Planning Commission to hear proposed changes to South Lake Tahoe Cannabis Ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the City of South Lake Tahoe comes up on the third anniversary of its ordinance that legalized cannabis businesses, changes are being proposed. On Thursday, February 10, the planning commission will hear from staff on proposals of allowing on-site consumption, expansion of the grow canopy from 5,000 square feet to 22,000 feet and allowing permittees to hold more than one non-retail cannabis permit.

To date, there are four legal cannabis retail businesses in operation. Neither of the two microbusinesses approved has yet to open. Perfect Union SLT was denied due to changes in ownership (and is currently in litigation), and Redefining Organics has been building a large operation west of the Y.

According to a city staff report, city council members expressed some concern about allowing on-site consumption at this time as there are not currently robust alternative transportation options available for customers who may become impaired. There are still no measurable limits for testing cannabis impairment while driving, unlike alcohol. Ultimately, however, Council directed staff to draft an ordinance to be brought back for consideration to include on-site consumption, allowing cannabis businesses to hold more than one non-retail permit, and increase the maximum allowed canopy size.

Also on the agenda is a presentation on the proposed City Housing Element update and a swearing-in of the newest member to the commission, Keith Roberts. They will also be voting on a multi-family housing project major design review of 3708 Lake Tahoe Boulevard and 3709 Osgood Avenue, between IHOP and the Postmarc hotel.

The proposed project is the construction of a new multi-family residential development consisting of 14 attached townhouses, intended to be subdivided into separate ownership residences. The 14 units are within three buildings with access from Lake Tahoe Boulevard and egress to Osgood Avenue. The project includes new landscaping, onsite amenities, an onsite sidewalk, and a new sidewalk along the Osgood Avenue Street frontage. Proposed plans are for buildings that are three stories high. The applicant is proposing units with two bedrooms and 3.5 baths and three bedrooms with 3.5 baths. The project incorporates second-floor decks and covered patios at ground level. All the units are two stories with an attached one-car garage. Since they are in the tourist core zone, there could be many uses of the units, including vacation rentals.

The project area was previously developed with commercial uses that were demolished, and the coverage was banked onsite. The property is owned by SLRV Investments, LLC, listed by the Secretary of State as being a San Mateo-based real estate investment company.

The meeting starts at 3:00 p.m. and will be held in council chambers at the airport on Lisa Maloff Way. Attendees can participate in person or via Zoom. Links and the agenda can be found here - https://cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.