Planning Commission approves new building project at the Y in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The major design review and special use permit for a housing project at the "Y" were unanimously approved Thursday by the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission, one that will bring six two-story units to 906 Emerald Bay Road.

Builder Eric Barstad of South Lake Tahoe was approved to build the project on the half-acre lot he owns adjacent to Hunan Garden. While the project is labeled as multi-family condominiums on commercially zoned property, the six units are stand alone with five feet between each unit. They will have a shared backyard with individual decks on the first and second floors and individual driveways 22 feet apart.

Barstad said the six units will be used for short-term uses including vacation rentals, transitional housing for people in-between permanent housing, as well as other possible uses. They will not be affordable or workforce housing. He is transferring in purchased property rights as there are none on the lot. At this time the owner said he is not planning on selling the individual units and will be renting them out.

Vacation rental use is approved through Measure T. Vacation Home Rentals are being phased out of neighborhoods but will still be allowed in the Tourist Core and in commercial zones. The new project lies within the Tahoe Valley Area Plan area and is zoned commercial.

The multi-family residential development will be subdivided into six detached individual condominiums on a common lot (air space condominiums). Since the project is on one parcel that uses a shared airspace and common area, it is classified as condominiums even though there are no shared walls. The parcel is undeveloped and is bordered by Emerald Bay Road to the east, 5th Street to the
south, and Roger Ave to the west.

Maximum density for the lot is 25 dwelling units per acre. The six units on a half-acre fit this requirement.

Barstad is working on snow storage as the City Permit will include a condition to depict snow storage areas on the site plan. At this time it hasn't been completed.

The project has already been approved by South Tahoe Public Utility District, Liberty Utilities and all other permitting entities, said Barstad.

Barstad said he is hoping to break ground by May 2, 2021.