No on Measure N Town Hall meeting draws large crowd in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The two South Shore Lake Tahoe-based Chamber of Commerce groups have joined together with the restaurant association, the lodging association, and the realtors association to fight what they see as an unfair measure on November's ballot.

They held a town hall meeting this week on Measure N, drawing about 150 people to the venue, and another 100 watching remotely.

"We're here to inform you tonight as to what is exactly in this," said South Lake Tahoe Chamber CEO Duane Wallace of Measure N. "It is a tax on all homes not occupied at least 183 days a year. All will have to file paperwork annually, second homeowners and locals alike."

The divisive measure is being fought by both sides of the political spectrum, said Wallace who moderated the evening with Steve Teshara from the Tahoe Chamber. The two men have each resided at Lake Tahoe for 51 years each, and they said they've never seen such a dividing measure.

During the town hall, Teshara and Wallace were joined by Jerry Bindel, representing the lodging community, and Brendon Tureyon from the restaurant community. The four took turns explaining what was in the measure, and what it would mean for South Lake Tahoe.

The vacancy tax would apply a $3000 tax on homes vacant for 183 days a year for the first year, and $6000 every year thereafter. Funds raised through the tax could be spent on housing, transit, roads, as well as legal and administrative fees.

If passed, the revenue from Measure N wouldn't come in until 2027 and future city councils will be the ones to make decisions on funding. Funds would have to be spent the year before that on administrative costs and possible legal fees, so the City would have to pay for those expenses in the meantime, said the moderators.

City Council considered a vacancy tax but voted against pursuing one, so others took it into their own hands.

"Measure N doesn't make sense," said Teshara.

He said real housing solutions take perseverance and hard work, and supplying lots of different kinds of affordable housing including that for low-income, moderate-income, seniors, and those with disabilities.

"You can't throw money at it and it goes away," added Teshara. "A lot of work is already being done," said Teshara. He commended the City of South Lake Tahoe for not following down the tax trail, but to change codes with TRPA and apply for grants to create housing. The City has a new affordable housing complex being built at the Y, Sugar Pine Village, and the first phase opens in October. Lake Tahoe Community College has also joined in housing solutions with a 100-bed dorm under construction on campus. "There are many different tools in the affordable housing toolbox," said Teshara as he also mentioned the local Van Pool transportation system in place for those living off the hill.

Bindel questioned the Measure not outlining how the City will audit the funds coming in with the tax. He said what is known is all homeowners will have to prove they lived in their home for at least one-half of the year and that the City could go back five years to seek proof in an audit.

"It's a huge invasion of your privacy and the huge burden of proof is left up to you," said Bindel.

Tureyon, whose family has owned Lake Tahoe Pizza for 50 years, is the current president of the Restaurant Association.

He said he is concerned about the tax.

Visitors, locals, and second homeowners have all played a role in the success of the local restaurant industry, said Tureyon.

Restaurants have had to survive blizzards, fires, evacuations, and the pandemic. Tureyon said they can plan their businesses around those situations, but more taxes they cannot as the impact is unknown.

"The more we restrict who can live here, the worse it is for local businesses," said Tureyon. "An attack on businesses is also an attack on employees."

"We need to make sure our community makes it go away," said Wallace of Measure N.

Affordable homes being made available for all people through the vacancy tax would be highly unlikely. There is no proof that people will end up renting out instead of paying the tax. Wallace said there is an impression that people will just get the keys handed to them if the measure passes.

The town hall meeting recording:

For more information on No on Measure N, visit https://stopmeasuren.com/. At this time they are not planning any more town hall meetings.