planning

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are some promising signs that the COVID-19 surge is over in El Dorado County. If current data continues in the direction it has been headed, El Dorado County is likely near the peak of the post holidays COVID-19 surge.

The surge of cases and hospitalizations began two weeks after Halloween, then continued through the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays.

The El Dorado County Public Health Director Dr. Nancy Williams says we won't reliably know until another week or two has passed if the surge has hit its peak.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is now an open license for a South Lake Tahoe cannabis microbusiness after one of those approved in 2019 will not finish up the process of opening. On January 14, 2021, the City Planning Commission denied a request from James Street LLC to change the name of the approved operator and extend their deadline to open by six months.

STATELINE, Nev. - The very popular Rabe Meadows to Nevada Beach Trail, also known as the Lam Watah Trail, has no water stations along the route for dogs and their humans, and a local resident is trying to change that.

In cooperation with Douglas County, the U.S. Forest Service and Lake Tahoe Planning and Permitting LLC, Liz Lawton would like to raise the funds necessary to purchase and install a doggie drinking fountain and water bottle filling station. It would be located at the trailhead near the intersection of Kahle Drive and US50 by the restrooms.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With nice weather, a relaxing of some travel restrictions, and some snow on the ground, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend is expected to be a busy one in the Sierra.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and California State Parks have joined together in an outreach campaign to provide simple actions to increase the enjoyment of the outdoors experience. Staying local, planning ahead, social distancing guidelines, not leaving trash and following the posted rules are just some of the ways to enjoy Lake Tahoe and the Sierra.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a special meeting of the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

First on the agenda is a possible vote on an update to City Code and the design standards included in it after receiving a grant from the State to do so. There have been public workshops and meetings with contractors and developers, along with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), to get their input on the updates the standards.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The public is invited to participate in another 56-Acre Master Plan virtual session on January 20, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Planning is underway to create a signature park and area in the heart of South Lake Tahoe that will fill a large wish list of projects.

There are many ways the community can participate including taking the self-guided tour onsite, the online survey, and joining the public online meeting.

Online Public Meeting:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in the 1940s, before South Tahoe Public Utility
District existed, sewage flowed directly into beautiful Lake Tahoe. Citizens rallied to sign a petition to form the District and this year marks our 70th anniversary. From a single septic field to an award-winning 7.7 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, with 100% recycled water and biosolids, a lot
has changed over the years.

Seven outstanding restoration, sustainability, and construction projects were recognized as recipients of Best in the Basin awards by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) during an online meeting of the agency’s Governing Board. The projects and programs each exhibit outstanding planning and execution and lead the way in environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Region, according to the agency.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A true trailblazer in the forming of the City of South Lake Tahoe has died at the age of 90. Del Laine, passed away from natural causes with her family at her side.

She served on South Lake Tahoe's City Council from 1976-1980, and then again from 1984-1988 and became the City's first female Mayor in 1977. She would go on to serve one more term as Mayor during her time on council.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) in coordination with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, will host a virtual public workshop about the Meeks Bay Restoration Project from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. The workshop will provide the background and need for the project, share proposed restoration and site improvement alternatives, describe the next steps in the environmental planning process and solicit feedback on the alternatives.

We are ready for some glad tidings this holiday season. While we look forward to the spirit of generosity and warmth the season brings, many are also hoping the New Year will deliver a meaningful reset. Propelling ourselves forward and out of crisis will require fortitude and drive. The pending vaccine is a bright spot on the horizon, but there are other positive indicators for better days to come.

The Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may be in South Lake Tahoe by the end of next week, pending authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine gained approval by a panel of 22 experts on Thursday by a vote of 17-4 in favor of recommending the FDA give it the green light (one panelist abstained).

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office today announced the reactivation of the
County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases and its impact on County hospitals. It includes personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, County Public Health department and the County’s Chief Administrative Office.

With winter just around the corner, all visitors to California’s National Forests should continue to plan ahead before visiting and recreate responsibly once there. Early snowfall has already begun on some forests and road conditions will begin to impact access so please ensure that your vehicle is snow ready before you go.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) today recognized individuals who, over the agency’s 50-year history, worked tirelessly to protect the spectacular environment of the Lake Tahoe Region and to create more resilient communities, TRPA announced today.

There is a change of command at the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. They recently promoted four staff members:

Battalion Chief Bryce Cranch promoted to Assistant Chief

Bryce has held the positions of Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, Captain, Training Captain and Battalion Chief. Special assignments: EMS Chief, Facilities Chief. Serving the TDFPD community for 16 years.

Captain Chris Lucas promoted to Battalion Chief

Crews began work this month in the marsh system of Taylor and Tallac creeks in the Southwest portion of the Tahoe Basin to remove aquatic invasive plants from an abundant and impacted marsh ecosystem, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) said today.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The overnight snow storm that hit the Sierra Tuesday night left over a foot of snow on the mountains around Lake Tahoe.

Ten inches of new snow fell overnight at Homewood Mountain Resort’s summit on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, and two inches at the base (lake level). With a winter storm warning in effect until 6:00 p.m. tonight, the National Weather Service forecast is calling for another 4-8” of snow throughout the day today, and 1-3” tonight.

Heavenly staff reports 16" of snow overnight.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fund has kicked off its annual Request for Projects process, a time they seek applications seeking funds of $5,000 to 1,000,000 to complete their goals to help preserve Lake Tahoe.

The funding for projects are designed to restore Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity, create healthier forests, improve transportation, create more sustainable recreation, and inspire greater stewardship in the region.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors will consider changes to the El Dorado County Vacation Home Rental Ordinance at its November 17 meeting. The 2:00 p.m. time certain public hearing will contain consideration of a cap of 1,050 total permits issued in the unincorporated portion of the Tahoe Basin.

A waiting list would be created for those wanting a VHR permit after the 1,050 number is met. The waiting list request shall become void upon change in ownership.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two parcels behind Raley's at Stateline are the subject of a public workshop on Thursday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m.. The City of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency are seeking public scoping comments on an applicant-initiated proposal to rezone the two parcels located within the boundary of the City of South Lake Tahoe Tourist Core Area Plan. The proposed amendment submitted by HVR Acquisitions would rezone the two parcels from Recreation to Tourist Center Mixed Use.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Regional Planning Association (TRPA) will be conducting their first lottery for new moorings (buoys, boat lifts, etc.) at Lake Tahoe.

In 2018 the Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan was adopted, putting a cap on the total number of moorings and piers allowed in the Tahoe Basin. The plan establishes an annual lottery to allocate new moorings until all allocations are distributed.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - County officials say the election process will not be affected after learning on Sunday, November 1 that a Douglas County employee involved in the election tested positive for COVID-19.

Douglas County has worked closely with Carson City Health and Human Services on contact tracing related to the positive case. Individuals who are considered close contacts to the positive case have already been notified regarding their need to isolate or quarantine.

I have read a number of candidate statements and articles about their hopes and aspirations for our community. I applaud each candidate that is running for local office; the challenge is getting their messages to voters.

I must say, however, despite all of the objectives that the candidates seek to achieve while in office, they are missing an important point. It is not only what you want to accomplish, but how to do so.

My history of involvement has spanned decades in our community and the positions that I have taken are of public record.