we have vacancies; we can’t put it off any longer.”
All the tenants will be invited back after the project is completed in about one year, but will most likely see higher rents.
“The rents will probably go up. Frankly, that is part of the reason why the building is in the shape that it is,” Gaddis said. “The previous owner didn’t put the money back into it.”
Safeway, the U.S. Post Office, Asanté Fitness, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate will remain unaffected by the remodel. ~ Melissa Siig/Moonshine Ink
Proposed Nov. 2014 Ballot Measure to Raise Supervisor Salary PLACER COUNTY
The Placer County Charter Review Committee unanimously recommended that, since the position of a Placer County Supervisor requires the time commitment commensurate with a full-time position, the salary cap of $30,000 per year be raised to equal that of comparable counties to include an annual cost-of-living adjustment. The committee is considering three options: 1) A Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI adjustment to board members’ base pay to adjust for inflation over the past 22 years since the $30,000 salary was established, resulting in a 2014 salary of $49,813; 2) A formulaic adjustment based on a weighted average of other Placer County elected officials estimated to be a fixed percentage of the average salary of $175,803 in 2014; 3) A formulaic adjustment equivalent to the average board member salary in the Sacramento region estimated at $63,272 in 2014; or an adjustment equivalent to the average board member salary in other similarly situated California counties estimated at $101,600 in 2014.
Any proposed changes or additions to the supervisors’ salary must be submitted to voters. Any materials associated with developing a potential ballot measure for November are due to the Office of Elections by July 2. Info: placerelections.com
TCPUD to Discuss Ownership of Tahoe Community Center TAHOE CITY
The Tahoe City Public Utility District will discuss the ownership of the Tahoe Community Center at a board meeting on Friday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.
TCPUD has operated and maintained the Tahoe Community Center building, which houses North Tahoe Arts, on behalf of the community for over 40 years. Recently, Placer County asserted that it owns the Tahoe Community Center. In order to clarify all ownership and operational issues, TCPUD is considering a transfer of the Tahoe Community Center by quitclaim (releasing legal claim) deed to the county.
Prior to moving forward, the TCPUD Board wants to make sure the community is aware of the ownership and maintenance issues for the Tahoe Community Center and give the public a chance to ask questions and share any feedback they may have.
Diamond Peak Considering Summer Activities in Master Plan INCLINE VILLAGE
Diamond Peak Ski Resort, owned by the Incline Village General Improvement District, is moving forward with its Master Plan Update process to revisit the potential for the future development of the ski area as a year-round community recreational resource.
The Master Plan explores opportunities for maximizing the existing winter business while assessing the potential for new summer activities that will generate additional revenue. The Master Plan will serve as a blueprint for future development of multi-season activities at Diamond Peak. Info: masterplan@diamondpeak.com, diamondpeak.com/about/master-plan-update-process
Lassen County Rescinds Dyer Mountain Development Approvals SUSANVILLE
In a unanimous vote on Jan. 21, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors rescinded its 2007 approvals and erased entitlements for more than 4,000 new houses planned for remote Dyer Mountain, marking the end of a 15-year fight to defend Dyer from development.
Dyer Mountain Associates filed its original development proposal in 1999 and locked in favorable zoning with a 2000 citizens initiative. The project would have more than doubled the entire existing population of Lassen County. In 2013, the property was purchased by Sierra Pacific Industries, which quickly made it clear it had no intention to pursue development of the property. In September, Sierra Pacific sent a letter asking Lassen County to rescind the 2007 development approvals.
“In Martis Valley, on Donner Summit, and now on Dyer Mountain, the message is clear: no development is inevitable,” said Peter Van Zant, field director for Nevada City-based Sierra Watch.
Sales Tax Measure to Fund Trails Approved for June Ballot TRUCKEE
The Truckee Town Council unanimously approved on Jan. 28 a quarter cent sales tax ballot measure to fund the construction and maintenance of trails within the Town of Truckee. The measure, if passed, would bring in approximately $1 million annually over a 10-year period, and is set to be on the June 3 primary ballot. The measure must garner a two-thirds majority vote to pass. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Public Workshop on Joerger Ranch to Be Held Feb. 18 TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee is preparing the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Joerger Ranch Specific Plan (also known as Planned Community-3), anticipated to be available for public review later this month or early March. The Planning Commission will review the Draft Specific Plan in a workshop at its regular meeting on Feb. 18. This is not a meeting to make any final decisions, but to review the draft plan with new planning commissioners and to allow for discussion of the major aspects of the plan. There will be an opportunity for public comment, as well as presentations from the project proponent and staff.
The plan area is located at the four corners of Highway 276, Brockway Road, and Soaring Way intersection, and encompasses approximately 67 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Included in the plan is zoning for a variety of land uses including commercial/retail, office, industrial, residential, and open space.
Planning Commission to Consider Tahoe Donner’s New Ski Center TRUCKEE
Tahoe Donner’s proposed new cross-country ski center will be considered by Truckee’s Planning Commission in a special hearing on March 4 at 6 p.m. The Tahoe Donner Association is requesting approval of a development permit, use permit, and minor use permit to make improvements to its existing Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski and Equestrian centers. Tahoe Donner is proposing demolition of the existing building and construction of a new 10,220 square foot cross-country ski center, estimated to cost approximately $6 million. In addition, the on-site parking areas will be reconstructed. The center will continue to be a public facility for the greater Truckee community, provide a training hub for school ski teams and season-long youth and adult programs in the winter, plus a family-friendly equestrian and mountain biking center in the summer. Construction is slated to begin in May. Info: Jenna Endres, jendres@townoftruckee.com, (530) 582-2922, tahoedonner.com/major-projects ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Truckee Watershed Council Discusses Watershed Restoration TRUCKEE
The Truckee River Watershed Council hosted a presentation on the Truckee Wetlands Assessment and Restoration on Jan. 28. Speakers Jeannette Halderman and Michele Prestowitz of TRWC and David Shaw of Balance Hydrologics gave an update on the wetlands project. The area is a fragmented wetland complex starting at Hilltop, interrupted by Old Brockway Road and Estates Drive, re-starting near Martis Valley Estates, and eventually connecting to the Truckee River. The wetlands are not fully functioning, but can be reconnected to provide water quality and habitat benefits, improving a community resource while maintaining current use.
The restoration’s objectives include improving hydrology of the meadow, reducing the force of peak flows, expanding the meadow and riparian habitat areas, reducing erosion and sedimentation, and creating recreation and educational opportunities. Design of the plan will occur this year and next, with phased implementation beginning in 2015 through 2018. More public meetings on the project will be held in the spring. Info: truckeeriverwc.org ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Tahoe/Truckee Earns National Award for Early Reading Program TRUCKEE AND NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Tahoe/Truckee’s campaign to improve reading proficiency among its youngest students has been recognized as a 2013 Community Pacesetter by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Tahoe/Truckee is one of 37 Pacesetters named for 2013.
Tahoe/Truckee launched its Tahoe Truckee Reads initiative in the summer of 2012, making it one of the 140 communities working with the GLR Campaign, a nationwide movement of local leaders, states, nonprofits, and foundations putting a stake in the ground on third-grade reading. Several new programs and strategies have been put into place over the past year, including the launch of TTUSD’s Kinder Camp, a school readiness summer program for all incoming kindergarten students, and Summer Scholars, a program for first and second grade students who need additional support in reading.
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