Kings Beach Domus Housing Project Wins National Award
KINGS BEACH
Domus Development’s Kings Beach Housing Now, a sustainable, workforce housing project consisting of nine buildings on five sites, in May received the Housing and Urban Development Department’s Secretary’s Award for Community-Informed Design. The award recognizes design that supports physical communities as they rebuild social structures and relationships that may have been weakened by outmigration, disinvestment, and the isolation of inner-city areas.
The Kings Beach Housing Now development team conducted the first Housing Needs Assessment in Kings Beach, helping to identify the community’s demand for affordable housing, and held over 30 bilingual community meetings about the project’s planning and design. The resulting development provides 77 energy-efficient, affordable apartments for low-income workers and families who previously lived in substandard converted motel rooms, cabins, and trailers.
TTUSD Schools Receive California Department Of Education Honors
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Four of Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s schools were recognized for excellence by the California Department of Education in May. Glenshire Elementary and Tahoe Lake Elementary schools were among 424 schools (7 percent of elementary schools in the state)designated as a California Distinguished School, while North Tahoe High School was one of 106 schools identified as a Title I High Achieving School and the only school in Placer County to receive the honor. Sierra Continuation High School was named one of 24 Model Continuation High Schools in the state, an honor they have received continuously since 2000.
Sierra Club Appeals TRPA Regional Plan Update Ruling
TAHOE BASIN
On behalf of the Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore, Earthjustice filed an appeal in May with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decision upholding the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s 2012 Regional Plan.
In April, U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez ruled in favor of the TRPA after Earthjustice’s lawsuit was filed in February 2013. The TRPA said that it will continue to implement the plan.
Earthjustice claims that the update’s environmental impact statement failed to analyze negative impacts on soil conservation, water quality, and air quality, and that the TRPA made erroneous findings that the plan would protect Lake Tahoe’s environment.
Measure R Easily Passes
TRUCKEE
On June 3, Truckee voters easily passed Measure R by 74.9 percent. The sales tax measure, which only needed a two-thirds majority to pass, will bring in approximately $1 million annually over a 10-year period to fund the construction and maintenance of trails within the Town of Truckee. Nevada County Elections reported that 1,367 people voted in favor of the quarter cent sales tax increase, while 456 people voted against it. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Newell Continues as County District Attorney
NEVADA COUNTY
Nevada County voters kept Cliff Newell as district attorney in a hotly-contested race against challenger David Alkire. Newell garnered 55.34 percent, while Alkire received 44.66 percent of the vote. Nevada County Elections reported that 8,585 voted for Newell, while 6,927 casted their vote for Alkire. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Tahoe Donner Cross Country Center Approved
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Planning Commission on May 20 approved Tahoe Donner’s new cross-country ski center. The Tahoe Donner Association plans to construct a new 10,200 square foot cross-country ski center, estimated to cost approximately $4.5 million. The association submitted demolition permits to the town for the existing cross-country building, and hopes to begin construction this summer. The building should be “substantially complete” by late winter, with a grand opening slated during cross-country season, according to Forrest Huisman, Tahoe Donner’s director of capital projects. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Draft Tahoe Basin Community Plan Ready for Public Comment
NORTH SHORE
Placer County released the draft Tahoe Basin Community Plan Policy Document in May for a 45-day review period. The county will accept public comment on the document through Mon., June 23. Comments can be sent to the Planning Services Division at nhagamie@placer.ca.gov.
The Tahoe Basin Community Plan Policy Document provides direction on future land use decisions for the Placer County Tahoe Basin Area, and articulates a vision of what the area aspires to be. It provides an overview of current conditions and is the over-arching policy document that addresses land use and natural resource policy for the entire portion of Placer County within the Tahoe Basin. As a policy document, it provides for the legal basis for all zoning, subdivision, and related land use actions within the Tahoe Basin portion of Placer County. Info: placer.ca.gov/departments/communitydevelopment/planning/tahoebasincpupdate
Grocery Outlet Moving Ahead
TRUCKEE
The Grocery Outlet project, also known as Truckee Commons, is moving forward, according to Truckee Associate Planner Jenna Endres. The grocery chain is requesting a development permit to construct a 17,000 square foot commercial building on a property located at the Brockway Road/Palisades Drive intersection. A smaller building is also proposed on the Brockway Road frontage for use as retail commercial space. The developer resubmitted revised plans in May, and the project is currently undergoing environmental review. The project must also be heard by the town’s historic design review committee. The planning commission will vote on the project in August or September, Endres said. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Planning Commission to Hear Coldstream Project
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Planning Commission will review the Coldstream Specific Plan (PC-1) on June 17 to make recommendations to the town council. The 300-unit development project includes an infill and mixed-use development on the west end of Truckee, east of the Donner Memorial State Park. The planning commission will consider whether or not the development should connect to Deerfield Drive or dead end. The town council is anticipated to hear the project in a month or two following the commission’s review. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Miniature Railroad to Debut in August
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Donner Railroad Society is building a 700-foot oval track for use as a miniature railroad at the Truckee River Regional Park. Set to open in August, the railroad will operate two weekend days a month free to the public, and be available for private parties for a fee, according to Bob Bell, vice president of the railroad society. The first phase costs $18,000 and is funded by grants, private contributions, and in-kind donations, Bell said. The second phase will include expanding the track by 1,000 feet. The railroad, which will be housed behind the baseball fields and skate park, will be used for history and safety education. Info: Bob Bell, (530) 582-0726, bellbob@sbcglobal.net ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Town Starts Mandatory Watercraft Inspections at Donner Lake
TRUCKEE
Watercraft inspections began at Donner Lake Public Boat Launch May 16, and will be conducted seven days a week. In January, the Town of Truckee passed an ordinance requiring mandatory inspections on all motorized and/or trailered watercraft and other watercraft having water ballast tanks prior to launching into Donner Lake. After successful inspection, the watercraft owner/operator must purchase a program sticker that allows them to launch without an inspection for the remainder of the month. In order to obtain a Donner Only sticker, boaters are required to sign an affidavit stating that the watercraft will only be launched in Donner Lake for the entire summer season. Info: townoftruckee.com
Sand Harbor Summer Shuttle Service Starts Third Season
EAST SHORE
Tahoe Transportation District’s East Shore Express, a park-and-ride bus from Incline Village to Sand Harbor, will continue summer operations for a third consecutive year thanks to a federal grant and Lake Tahoe License Plate funds.
The goal of the bus service is to address traffic congestion and promote safety along the Highway 28 corridor while reducing environmental impacts.
Buses operate from the old Incline Village Elementary School to Sand Harbor from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., running every 20 minutes, May 31 to June 29 (weekends only). Daily operations begin Monday, June 30 and conclude Monday, Sept. 1.
Roundtrip fare is $3 per person and $1.50 for children 12 and under, seniors and disabled passengers. Fares include admission to Sand Harbor.
In its 2012 inaugural season, the East Shore Express shuttled 12,155 passengers between June and Labor Day. In 2013, there was a 15 percent increase with 13,981 riders. Info: eastshoreexpress.org, (775) 589-5500
