Dear Friends:

We have a lot of important updates for you this time around! Topics include the following:

• Homewood Mountain Resort Master Plan Update

• Meeks Bay Resort Restoration Project - Final Environmental Documents released

• Meeks Bay Avenue - Another mega-mansion proposal

• Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City

• Ongoing plan revisions and proposals by TRPA, Placer County, and El Dorado County

• Other updates regarding the Tahoe Keys Herbicide use and El Dorado County’s proposed new Area Plan

As in previous summers, FOWS will again be making presentations at West Shore HOA meetings throughout the summer. Please contact me at jmtornese@aol.com if a FOWS Board member can speak for about 10 minutes at your HOA meeting to update your members on what's happening on the West Shore. Alternatively, we can provide a brief written update on the status of West Shore projects which can be distributed to your members at your meeting.

As always, we will keep you updated on West Shore activities and other projects in our bi-monthly newsletters. We look forward to your continued feedback and support, and encourage you to contact us with any additional ideas or questions you may have.

Sincerely,

As outlined in our previous newsletter updates, Placer County and TRPA proposed separate sets of plan amendments in 2023 that increase density, height, population, traffic, and contribute further to public safety concerns associated with emergency evacuations and access. The following information provides updates regarding the two agencies’ amendments.

Placer County Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP)

At this time, the lawsuit filed by FOWS and other organizations against Placer County’s amendments is proceeding through the next steps prescribed by California law.

FOWS has launched a fundraising campaign to help fund the costs. We sincerely appreciate the generous donations that have been coming in to date! However, we still have a way to go to reach our goal of $40,000 and we continue to seek additional donations, which are tax-deductible. * A generous supporter has stepped up with a $7,000 Matching Gift Challenge donation which will be used to double all new donations to FOWS! * Every dollar you give will be matched by the same amount to DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! We hope you will take advantage of this special offer. Click here to donate.

TRPA “Housing Amendments”

As the Mountain Area Preservation’s lawsuit against TRPA works through the process, TRPA continues to propose additional amendments to their code that they proclaim will improve affordable housing requirements. Another amendment was on the Governing Board’s April agenda, however the item was postponed. More information regarding the amendments and lawsuit can be found on MAP’s web page.

Homewood Mountain Resort (HMR)

An application for the Master Plan amendment was submitted to TRPA on Monday, May 13 (application files can be accessed here). FOWS and the Keep Homewood Public community group will review the documents. TRPA has 30 days to review the application to make sure all required items were included. Once deemed “complete” TRPA aims to process applications within 120 days. Final approval will require a hearing before TRPA’s Governing Board. According to TRPA’s website:

“The Master Plan revision process includes steps for community engagement and public input while the application is being considered. Once TRPA receives a complete application, additional information and a potential timeline will be provided on the project information page at trpa.gov…Continue to contact TRPA at homewoodplan@trpa.gov as needed and watch for emails with updates and possible opportunities for additional input.”

An in-person community meeting was held on April 17 where HMR/Discovery representatives addressed approximately 100 people in attendance, stating the resort would remain open to the public, that pricing would be “competitive with the Tahoe market” and discussing other issues around the current plans. An online community meeting was held on April 24 to reach a broader audience.

However, without an enforceable written commitment from HMR/Discovery guaranteeing that privatization will not occur in the future, there is community concern that once the resort permit is approved, there is nothing to ensure public access for the life of the ski resort. Public access and reasonable pricing needs to be defined and guaranteed in perpetuity. 

Additionally, on May 1, FOWS had a Zoom meeting with HMR/Discovery to review outstanding items.

Meeks Bay Resort Restoration Project

FOWS is pleased that the final Preferred Alternative reflects what the majority of public feedback wanted: a focus on non-motorized recreational uses, preservation of the Bay’s unique scenic beauty, and environmental restoration.

If no objections are received during the 45-day period after publication ending May 20, the project will be considered at public hearings this summer. Final TRPA hearings for the project are currently anticipated to be held on June 12 (Advisory Planning Commission) and June 26 (Governing Board). TRPA also recently reported to their Governing Board that a ‘field trip’ is planned for June 12. FOWS attended a stakeholder forum meeting held on April 18, where project leaders reported that project construction is anticipated to occur from 2026 to 2028. During this period, the resort will remain open to the public (with some partial closures for safety reasons).

8305 & 8307 Meeks Bay Ave. Development/Vacation Rentals

Boatworks Redevelopment Project

As reported in our last newsletter, in January Placer County and the TRPA released the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the “Boatworks at Lake Tahoe” Redevelopment Project (Project) in Tahoe City. FOWS submitted comments on the NOP (read here). The agencies will review comments and begin preparation of the environmental impact documents.

Placer County is now finalizing a revised scope of work to include full EIR/EIS chapters on biological resources, land use, and wildfire and are working on the alternatives to be analyzed. Once that is finalized, the EIR/EIS analysis will officially begin. Placer staff stated it generally takes around 18-24 months to prepare the EIR/EIS. Application documents to TRPA can be accessed here.

Other updates

El Dorado County new Area Plan Proposal

Please note West Shore meetings are scheduled in Tahoma on June 3 (Sluchak Park) and at the Meeks Bay Fire Station on June 4. We encourage local residents and property owners to attend one of these workshops to provide input regarding your community’s future.

Tahoe Keys Herbicide Use:

The Sierra Club recently announced victory in their lawsuit against the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board for allowing the use of herbicides in the Tahoe Keys Lagoons before all alternative options had been tested first. Read more here.