Nighttime parking to be eliminated near "Party Rock" in South Lake Tahoe

Parking areas near popular spots for local young people to hang out after dark, Party Rock and Lookout Rock, will now be off limits at night after an update to City Code was approved Tuesday.

On October 13, 2017, several residents of the upper Saddle Road area met with U.S.
Forest Service, police and fire department staff. During the meeting, neighbors

expressed their frustration over the nighttime gatherings that take place in the area. One part of this meeting included a request by the neighbors to limit nighttime activities at nearby Party Rock.

For decades, local young people have used this recreation place as an area for
outdoor, night time gatherings. Typically, this would be tolerated, to some degree, by the neighborhood, but during the summer/fall of 2017, problems at this location worsened to the degree that residents sought support from City staff.

Since that meeting, City and USFS staff have worked with residents to come up with a plan to squelch the noisy activities and potential fire threats. The City has added speed control signs and fire safety signs, and now it is time for parking control measures.

Upper Saddle Road from Keller Road and Sterling Court, including Adams Way, will be restricted and all parking or standing of vehicles by non-residents is forbidden from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Adams Way is where the Forest Service access gate is located, a popular place for people to park to gain access to Party Rock.

Originally slated to include just Adams Way, residents were concerned restricted parking just in that spot would cause people to park along Upper Saddle and then walk in, or start using Lookout Rock (located at guard rail curve) as a party location.

Residents in the area will get parking permits much as they do for other preferred parking areas in the city limits. Vacation Home Rental parking on the street is already forbidden.

Parking on Adams Way for hikers is still allowed during daytime hours.

The change to the code was unanimous and the item is set for a final reading during the August 7 City Council meeting.