SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Since 1985, the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) has been working in the Lake Tahoe Basin to protect, restore, and enhance the recreational and environmental resources of the region.
A key part of its function is to conduct land swaps and property exchanges with governments and public utilities to consolidate ownership, protect sensitive wetlands, and improve management efficiencies in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
One of those land swaps is on the South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda for Tuesday, September 8. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.
After years in the works, the plans moved forward with public meetings and a completed CEQA, resulting in approval by the CTC board in September 2022. City Council also approved the steps needed for an exchange during its Sept. 6, 2022 meeting. In a 4-0 vote (Bass was absent), they authorized the surplus property to be exempt and authorized the City Manager to negotiate a land exchange agreement for 18 parcels totaling approximately 7.3 acres owned by the CTC, swapping about 180 acres of sensitive open space near Trout Creek and Cold Creek owned by the City.
After staff worked out the specifics of the swap deal for almost four years, City Council had it before them on June 2, 2026, for final approval. Council members David Jinkens and Scott Robbins wanted to continue the item and asked staff to look into other uses for the land, including a bike path at Connely Beach between the Sierra Shores development and former Beach Retreat. That swath of land was part of the Conservancy’s public outreach four years ago due to concerns by homeowners.
Part of the swap deal includes lakefront property at the former Alta Mira building which was torn down by the Conservancy on September 15, 2014, after they purchased it for $2.5M.
“We hope these acquisitions will be just the first wave of our renewed efforts to partner with the City in helping to revitalize South Lake Tahoe,” Tom Davis said in May 2014 when the Conservancy Board approved the purchase. He was chair of the CTC Board at the time and also a city councilmember.
At that site, the plan at the time was to create the Fremont Overlook and open the beach space below the building to the public, but it remains fenced at this time due to erosion concerns.
Other lots included in the trade are one on Tallac Avenue, directly behind the Al Tahoe Pioneer Cemetery, which would be able to expand into that lot for preservation.
For more information on this agenda item and others, visit HERE.
Land swap plan (red is owned by Conservancy, and blue is the City):
