(This is it people, It looks like it will be in the afternoon.  I’lll update you with time and zoom info  If you can make to South Shore in person it would be great.)

April 23rd 2023
To:  TRPA Governing Board
From:  North Tahoe Preservation Alliance

Re: WALT/Boulder Bay Project

The North Tahoe Preservation Alliance, a 501C4 nonprofit was created in 2007 in response to the TRPA’s Community Enhancement Program (CEPP), specifically the Boulder Bay project. At that time TRPA decided that the way to enforce completion of water quality improvements (BMPs) by commercial owners was to incentivize large development projects with extra height, density and coverage. CEPP didn’t work.  It’s 12 years later and the Boulder Bay water quality improvements are still unfinished. Water has been running off the site for years. The site is a dilapidated eyesore with holes in the roof windows and missing doors. The previous owner built 18 multimillion dollar condominiums and then sold the entire site to EKN development. The original plan was approved by Governing Board in 2011.  At that hearing two members of Governing Board voted against approval. TRPA should never have approved the project since it went from the existing build out of 120,000 square feet to the proposal of as much as
800,000 square feet, yet the original developer claimed the new project would reduce traffic based on a faulty 2006 traffic baseline.

For years the actual baseline traffic of the site has been nil.  The project’s own traffic study states the project will create 2880 vehicle trips each day.  Although repeatedly asked, EKN has refused to disclose the population of the revised project.
The project owners have tried to eliminate the 4^th access out of upper Crystal Bay numerous times.  The community has spent thousands to maintain the 4^th exit.

Now the WALT project has substantially changed.  It’s still the same basic build out (800k sf), just less units.  The units are larger and building up to 2’ higher.  Some units are over 5k sf.  The access to the site has significantly changed with a drop off point on upper lakeview and the elimination of access on SR 28 and exit on Stateline Rd.  Representatives of our group have had numerous meetings with EKN and the County with no agreement on cut through issues for the residential neighborhood of upper Crystal Bay.

Where is the basin wide evacuation plan that covers the millions of visitors and locals when the next wildfire or other emergency occurs? Where is the cumulative impact of the numerous (12 large) projects approved or under review.  Cal-Neva, Tahoe Inn, 39 Degrees, Ferrari/Laulima, Martis Valley West, Neptune Investments, Alpine View Estates, Boatworks Redevelopment, Tahoe City Lodge, Homwood, and Palisades? https://ntpac.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c2651ac4497b4fa0886fa6f7f&id=2bfed63a87&e=05ca50f483
That’s thousands of cars and people on our two lane SR 28 infrastructure.  (SR28 was 4 lanes when the Boulder Bay EIS was done). How can you say a project of this size, (10 pounds in a 5 pound bag), has no significant effect on the neighboring community, air quality (190k CY of material will be moved), community character or welfare of the region. This claim defies logic. The recreational demand on Speedboat Beach will be impossible to manage. Already as many as 1000 people in a day have gone to the beach and it’s access is only 25 feet wide. To claim this project has a minimal impact is preposterous. The Crystal Bay park is a joke in that there is no signage advertising public use and the six space parking lot is used by the Granite Place condominiums. The claim of diligent pursuit is also a joke. It’s been 12 years since approval and the real diligent pursuit is the sale of 18 condominiums.  It’s the diligent pursuit of profit.

Deny the WALT/Boulder Bay project. Demand a carrying capacity study that considers the cumulative impact of North Shore Projects.  It will have a significant effect on neighborhood recreation.  The project 800k sf size is unsafe.  It’s injurious to the general welfare of the region.

TRPA has a responsibility to balance the need for development with the preservation of the natural environment and the needs of the local community.

In considering the WALT/Boulder Bay Project, the TRPA will need to evaluate the project’s potential impact on the environment, traffic, and community character, as well as its compliance with applicable regulations and standards. This evaluation will need to be based on a comprehensive analysis of the project’s potential impact, taking into account the cumulative impact of other projects in the area

Thank you,

Ann Nichols
President