TRPA to review fuels reduction at Homewood Resort at next board meeting

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - last month, The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) received a formal application from Homewood Mountain Resort for amendments to the resort master plan approved by TRPA in 2011. The agency is currently reviewing the application and supporting documents to determine if the application is complete.

As part of the review process, planners will draft a timeline for TRPA review including a schedule of public input opportunities.

To keep public safety and forest resilience work on the West Shore moving forward, the Homewood Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project will be considered by the TRPA Governing Board at its June 26, 2024 meeting. The Governing Board will only be considering the forest fuel reduction project and will not be discussing the proposed master plan revisions. The agency has communicated to the applicant that other project applications at the resort will not be considered until the master plan amendment process is complete.

In their letter to the TRPA, Homewood Village Resorts, LLC (HVR) said they have started development of seven residential units on Lot 3 at the
North Base. Now, they are ready to begin the next phase of development at the resort.

"Homewood Mountain Resort will remain 'an intimate family-friendly, no crowds on the slopes ski and all-season resort," said HVR in their letter. They state Homewood’s ski mountain, hiking trails, retail, skier services, and recreational assets will remain publicly accessible and will host all the community and recreational amenities the public and Agencies originally expected with the approved Master Plan and will deliver the following:

• Replace aging infrastructure including gondola installation replacing Madden Chair
• Create bed base with residential units and hotel
• 13 units of employee/workforce housing
• Up to 25,000 square feet of commercial retail space
• New base mountain facility to replace existing day skier services
• New day use parking structure
• Alternative transportation methods
• Mid-Mountain lodge and maintenance facilities
• Improved Snowmaking facilities
• Forestry Management
• Community Pool
• Ice Skating Rink (seasonal)
• Earthen amphitheater

HVR is now seeking TRPA motions of approval for the following three permits:
• Homewood Fuels Reduction Project (anticipated June 2024)
• Master Plan Revision to the 2011 Master Plan approvals
• Project level permit for the North Base gondola location shift and infrastructure to replace the Madden chair (not ultimate building structure and food and beverage facilities)

Through the proposed Master Plan Revision elements listed below, HVR will enhance the local community and vitality of the West Shore in comparison to the approved Homewood Ski Area Master Plan. The proposed revisions are:

• Shift of the gondola terminal location at the North Base to improve the skier experience
• Add a gondola-car protection structure at mid-mountain
• Refine project architecture
• Reduce building massing
• Open scenic corridors to the mountain and the Lake
• Reduce residential density

HVR says the updated plan provides "significant improvements to the skier experience and the community."

The TRPA June 26 will be held from 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at their offices on Market Street in Stateline, Nev. The agenda and participation instructions can be found HERE.