PLACER COUNTY IS RUSHING EXTREME CODE AMENDMENTS

61-70 foot high buildings? Area plan teams argued for over two years and came up with 36’ lakeside of the highway and 48’ across SR 28. Back then in 2017, Placer County Supervisors led by Kirk Uhler changed it to 56’. Now the County wants more.

Last night’s NTRAC (North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council) meeting culminated in a 6-2 vote to recommend approval of experimental broad changes to our codes. Russ Hanson of Homewood and Megan Chellemi of Kings Beach voted not to recommend approval. Megan voted for her grandchildren’s future.
NTRAC concerns were added to the approval: 56 feet should be the maximum (still too high) height in the Town Centers, emergency egress in light of increased density (caused by increased height and massing), and overall concerns on environmental impacts on Lake Tahoe’s clarity.

The County, led by Supervisor Cindy Gustafson, tried to ramrod all this through in October, but locals strongly objected. Now the County is trying reach the finish line by January.

Proposed are major reductions in required parking, increases in building lengths (up to 500’), increases in building massing by encouraging underground parking, reduced setbacks, reduced minimum frontage, and minimum lot size. All the while, Placer County claims no increase in density. You will be able to have a single family home, accessory dwelling unit or tiny home and a junior accessory dwelling unit on one lot where previously you could have a single family home.

More, More, more is the County mantra. Meanwhile there are 13 large projects approved or in review. Boulder Bay, Cal-Neva, 39 degrees, Neptune Investments Jason’s, Ferrari/Laulima, Martis Valley West, Alpine View Estates, Tahoe City Lodge, Boatworks Redevelopment, Homewood and Palisades Ski Area. Apparently that’s not enough. Defying logic, the County doesn’t intend to do an environmental review claiming no increased cumulative impacts.

The next time we need your help is 12/8/22 Thursday, 10:30 am at the Events Center in Kings Beach. It is in front of the Placer County Planning Commission. It’s a big deal. We had a good turn out last night with wonderful citizen comments. You are all fabulous.
Thank you again.