Court Halts Homewood Expansion
WEST SHORE
Homewood Mountain Resort’s village project was halted after a federal judge ruled that Placer County and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency improperly analyzed the feasibility of building a smaller facility. The project would have transformed the ski area into an overnight destination resort with hundreds of new condominiums and hotel rooms.
The Tahoe Area Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore, which had pushed for a smaller construction project, hailed the court ruling as a vindication of their efforts to protect the beauty and clarity of the scenic lake.
“This decision is yet another reminder that the agencies entrusted with protecting beautiful Lake Tahoe, which has already suffered so much from runaway development, must not continue to allow private gain at the lake’s expense,” said Wendy Park, an attorney with Earthjustice, the public interest law firm that represented the environmental groups.
However, Homewood owner JMA Ventures said the judge agreed with them on most points in the legal dispute, including the project’s compliance with TRPA regulations, air quality standards, and noise standards.
“The ruling centered on a few major points of dispute, and of these issues, Judge Shubb ruled in favor of JMA on the vast majority, eliminating them from further dispute,” JMA Ventures said in a prepared statement.
In a lengthy decision on Jan. 4, U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb said the developer did not provide enough evidence to back the claim that it would lose money if it reduced the size of the planned resort. He noted that the combined environmental impact report and environmental impact statement failed to consider all streams of income, including condominium and hotel revenues. “The EIR-EIS misleads the public by suggesting that [ski lift] ticket sales revenue is the only relevant factor in assessing the financial viability of Homewood…” the judge wrote. He ruled that no construction could begin until a “legally adequate” EIR-EIS that properly considered a scaled-down project had been prepared and circulated.
JMA Ventures Chairman Art Chapman said, “While we understand we will need to update a small component of the economic analysis provided to TRPA and the county, the judge’s denial of all the other issues raised by the plaintiffs provides a clear roadmap for the Homewood project to move forward … the ruling does nothing to undermine JMA’s resolve to redevelop Homewood into the charming, environmentally sensitive, viable project it has the potential to be.” Info: earthjustice.org
Appeal Filed Over Biomass Plant Permit Approval
PLACER COUNTY
A week after Placer County approved a conditional use permit and certified the environmental impact report for the proposed Cabin Creek biomass facility, the Arizona and San Francisco-based Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal against the project.
According to Brett Storey, biomass program manager for the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, the center cited four reasons for the appeal: the base line analysis of the EIR, the proposed fuel mix, forest and habitat management, and the efficiency calculations of open burning.
The board of supervisors has until March 2 to hold the appeal hearing.
Storey said he is confident the appeal will be defeated.
“We did the whole EIR in the first place to understand all the environmental issues,” he said, “and we still believe the EIR is correct.”
The biomass project will consist of a two-megawatt facility that will use woody biomass from the surrounding forestlands to create energy. The facility will use gasification technology to convert the biomass material into a synthesis gas, which will then be used as fuel for an internal combustion engine/generator that will produce electricity.
The project will include construction of an 11,000-square-foot building that will house the power generating and emissions control equipment and a one-acre fuel storage area. The proposed project will use biomass currently being removed from surrounding U.S. Forest Service, state, and private land as part of ongoing wildfire fuel reduction efforts. The proposed project will capture the renewable biomass source, and without burning it, convert the biomass to gas, which in turn will power an internal combustion engine that will turn turbines to produce electricity. Info: placer.ca.gov
Family Resource Center Has New Executive Director
PLACER COUNTY
The North Tahoe Family Resource Center Board of Directors announced the appointment of Amy Kelley as its new executive director, replacing Emilio Vaca, who left the position in September after more than four years. As a consultant to the Placer Children’s Health Initiative, Kelley has identified programs, acquired and managed funding, and provided training to five community-based organizations in Placer County around multiple health and nutrition programs. Earlier experience includes a year as service integration consultant at Project MANA and positions with progressive responsibilities culminating in assistant executive director at the North Tahoe Family Resource Center. She represents Colusa, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yuba counties on the executive committee of the statewide California Coverage and Health Initiatives Board and is board chair of the Sacramento Regional Children’s Health Initiative Healthy Kids Healthy Futures. She also serves on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. Info: northtahoefrc.org
Basin Transportation Plan Approval Promises Emission Reduction
REGIONAL
Mobility 2035, the Lake Tahoe Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy, was approved by regional boards last month, along with the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update. Passage of the plan makes Tahoe the fourth region in the state of California to comply with new greenhouse gas emissions legislation.
Mobility 2035 seeks to reduce the environmental impact of transportation, create walkable, vibrant communities, and provide real alternatives to driving at Lake Tahoe. The plan updates the Transportation Element of the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan. It also guides the region in meeting state-mandated greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2035.
Mobility 2035 coordinates nearly $1.6 billion in projects and funding that can transform certain corridors into complete streets — a concept that improves mobility and safety for locals and visitors while delivering environmental improvements, such as stormwater infiltration.
Mobility 2035 was commended by ClimatePlan, a California environmental coalition working to support the California Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act implementation. Info: Jeff Cowen, jcowen@trpa.org, (775) 589-5278
Bike Path Open Year-Round
SQUAW VALLEY
Even with all the snow, you can still walk, jog, skate, and bike on the Squaw Valley multi-use path. Squaw Valley Public Service District is once again providing snow removal and maintenance services on the county’s trail between Squaw Creek Road and the Village.
The project is funded with a combination of funds including Transient Occupancy Tax revenue granted to the district by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and Placer County, as well as generous contributions from both the Squaw Valley Business Association and the Squaw Valley Property Owners Association. Pedestrian points of access are located along the trail as well as at either end. Info: (530) 583-4692, svpsd.org
Property Owners Mixer to Adress Development Plans
SQUAW VALLEY
The Squaw Valley Property Owners Association winter mixer will be Jan. 26 at the Olympic Village Lodge, 4 to 6 p.m. Originally scheduled for Dec. 1, the meeting was postponed due to inclement weather. Presentations about the Squaw Valley Village development will be given by District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, Placer County Planner Alex Fisch, and Chevis Hosea, vice president of development for Squaw Valley Real Estate LLC. Written comments in response to the NOP can be given to the Placer County Planning Department at the mixer.
Free to SVPOA members; $10 for non-members. All individuals, especially those who are concerned about the future of Squaw Valley, are invited to attend.
TRPA Launches Basin-wide Environmental Newspaper
REGIONAL
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, along with federal, state, and local partners, have launched a new Tahoe Basin environmental newspaper entitled Tahoe In Depth, with the inaugural issue mailed to every property owner in the Basin at the end of December.
This free publication is designed to keep Lake Tahoe homeowners, residents, and visitors abreast of the wide variety of activities taking place to protect and restore the Tahoe Basin.
Readers will find information on several new park facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin, how to environmentally landscape their properties and create defensible space around their homes, articles on Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity, the Regional Plan Update, and innovative environmental projects designed to restore and protect Lake Tahoe and its ecosystem.
Funding and contributing partners include the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Division of State Lands, and the TRPA. Members of the public can pick up a free copy of Tahoe In Depth at the following locations: Tahoe City PUD and Tahoe City Visitors Information Center in Tahoe City, Tahoe Environmental Research Center and Incline Village/Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau in Incline Village. A PDF of the publication can be downloaded at trpa.org as well as on many of the partner agencies’ websites. Info: kboosman@trpa.org, (775) 589-5230
Canyon Springs Draft EIR Released
TRUCKEE
The draft environmental impact report for the Canyon Springs subdivision project near Glenshire is available and open to public comment until March 1.
The 283-acre project proposes 185 residential lots east of Glenshire. One hundred and seventy six acres of the property would be left as open space, and more than four miles of public trails would be built by the project.
“We have completed our preliminary review, and there did not appear to be any major surprises,” said Chip Huck, part owner of the project. “During January, we are continuing our thorough review, looking forward to public comment and the continuation of an objective public review process.”
Neighborhood opposition to the project has been widespread for nearly a decade since development plans were first made for the area under the project name Tahoe Boca. In 2009, the property changed hands, which led to the current development plan.
Leigh Golden, president of neighborhood group SOS Glenshire, said because of wildlife migration corridors on the property, traffic issues, and the economic impact of adding more real estate to the Glenshire area, the Canyon Springs property is a key piece of land to preserve, not develop.
“We feel there would be huge support for this in our region,” said Golden.
The draft EIR can be viewed at townoftruckee.com. Comments on the draft EIR can be addressed to dnishimori@townoftruckee.com. A public meeting on Canyon Springs will be held at the Glenshire Clubhouse on Jan. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. The event is hosted by SOS Glenshire and Mountain Area Preservation.
New, Improved Website for Local Seniors
REGIONAL
Area 4 Agency on Aging’s newly redesigned website offers important resources to local seniors, caregivers, and adults caring for aging parents at a4aa.com.
The agency is one of Sierra Senior Services largest funders, providing 30 percent of the local nonprofit’s budget. The revamped website will help seniors connect with nearby transportation, legal, and support services.
Area 4 Agency on Aging is best known for its support of “Meals on Wheels.” Info: a4aa.com
Royal Gorge Conservation Deal Finalized
DONNER SUMMIT
Conservation groups last month announced the purchase and protection from development of the nation’s largest cross-country ski area, the 3,000-acre Royal Gorge property on Donner Summit.
The Trust for Public Land and the Truckee Donner Land Trust, working as part of the Northern Sierra Partnership, raised $11.25 million, meeting a Dec. 20 deadline. The total includes private donations along with public money.
The groups bought the property from court-appointed Receiver Douglas P. Wilson, who took over the land after a development plan that would have built a 950-unit resort on the property failed. More than 1,000 people donated to the five-month-long campaign.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation will provide bridge funding through a program-related investment to cover for the expected public funds until those funds are available over the next two years. Overall, the three groups are trying to raise $15.5 million, which will include funding for future improvements on the property.
Local residents at Serene Lakes and Sugar Bowl, both near Royal Gorge, provided most of the private money.
“It is not exaggerating to say this might be one of the most important conservation victories for the Sierra in a generation,” said Perry Norris, executive director of the Truckee Donner Land Trust. ”This is a project that eliminates an enormous development threat, provides world-class recreation, and has fantastic and truly unique natural resources.” Info: tdlandtrust.org
