South Lake Tahoe City Council approves solutions to parking problem around Heavenly

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While there have been parking challenges in the Heavenly neighborhood of South Lake Tahoe for several seasons, the past winter exposed the lack of adequate parking for those using Heavenly Mountain Resort. It was a chaotic scene on several weekends and holidays with cars stuck on the roads surrounding the resort, vehicles sliding and colliding on most streets, and residents in the area unable to get in and out of their driveways.

The City of South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly held a May 15 meeting with the public to seek comments about parking around the resort. Potential solutions were discussed as concern has been growing since Vail Resorts announced paid parking at Heavenly next season. Residents fear the paid parking will force more vehicles onto the streets around the resort, further exacerbating overflow parking impacts and congestion. The conversation continued at this week's City Council meeting and a Heavenly Parking Management Plan was laid out.

After much discussion during the meeting, and input from the public, the Council voted unanimously to get the following in place:

Short-Term Solutions – To be completed before November 2023:
1. Establishing seasonal No Parking/Towing Zones in all residential streets subject to an overflow impact. The average zone of parking impact is estimated to be about half-mile from the Heavenly Lodge, which the public is willing to walk. No Parking will be effective between November 1 to May 1 only.
2. Increase the size and height of the No Parking Signs and add a Tow-Away Underplate.
3. Increase the No Parking violation fine up to $300 from the existing $75.
4. Increase the No Parking in front of Fire Hydrant fine to $200 from the existing $105.
5. Implement a Chain Control Area at the bottom of Ski Run Blvd
6. Improve coordination with Heavenly/Vail Resort during winter weather events.

Mid-Term Solutions – To be completed within one to two years:
1. Implement a Residential Parking Permit Program (RPPP) along certain roadways with single-family homes. With the RPPP, homeowners can obtain a permit for guests to park on the street. A short-term solution for this winter is getting a pass in place (within vehicle code guidelines) for residents who have only on-street parking at their residences. Others will be cited for violation. However, RPPP requires a citywide ordinance for implementation and will have administrative costs and enforcement resources. The City is evaluating an RPPP for other neighborhoods.
2. Encourage Heavenly to implement improved transit service between Heavenly Lodge and parking lots in the City, administered by Heavenly/Vail Resorts. This would require an agreement between Heavenly/Vail Resorts and other entities, such as Lake Tahoe Community College. Recommend revenues from parking fees to fund transit.
3. Improve transit service by continuing to work with the SSTMA, TRPA, and, TTD to identify alternative mobility options and funding sources.
4. Installation of Overhead Changeable Message Signs and replacement of existing non-working signs.

Long-Term Solutions – To be completed between 2 to 5 years:
1. Long-term projects are conceptual only and require more detailed evaluation, direction from City Council, and inclusion in City’s Captial Improvement Program. Currently, there is no funding for these projects, and cost-sharing with Heavenly and other parties may be required to fund these
projects.
2. A new Parking Garage with some type of transit connection to Heavenly Lodge
3. Construction of Pedestrian/Bike Path on Ski Run/Needle Peak/ Wildwood to separate the vehicle from pedestrians to improve safety.

The motion directed staff to work on the short, mid, and long-term solutions, and also include a maximum fine for parking in designated parking up to $300, to move as quickly as possible to implement the residential parking plan, and strongly encourage Heaenly to implement shuttle program that would be funded by parking fee program.

Some of the solutions will cost the City money so they continue to work with Heavenly on all issues around parking. In August the current parking agreement with Heavenly for the use of City streets comes back to Council, The City is paying for the problems caused by those using Heavenly and their new parking reservation system for $20 per vehicle.

Many Council members see a constructive relationship with Heavenly beneficial as they work together. Councilman John Friedrich said the ski company is trying to disincentivize driving and incentivize shuttles and carpools, just like other ski areas across the country. Councilmember Tamara Wallace strongly encourages a shuttle system.

Staff and Council want to push the residential stickers as quickly as possible, within the guidelines of the vehicle code which require an ordinance to be in place.

Councilmember Scott Robbins said he wants the City to force Heavenly and use leverage to stop their charging to park. Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass pointed out that there are a few reasons that won't work - Heavenly is not in the city limits, it is private property. Cody said, "It is best to work together and not be in an adversary position, but work together."

In August, the annual parking agreement between the City and Heavenly comes back to Council. They will be discussing options to eliminate street parking, Heavenly developing a chain control area with their staff, a fair cost-sharing plan to upgrade Ski Run Blvd, and discussing no parking on Regina and Needle Peak.