Placer County Planning Commission sends amended Palisades project to supervisors

PLACER COUNTY, Calif. - The Placer County Planning Commission recommended approval of Alterra’s development proposal for the Palisades Tahoe property in Olympic Valley with some conditions, much to the disappointment of Sierra Watch, a group of local conservation advocates who want to protect the integrity of the region and its natural resources.

The commissioners will submit to the Board of Supervisors conditions that include removing some of the previous “allowed uses” in the proposed 90,000-square-foot Mountain Adventure Camp facility. A planned water park should be excluded, they said, along with some themed attractions.

Alterra is proposing a large development that will include 850 condo and hotel units with 1,493 new bedrooms, including the hotel and condo-hotel units, fractional ownership, and timeshare units. The main attraction will be the Mountain Adventure Center but the new plans for which are unknown at this point. An estimated 300,000 visitors would come to the area because of the updates that would make Olympic Valley a destination resort that would attract many non-skiers, or those looking to add to their ski vacations. Environmental review estimates the completed project would add 3,300 new daily car trips.

“Of course, we’re disappointed at the Planning Commission’s action today, and that they didn’t listen to calls for a more reduced plan,” says Allison Silverstein of Sierra Watch. “But we’re fired up to see so many people join us to stand up for our mountains, and when it comes to our ongoing commitment to keep Tahoe Truckee True, we’re just getting started.”

Sierra Watch has been the driving force against the planned project that would "make Olympic Valley a construction zone for 25 years." Several residents spoke up against the project in the packed planning commission meeting on Thursday.

"The Commission’s recommendation countered the County’s own Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council, which recommended denial," said Sierra Watch in a press release. "And it contradicted the overwhelming opposition of locals who submitted comments and turned out to ask Alterra to reconsider transforming Tahoe with development of a size and scope the region has never seen."

“We respect and appreciate the Placer County Planning Commissioners’ decision to recommend approval of the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan," said Dee Byrne, Palisades Tahoe president and COO. "It is the right plan for Olympic Valley and stands to provide tremendous benefits to our entire region. Throughout this process, we have listened to the community and incorporated their feedback into the plan. The modifications we agreed to today further reaffirm our good faith intention that the Mountain Adventure Camp will offer uses that align with the culture of the valley.”

The plan also includes new, dedicated on-site workforce housing that will house 300 employees, over 450 new employee parking spaces, new parking structures that will maintain all existing day skier parking spaces, and restoration of Washeshu Creek. To see the plan, visit https://future.palisadestahoe.com/.

The Planning Commission’s role is advisory. The Placer County Board of Supervisors has final authority over the proposed development and will likely take up Alterra’s proposal, for approval or denial, in November.