TRPA's Jeff Cowen talks Regional Plan Update on Tahoe Tonight

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced the schedule of public meetings and workshops for public input on the Regional Plan Update draft and environmental documents for Lake Tahoe being released later this month. TRPA Community Liaison Jeff Cowen stopped by Tahoe Tonight recently to discuss the plan.

The plan update includes five draft documents which will be released at TRPA’s Governing Board meetings on April 25 at The Chateau in Incline Village and April 26 at the TRPA Office Board Rooms. The draft documents include the updated plan and corresponding environmental impact statement along with TRPA’s code of ordinances documents, and the Regional Transportation Plan and related environmental impact statement. The 2011 Threshold Evaluation Report, Lake Tahoe’s environmental report card, is also being released at this time.

Priorities for the Regional Plan Update are:

Accelerating water quality restoration and other ecological benefits by targeting
environmental redevelopment opportunities and Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) investments.
Focusing TRPA’s resources more on regional planning and integrating land use
implementation into procedures of local governments and other agencies.
Simplifying and streamlining the permit review process.

“We can be proud that we listened to the community input we received during the Pathway process, and that this plan update reflects the public’s overwhelming desire for more livable, walkable communities,” said Norma Santiago, El Dorado County Supervisor and the Chair of TRPA’s Governing Board.

During the April Governing Board meeting, the board will have an open discussion on the length of time for public comment on the draft environmental impact statement on the Regional Plan Update and Regional Transportation Plan. The discussion will center on whether the comment period should be 60, 75, or 90 days, and how each choice will impact the final Regional Plan Update delivery schedule.

Public meetings and workshops have been scheduled to provide information on the draft documents and a venue for members of the public to ask questions and share their thoughts with Governing Board representa­tives and TRPA staff.

The public meeting and workshop dates are as follows:
April 25, 2012 at 9 a.m. TRPA Governing Board meeting, The Chateau, 955 Fairway Boulevard, Incline Village, NV.
April 26, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. TRPA Governing Board meeting, TRPA Office Board Rooms, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV. Draft amendments to the Regional Plan and Regional Transportation Plan will be released for public review and Governing Board decision will be made on public comment timeframe.

May 21, 2012 – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Public Workshops on the Regional Transportation Plan and Regional Plan, The Chateau, 955 Fairway Boulevard, Incline Village, NV.

May 22, 2012 – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Public Workshops on the Regional Transportation Plan and Regional Plan, TRPA Office Board Rooms, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV.

May 23, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. TRPA Governing Board meeting public hearings, North Tahoe Events Center, 8318 North Lake Boulevard, Kings Beach, CA.

May 24, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. TRPA Governing Board meeting public hearings, TRPA Office Board Rooms, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV.

Members of the public can also send their comments on the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update to regionalplancomments@trpa.org or on the Regional Transportation Plan to mobility2035comments@trpa.org.

“Public input is considered a critical part of the Regional Plan Update process,” said
Joanne S. Marchetta, TRPA’s executive director. “We encourage people to get involved as we create a sustainable future together.”

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Kristi Boosman at (775) 589-5230 or send an email to kboosman@trpa.org .