City Council meeting to cover Sunray Motel and Motel 6 updates, fire severity zones

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at 9 a.m. The public can participate in person at the Lake Tahoe Airport, or online.

On the agenda:

An update on the existing structures located at 2375 Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Motel 6) and 2659 Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Sunray Motel) are currently vacant and surrounded by fencing. The California Tahoe Conservancy has purchased the Motel 6 property for a restoration project. Sunray Motel has been vacant and subject to ongoing administrative citations and penalties for creating a public nuisance since March 2022. The status and potential for housing will be discussed.

City Council will consider a proposed ordinance to update "very high fire severity zone" designations in the City based on the updated California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) State Responsibility Area (SRA) map. California law requires Cal Fire to develop maps identifying very high fire severity zones for potential wildland fires, and local governments are then required to adopt an ordinance formally designating these zones in their jurisdiction. On February 7, 2024, the City received an updated map from Cal Fire amending very high fire severity zone designations in the City. Pursuant to Government Code section 51179, the City is required to designate these updated zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving such recommended fire designations. The vast majority of the City is included in a very high fire severity zone, and this designation triggers additional building and fire code requirements intended to promote fire
safety.

Predevelopment Loan and Development Agreement with NDC Lake Tahoe LLC for the 3900 and 3908 Lake Tahoe Boulevard Affordable Housing Project. The project developers have requested a loan for City-approved predevelopment
costs for the affordable housing project, a loan funded by one or a combination of three sources: 1) Workforce Development Account; 2) Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA); or 3) Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP). The loan would not exceed $564,073. The two lots were owned by the city for what was going to be the "Loop Road," but after Council voted that project down the lots are being planned for a 74-unit affordable housing project.

A review of the Bicycle Advisory Committee's (BAC) prioritized list of Active Transportation Projects for the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will take place, with possible motions. The creation of a prioritized list of active transportation projects is part of an ongoing effort with BAC to assist in the CIP development process. The BAC and Public Works Department want to share the information with the Council and the public to receive input and direction on which active transportation projects to
prioritize for planning, design, acquisition, and grant funding requests.

The City is embarking on the creation of the Mid-Town Area Plan to direct
development in central South Lake Tahoe as directed by the Strategic Plan on Mid-Town Revitalization. Staff will be presenting an initial project timeline and scope to inform City Council and the public on timeframes for outreach and public engagement, key elements of the planning process, and
current conditions under the existing regulatory framework. This is an information-only item.

The Council will discuss, and possibly vote on an option the Elections Code allows for them concerning the Vacancy Tax Citizens Initiative. The collected signatures have been transmitted to the El Dorado County Elections Department for signature examination and verification. While signature verification is ongoing, City staff is requesting that the City Council provide direction on whether to prepare a report concerning the fiscal impact an initiative would create, or not.

For all agenda items and instructions on how to participate, visit HERE.