Overhaul of Lake Tahoe planning ordinances made easy

By the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
As the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency prepares to reorganize and reformat its code of ordinances to make it more user-friendly, an equally user-friendly summary of the proposed edits and procedural changes has been prepared and is available to offer greater clarity to the public, according to the Agency.
“We have broad excitement about the proposed changes,” TRPA Community Liaison Jeff Cowen said. “But the revised code of ordinances is still a lot of material to look over, so we have also prepared companion documents that can guide everyone through the edits.”

The TRPA created both an executive summary as well as a detailed crosswalk report outlining the reformatting and possible procedural amendments that will increase efficiency and predictability when planning a project. These documents are available at the TRPA office and on the Agency website www.trpa.org. Copies will also be available at the TRPA public workshop this Wednesday in Kings Beach, CA.
Comments on the proposed changes can be sent to TRPA Regional Planner Paul Nielsen by mail to TRPA offices or by email to pnielsen@trpa.org. Comments can be sent through November 9.
The joint workshop with the TRPA Governing Board and Advisory Planning Commission is scheduled for October 26 at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. The TRPA Governing Board is scheduled to consider adoption of the revisions at its November 16, 2011 meeting at the TRPA Board Rooms in Stateline, NV.
While this update to TRPA’s ordinances is a welcome overhaul, the broader Regional Plan Update could hold in store further improvements to the Agency’s permitting processes. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2012, the Regional Plan Update is using modern science and innovative methods for restoring Lake Tahoe while creating sustainable communities. Additional changes to the TRPA code will be necessary to implement revised land use goals and policies.
The TRPA Governing Board meetings can be listened to though an online broadcast on the homepage of the TRPA website. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Jeff Cowen or email to jcowen@trpa.org.