Appeal to the Bijou Park Creek Marketplace withdrawn

The City of South Lake Tahoe is pleased to announce the appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the Mitigated Negative Declaration of the Bijou Park Creek Marketplace (former Knights Inn) project has been withdrawn. The City appreciates the Appellant’s admission of the project’s benefits to the environment and her disclaim of the appeal. The Appellant acknowledged that the appeal was proposed and written by United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) to oppose competition, not to address environmental concerns. As a result of the withdrawal of this appeal, it will not be on the City Council’s June 20, 2017 City Council agenda and there are no other appeals pending.

The City recognizes the rights of union workers to oppose competition, however, the use of CEQA to do so is an abuse of the intent of the process,” said City Manager, Nancy Kerry. “In this case, a mitigated negative declaration was the right analysis because the proposed environmental redevelopment project will provide a variety of environmental benefits, reduce fine sediments flowing into Lake Tahoe, improve the visual appeal of the area and strengthen the economy, which is an environmental improvement over the current condition. I strongly support and commend the Appellant for stepping forward to put her community first and thus, reducing the possibly of costly and frivolous litigation.”

The Bijou Park Creek project will proceed with demolition and construction this summer. The City welcomes the improvements to the area and is working with neighboring properties who are also considering expanding the improvements in the area.

“This is an exciting time in South Lake Tahoe with the Zalanta project grand opening yesterday, the Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe opening next week, the recent reopening of the redevelopment of the Crossings at the Y, small and large business openings and capital investments occurring throughout town, pushing us over-the-$750,000,000 mark in capital investment over the past four years; we look forward to the new Bijou Park Creek Marketplace project which will continue the revitalization of the South Shore,” said Mayor Austin Sass.