Meyers Area Plan meeting both disappoints and educates

If the long line at the entrance to the cafeteria at Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet School on Wednesday evening was any indication, the Meyers Area Plan (MAP) meeting was going to be another contentious event.

The meeting was one of several that has been hosted by El Dorado County concerning the future plan for the community of Meyers. As one can imagine, there is not a single plan that all who live there can agree upon.

Sue Novasel, County Supervisor for Area 5 which represents the South Shore, including Meyers, was recently told by County Counsel that she couldn't participate in talks about the plan because she owns 11.5% of a commercial building in Meyers. Counsel felt decisions about the MAP and zoning changes could affect her investment.

Taking Novasel's place during the MAP process is the County Supervisor from Area 3, Brian Veerkamp. Novasel and her assistant Judi McCallum were both at the meeting to observe and answer non-area plan questions.

Many were surprised that the meeting was just an open house as it did not include the opening remarks as promised in the invitation "Opening remarks from the County Board of Supervisors Chair will be followed by a breakout session with opportunities for public questions and comments."

Veerkamp said he didn't want to facilitate a community argument. "I want everyone to participate in the process by submitting comments," he said. "I will read every comment to find out what the people who live in Meyers community want."

There is no unified vision of what that will be but residents want their voice heard. Veerkamp suggested the group have a facilitator at an open community meeting without government present in order gather everyone's input to create a single plan to present to the County.

"This is just a dog and pony show," said Meyers resident and former County Supervisor candidate Kenny Curtzwiler. "The format changed and we didn't get to hear opening comments."

There were stations set up around the school cafeteria that displayed different avenues of what the plan will involve from Highway 50 to recreation needs. Representatives from the county, TRPA, Caltrans and California Tahoe Conservancy were all there to listen to the public.

Comments were recorded and will be reviewed later.

Carl Fair, owner of the Century 21 Tahoe Paradise agency as well as the builder of Meyers Station was there to observe. "I'm happy that people are going through the process," he said.

Residents can still participant and provide their views through the plan's website here.