Dear Friends:

As we start another year, we see an unfortunate trend continue - that of more large developments being approved and more plan revisions aiming to bring in more people without adequate consideration of the impacts to emergency access and evacuations. Sadly, once again wildfires have been raging in California, showing the ferocity and quickness with which flames can spread when pushed by strong winds coupled with the impacts of climate change.

Further, traffic-related impediments to emergency access aren’t just confined to wildfire season.

In addition to the public safety impacts, packing in more people and cars also comes with environmental consequences that cannot be mitigated away.

The public must remain diligent in demanding that our land use agencies protect both public health and safety and Tahoe’s fragile environment.

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,

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. Certification of the Administrative Record is expected this month. The next step will be to set a briefing schedule (likely late winter/spring) and hearing date (early/mid summer).

TRPA Housing Amendments

The TRPA will be bringing forward “Phase 3 Amendments” that aim to improve housing in the Region. The Tahoe Living Working Group met on Dec. 9, 2024 to discuss preliminary policy decisions. While FOWS supports actions to improve affordable housing, we remain concerned that these ongoing policy changes continue to ignore - and thus fail to plan for - the impacts of density and population with regards to emergency evacuations. In the 16-page draft meeting minutes, there was not one mention about needing to address the reality of evacuations and public safety; rather, discussions centered around how to pack the Basin with more people. There was also only minor discussion of environmental considerations.

In November, TRPA’s Advisory Planning Commission held a hearing on changes proposed by TRPA staff that would make it easier for local governments to increase height and density under the guise of improving housing for residents. The Mountain Area Preservation (MAP) submitted this comment letter, explaining why the proposal could actually have the opposite effect and further exacerbate concerns about public safety and emergency evacuation. The proposal was scheduled for a vote by TRPA’s Governing Board on Dec. 18 however did not end up on the agenda for that meeting.

Homewood Mountain Resort (HMR)

On 12/11 the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission (APC) passed a recommendation that the Governing Board (GB) approve the Master Plan amendment with conditions to require further public access clarification (view meeting materials here). The next step will be a hearing before the GB on 1/22/2025 where the Board is expected to vote on the amendment. You can access the GB meeting documents here and Community Access Plan here.

The community group Keep Homewood Public has continued to raise questions and propose revisions regarding guarantees for future local capacity and affordable access. All documents and information about the application process are on TRPA’s Homewood Mountain Resort information page.

FOWS encourages you to submit comments and/or attend the meeting (in person or virtually). The agenda and Zoom link are posted here.

Meeks Bay Resort Restoration Project

According to the project website: “The USFS anticipates implementation of the restoration project in 2027. The California Department of Transportation is preparing design and an environmental analysis of the State Route 89 Bridge replacement, which is planned for construction in 2026.”

8305 & 8307 Meeks Bay Ave. Development/Vacation Rentals

The projects are still undergoing design review and alteration and have not been taken before the TRPA Hearings Officer for a second hearing. There are no other updates at this time. For those interested in these projects; please contact Dana Schneider for more information.

US Forest Service Electric-bikes and Trails Proposal

The USFS has reached out to those who filed Objections to the proposed project (including FOWS) to schedule a virtual meeting on 1/31.

Other updates

Tahoe/El Dorado Area Plan (“TED”):

There are no new updates. Agency coordinators have stated that a new survey will be posted to the TED website soon as they move into Phase 2, which includes: “developing the draft document plan, holding additional community workshops, and making revisions to the draft plan.”

Palisades Tahoe:

After the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the project – which is essentially the same massive project approved in 2016 and later overturned by the courts – Sierra Watch and the League to Save Lake Tahoe filed a lawsuit in early December.