Greenbelt plans for South Lake Tahoe unveiled, public asked to comment

Now that the Tahoe Valley Area Plan has been approved for the Y area of South Lake Tahoe, plans are moving forward to create a greenbelt area that would improve connectivity, create more biking, walking and play space, as well as implementing stormwater improvements to keep Tahoe blue, and the community green.

During a recent public meeting, conceptual designs were unveiled that include trails to go behind what is now the Crossings (former Factory Outlets). These trails could connect with other trail systems on the South Shore, and keep people off the highway. They are also planning to make some of these areas interpretive and interactive with the users.

The City of South Lake Tahoe is developing the Conceptual Plan and want input from the public on what they want to see the greenbelt accomplishe through a 1- question survey, which can be accessed here: City Survey.

There are several goals of the project, but its intent is to create a distinct recreation and open space area that will also connect the hospital to shopping and recreation areas further out from the Tahoe Valley plan area.

The goals:

• Visual amenity
• Provide a bicycle and pedestrian link from neighborhoods to the Tahoe Valley commercial areas
• Improve trail connectivity
• Connect to and complement commercial uses
• Support the Tahoe Valley Town Center as a recreation hub

Stormwater improvement isn't always the glamourous subject, but it is what is behind many South Lake Tahoe and other basin projects in order to keep sediments out of Lake Tahoe. Trails will meander along the creek that is currently behind The Crossing and McDonalds at the Y. As they install the trails, water quality improvements will also be installed.

McDonalds will be completely gutted and replaced in Spring 2017, and the new plans include a connection from Highway 50 to the greenbelt trails.