rentals

Bus service faces drastic change in South Lake Tahoe; Public meeting Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Public comment closes this week on plans released by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) that address issues the agency is facing to be sustainable. Major changes are in store for riders.

Four plans were created as bus service cannot continue as it currently is due to several factors, including the cost of fleet replacement and improvement, funding availability and forecasted funds, regulatory compliance, and keeping and attracting drivers and staff.

Nearly 500 gather up 1,458 pounds of trash from Lake Tahoe beaches

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - 499 volunteers hit the beaches of Lake Tahoe Thursday as part of the annual July 5 Beach Cleanup crew. Each year, volunteers hit the beaches to pick up trash left over by holiday revelers.

This year they removed 1,458 pounds of litter from five beaches: Commons Beach in Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Kiva Beach, Nevada Beach and Regan Beach in South Lake Tahoe. Not only did they comb the six miles of beach, but they also sorted and counted the items collected.

Full signature count needed for medical marijuana dispensary initative

For the second time this week, a group gathering signatures to get initiatives on November's ballot has failed to get past the first phase of signature validation.

On Friday, the El Dorado County Elections Department said the group attempting to grandfather in the existing medical marijuana dispensary in South Lake Tahoe and allow them to sell adult use marijuana failed the first count of a sample 500 signatures.

The Tahoe Wellness Cooperative at 3445 Lake Tahoe Boulevard is the only medical marijuana dispensary in the City limits.

Ballot initiative to keep vacation rentals in South Lake Tahoe lacking in signatures

Efforts to bring a second vacation home rental initiative to November's ballot have hit a roadblock after the El Dorado County Elections office said they did not have enough valid signatures to take it to the voters.

The Sustainable Community Alliance (SCA) turned in 1,843 signatures, thinking that would be enough to guarantee the needed 1,005.

Elections staff did a random count of 500 of those signatures to verify the person signing was a registered voter in the City limits. They found 243 valid signatures in that sample.

Business licenses issued by City of South Lake Tahoe

The following 44 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe in the month of May, 2018.

5/1
BELLICK CONSTRUCTION INC
DMITRIS ART & DESIGN
ENSYNC SPIN STUDIO
HERITAGE ANCIENT NUTRITION BAR
BODYWORKS MASSAGE THERAPY

5/2
CEDAR INN AND SUITES

5/3
METRO SIGN LAKE TAHOE

5/4
CHICKEN IN A BARREL
MCPARLAND SHARED VACATION RENTAL

5/7
MOUNTAIN BREWS
SKATEHOUSE
TAHOE BEAR BOX CO

5/10
ELIZABETH WEDDING DESIGNS

5/14
MADOLE CONSTRUCTION
PORTER ROOFING
THORPE DESIGN
WELLBEING CONSTRUCTION INC

5/15
TALLAC CATERING COMPANY
YANLING XU MASSAGE THERAPY

Letter: Concerned VHR owner caught in crossfire

There are some “innocent” VHR owners caught in the crossfire between neighborhood residents and other VHR owners and tenants who have not observed simple and reasonable rules set forth by the city. I encourage you not to throw the baby out with the bath water and eliminate all VHR’s in residential neighborhoods.

Douglas County to hold public meetings on proposed VHR ordinance changes

Event Date: 
June 18, 2018 - 5:00pm

There will be a series of five public meetings in Douglas County to discuss proposed code amendment changes to their Vacation Home Rental Ordinance. In the old code, vacation home rentals (VHRs) were only allowed in the Tahoe Township (lake portion of the county), but the proposed changes will include VHRs in all areas.

Other proposed changes in the ordinance include:

All VHRs must have a contact person in Douglas County and the property manager must be licensed by the State of Nevada Division of Real Estate.
Unpermitted homes will be fined $500 per day up to $10,000.

City voter watch: VHR ban ballot measure fails in Palm Springs

Palm Springs voters have resoundingly rejected a measure that would have banned vacation rentals in the city's residential neighborhoods.

As of Wednesday morning, with all precincts in the city reporting, no on Measure C had received 68 percent of the vote. The measure called for phasing out rentals of fewer than 28 days in Palm Springs' single-family neighborhoods over the next two years.

Bruce Hoban, co-chair of anti-Measure C group We Love Palm Springs, said that with 6,764 votes counted against the vacation rental ban, his group was declaring victory.

Vail adds new ski resorts and takes over management of Lakeland Village

Vail Resorts has made two announcements this week, one to report their expansion on the slopes, and another that expands their lodging property offerings in South Lake Tahoe.

Vail Resorts has acquired four new mountain resorts: Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire, Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado, and Stevens Pass in Washington State.

County VHR ad hoc committee meeting changes locations

Event Date: 
June 11, 2018 - 5:30pm

The next meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ad hoc committee has changed locations. Originally planned for Placerville, the meetig on June 11 will now be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Science Magnet School.

Ad hoc committee members Supervisors Mike Ranalli and Sue Novasel will be joined by County staff at the meeting.

Letter: VHR company concerned with unverified complaints

Note: The letter was send to South Tahoe Now, the City Enforcement team, Chief of Police, City Council, and City Manager.

Dear VHR Enforcement Team,

We are in receipt of a fourth “Advisory – Vacation Home Rental Complaint” since the City’s wonderful and effective ordinance which brought South Lake Tahoe national publicity. All four of these complaints were unverified.

Letter: Spencer for El Dorado County Supervisor

Dear Editor,

I don’t typically endorse political candidates, but with the serious issues facing El Dorado County and the need for good leadership in our Supervisor, I’m going to break my own rule in support of Jeffrey Spencer.

While Jeffrey Spencer’s name is not as well known around town as the other candidates, Jeffrey and his family have ties to our community that go back decades. He purchased his home ten years ago with plans to retire here, and has lived here full time for five years. His two sons have attended the Middle School and South Tahoe High.

Lake Tahoe Community College announces free tuition program

South Lake Tahoe, CA - Starting in Fall 2018, all first-time, full-time California residents or AB540 eligible students attending Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) will pay no tuition their first year. The Lake Tahoe College Promise is available to any student who is attending college for the first time. LTCC offers associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and vocational certificates in more than 40 areas of study, including Psychology, Business, Fire Science, Culinary Arts, and Allied Health.

Likely South Lake Tahoe voters to see two VHR ballot measures in November

Two South Lake Tahoe community groups have submitted petitions to get their vacation home rental (VHR) initiatives on the November, 2018 ballot. The first group, Tahoe Neighborhoods Group, submitted 1,651 signatures to the City Clerk on April 30, and the second group, Sustainable Community Alliance, turned in 1,827 signatures on May 21, less than 30 days after they started collecting them.

Save a bear - be smart about food storage/trash disposal in the outdoors

Several Lake Tahoe agencies have joined together to remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal at all times while in bear country. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears can result in the bear being killed, fines and/or jail time for violators. Every year law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat and/or are damaging property. In some cases, the animals are euthanized.

Become part of the solution and help save our Tahoe bears!

SLTPD honors and promotes during National Police Week

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) held the annual awards ceremony Thursday, honoring the retirement of K9 Tara, the promotion of Jeff Roberson to Sergeant, awards for bravery and for service.

The celebration was started with the National Anthem sung by South Tahoe High School senior Caroline Krolicki and a presentation of the colors by the department's Honor Guard.

Guest Columnist: Tahoe South continues full speed into summer with national media exposure

The transition to summer brings new opportunities and once again South Lake Tahoe will be front and center a national stage in more ways than one.

Amendments to VHR fines on horizon

South Lake Tahoe may not be known as the home of the $2,000 parking ticket after action taken by the City Council Tuesday.

National media attention spotlighted the fines ($1,000 to the renter and $1,000 to the homeowner) associated with violations of the vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance approved at the end of 2017 by the South Lake Tahoe City Council. This negative publicity has prompted some cancellations of tourist visits, or other changes to vacation plans, according to those in the industry.

Four vying for El Dorado County Supervisor, District 5

There are four people running for El Dorado County Supervisor for the 5th District on June 5: Incumbent Sue Novasel and challengers Kenny Curtzwiler, Norma Santiago and Jeffrey Spencer. The 5th District covers Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma.

South Tahoe Now asked each candidate the same questions, and here are all of their answers, exactly as they were presented to us.

Sue Novasel
Occupation: El Dorado County Supervisor – District V
Past political history:
2015 – Present: County Supervisor, District V

New updates to County VHR ordinance could be in place by July

The El Dorado County Vacation Home Rental Ordinance was first created in 1997 and updated in 2004. At this time there are 900 permitted vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the County, 800 of which are in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

What started out with a “Good Neighbor Policy” has morphed into neighbors versus neighbors in El Dorado County and an ongoing VHR discussion as Supervisors work to create a new ordinance.

VHR ordinance focus of special Board of Supervisors in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 2, 2018 - 6:00pm

The last few attempts to have a special El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting on vacation home rentals (VHRs) have been met by bad weather and an overcrowded venue. The VHR meeting is now scheduled for Wednesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School multi-purpose room.

A revised VHR ordinance is the only item on the agenda.

The Board is looking at eight revisions to the current Ordinance:

1) Restructure the violation and penalty provisions;
2) Clarify the language throughout the Ordinance;
3) Require exterior signage;

Anti-VHR group submits signatures to get initiative on ballot

The first of two groups trying to get vacation home rental ballot measures to the voters in November has submitted signatures to the South Lake Tahoe City Clerk. On Monday, April 30, the Tahoe Neighborhoods Group turned in 1,651 signatures on petitions they circulated through South Lake Tahoe. Those signatures will now be sent to the elections department of El Dorado County for certification.

Letter to the Editor: Moratorium on County VHRs now

We can always count on either Supervisors Novasel or Ranalli starting off each VHR public meeting discussing VHR’s with the reminder that VHR’s are an allowed use for single family dwellings under TRPA’s land use Ordinances. They have attempted to make us believe the word of God (TRPA) has set this in stone, and that we should all now work together to allow these nuisance businesses to coexist in our neighborhoods.

El Dorado County Supervisors approve bear box ordinance

In an attempt to keep trash contained and not easy for wildlife to access, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance Tuesday that has rules for single family residents, multi-unit complexes, businesses and vacation home rentals (VHRs).

The ordinance affects those living in the unincorporated area of the Lake Tahoe Basin, including Meyers and Tahoma.

There will be progressive enforcement by the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department:

Mayor's monthly community chat to center around retail cannabis sales

Event Date: 
April 25, 2018 - 9:00am

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David is holding her monthly "Let's Have a Conversation" on Wednesday, April 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center.

This month's topic will be retail sales of cannabis in the city limits.

The first monthly conversation proved to be very popular, prompting the mayor to move the community event to the Senior Center. That meeting also didn't have a focus, just general community topics. The focus the past two conversations have been vacation home rentals, and the building/permitting process.

South Lake Tahoe community group attempts to get new initiative on the ballot

The "South Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Rentals Restrictions Initiative" may be added to the ballot in November should proponents get enough signatures to put it there.

Created by the Sustainable Community Alliance (SCA), a group in South Lake Tahoe, the initiative is giving voters another chance to voice their opinion about vacation home rentals (VHRs) and should be on the ballot along with another initiative that wants to ban VHRs.

Column: Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan on track

Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is a place of majestic beauty with sandy beaches and secluded, boulder-strewn coves. It’s where residents and visitors alike go to enjoy Tahoe’s famously cold, clear water, whether they are dipping their toes in for the first time or launching their boat, kayak, or paddleboard for a daily outing.

FIrst phase of El Dorado County VHR ordinance closer to approval

Weather has not be the best friend of those wanting to get a revised vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance for El Dorado County. Snow and unsafe travel conditions for staff driving to South Lake Tahoe from Placerville for the meetings lead to the cancellation of the March 3 and March 24 meetings, and the original February 1 meeting had to be stopped due to overcrowding. The next Board of Supervisors meeting on VHRs will be in South Lake Tahoe on May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School multi-purpose room.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

3/29

Kudos: Drug Store Project successful due to community partnerships

If you had walked onto the LTCC campus on Tuesday, April 3, you would have never guessed that there were 325 6th grade youth and 220 agency and volunteer workers throughout the corridors, all learning information on how and why to keep themselves safe from drugs. “Choices, what are yours?” was the theme of our efforts in keeping our youth drug free. With the country’s attitudes and norms about drug use changing, times are even more difficult for our kids.

El Dorado County VHR meeting rescheduled, again

Event Date: 
May 2, 2018 - 6:00pm

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have rescheduled their vacation home rental (VHR) meeting on the South Shore for Wednesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School's Multi-Purpose Room.

Weather has canceled two meetings, with the initial meeting postponed due to over-crowding of the meeting room.

This proposed purpose of this meeting on May 2 is to:

1. Conceptually approve amendments to Title 5 - County Business License Ordinance of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 5.56 - Vacation Home Rentals in the Lake Tahoe Basin;

Potential VHR ban could stall new recreation complex in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe voters went to the polls on November 8, 2016 and approved Measure P, a Tourist Accommodation Tax (TOT) increase of two percent to fund a new $25 million recreation complex in the city.

Now that new center is at jeopardy.

El Dorado County may take 2% TOT hike to the voters

Revenue will need to increase in El Dorado County in order to complete a list of needed projects including those for repaired roads and economic development, both items that are affected by tourism.

The El Dorado County Board o Supervisors will start the discussion at the their next meeting on March 13 to the possibility of taking a tax increase to the voters in 2018, one the voters will benefit from but won't have to pay for.

Truckee police arrest pair for alleged rental fraud at Lake Tahoe homes

The Truckee Police Department was notified by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office on March 7, 2018 about a possible fraud that may have taken place in both communities.

A vacation home in Incline Village had been rented for a number of days by a couple using a fraudulent credit card issued by a foreign country. When the rental company returned to the home on Friday afternoon, they discovered major damage to the residence as well as the theft of thousands of dollars worth of electronics and other valuables. The homeowners had reported an approximate loss of $75,000 in theft and damages.

South Lake Tahoe community engaging during monthly conversations

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David held her second "Community Conversation" on Wednesday, opening the avenues of conversation between government and the public. This time Councilmember Brooke Laine joined her.

During the first such meeting in January the crowd got too big for the chosen area, Peet's Coffee, so this month they moved to the SLT Senior Center. Everyone attending agreed the center was much more conducive to good conversation.

"I thought it went really well," said Wendy. "I really appreciate the respect everyone shows for each other and opinions can be shared freely."

Column: Making progress on Tahoe’s housing shortage

Like many communities across the country, the Tahoe Basin is facing an affordable housing crisis. The high cost to buy or rent a home is simply unaffordable for most Tahoe residents. It’s a problem for people of many economic backgrounds, including middle-income teachers, nurses, police, and firefighters.

No Globe Alliance pleads case to South Lake Tahoe City Council

One thing is evident at the last few months of South Lake Tahoe City Council meetings - the public is interested in voicing their opinions about several hot topics on the agenda including vacation home rentals, cannabis and SnowGlobe.

Tuesday, February 20 was no different as a line of locals got up to speak about the newly formed group, the No Globe Alliance.

Vote for Lakeview Commons concessionaires on Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - There may be new vendors at Lakeview Commons this summer. At the 9:00 a.m. South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20, City staff will present the results of the bidding process for concessionaires at both the food and beverage concession and non-motorized watercraft rental service.

Staff's recommended concessionaires are Sierra-at-Tahoe for the food and beverage services at Lakeview Commons, and Tahoe City Kayak and Paddleboard for the watercraft rentals. The Council will take their consideration into their vote.

City of South Lake Tahoe to host cannabis workshop

Event Date: 
February 20, 2018 - 5:00pm

After Tuesday's normally scheduled 9:00 a.m. meeting, they will move to the Tahoe Beach Retreat & Lodge for an evening Cannabis Workshop to discuss upcoming regulations concerning the sales of adult-use cannabis in South Lake Tahoe. They moved to the larger venue due to expected participation.

On February 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., members of the public can give their input on what an ordinance concerning the sales of cannabis in city limits should look like. Besides council members there will also be representative of the Planning Commission and Cannabis Subcommittee.

South Lake Tahoe home recently seen on "The Bachelor" for sale

If you caught the January 22, 2018 episode of The Bachelor that showed bachelor Arie Luyendyk, Jr. in many scenic spots around South Lake Tahoe you most likely saw the home the show's contestants, the bachelorettes, stayed in while in town.

That 17,000 square foot house on Sherman Way is now for sale with a price tag of $15,880,000. It has 17 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, five fire places, a swimming pool, high end features and appliances, and amazing views.

SLT City Manager on "indefinite leave." Fire chief steps in as acting manager

The South Lake Tahoe City Council announced today that City Manager Nancy Kerry is on indefinite leave. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Meston has been appointed as the acting City Manager.

Kerry has been with the City since 2008, working in various departments and moving into the City Manager position August 21, 2012

"City Council will not be making any additional comments to respect Ms. Kerry’s privacy," according to a press release issued Wednesday.

South Lake Tahoe cannabis discussion to move to evening meeting

The Cannabis Community Committee gave a presentation to the South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday, outlining the work they've done and recommendations for the City's ordinance for cannabis sales.

Fifteen members of the community came together as the committee and met with Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis, Councilwoman Brooke Laine, Police Chief Brian Uhler, City Attorney Nira Doherty and City Staff member Lisa Watson to discuss and research issues facing legal sales of cannabis in the city limits.

South Lake Tahoe meeting on vacation rental ordinance for El Dorado County

Event Date: 
February 1, 2018 - 5:30pm

Vacation rentals in El Dorado County in the Tahoe basin outside the South Lake Tahoe city limits will see new regulations in the future, many of which will be conceptually approved during the Board of Supervisors meeting in South Lake Tahoe February 1.

Letter: VHR company responds to public letter

In Response to Mr. Scott Ramirez’ Letter to the City Council 01/21/2018

Dear Mr. Ramirez,

My name is Joshua Priou and I manage the property that is located directly across the street from you, I have been the sole property manager since it became a Vacation Home Rental in 2012. After reading your article I became quite saddened to hear of your concerns and I felt it was necessary to clarify and shed some light on your comments.

Letter: An open letter to South Lake Tahoe City Council

Dear Council Members:

My name is Scott Ramirez, I am a long time resident of South Lake Tahoe. Some of you know me and my family and are familiar with our activities to support our town. We are advocates for our community and volunteer where we can.

The Bachelor episode filmed in South Lake Tahoe airs Jan. 22

If you're a fan of The Bachelor and watched Monday night, you might have caught a glimpse of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains as the backdrop of next week's episode.

This year's bachelor is Arie Luyendyk Jr., a former Formula 1 racer who left the world of racing to become a successful estate broker in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mac the Naw: Topaz opener brings lots of catches, large mackinaws being caught at Tahoe

Hello fellow anglers, welcome to the new year and may it bring you tighter lines. I can truly say the Topaz Lake fishing derby is off to a very good start.

On opening day they were plenty of anglers enjoying a fair weather day, where it be from shore or from boat. Most anglers were very successful. I had the pleasure of fishing with Mike and Tom Blotter. We were on the lake at 6 a.m. and had lines in the water right at the precise moment of opening day. We covered the lake in a variety of depths.

No moratorium on vacation rentals in El Dorado County

Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was just as all other meetings about vacation home rentals have been: A full house and a large contingent passionately representing both sides of the issue.

Supervisor Shiva Frentzen sought conceptual approval of an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental (VHR) permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

El Dorado County to hold special meeting for vacation home rentals

Event Date: 
February 1, 2018 - 6:00pm

There will be a special meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to discuss vacation home rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe at 6:00 p.m. on February 1 at the City Council chambers.

Supervisor Sue Novasel said she believes a meeting about the South Shore should be held on the South Shore so more of the citizens could attend and participate.

The hot topic of VHRs has divided many neighbors with opinions on both side of the issue.

Public input sought on new Tahoe South Events Center

Could there soon be a publicly-owned events center on the corner of Highway 50 and Lake Parkway on the MontBleu parking lot in Stateline, Nevada?

The plan to build the 88,420 square foot Tahoe South Events Center is now in the scoping stage where the public can weigh in and provide comments on the Tahoe Douglas Visitor's Authority (TDVA) proposal to construct the assembly, event and entertainment venue.

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