How was the Community Vision statement developed?
The vision was crafted incrementally by participants in a series of monthly West Shore community meetings held from May 2009 through September 2009. Draft results were shared with the subscribers of the FOWS newsletter, and input was accepted by e-mail as well as at the meetings. The Community Vision concepts were also presented at multiple homeowner association meetings attended by board members of FOWS.
Download printer-friendly version of the Community Vision [revised 12-09-09]
What is a Community Vision statement?
The vision statement is a tool to highlight residents’ desires for the area. Here’s the context: The original goal of FOWS was to work with TRPA and county staffs to develop a “community plan” – a detailed set of goals and criteria for Homewood and Tahoma. Several other regions of the lake have community plans, including Carnelian Bay and Tahoe City. However, TRPA advised the officers of FOWS that work on a community plan must wait until the TRPA regional plan is completed. Nevertheless, major changes are being planned on the West Shore, so we moved forward with the community vision as our alternate strategy. This will give participating West Shore residents voice to the values and desires for their communities.
Why is the Community Vision important?
From the remarks of residents at our community meetings, it is clear that the West Shore community cares passionately about our area of the lake and its special assets. The community vision statement represents our community’s chance to raise its profile and declare values and priorities for generations to come. It will be communicated to TRPA to inform the emerging TRPA Regional Plan.
What is the relationship of this West Shore Community Vision to regional plans?
It is notable that a many of the points in this West Shore vision statement are echoed in the work products of TRPA’s Regional Vision Summary: Pathways & Forum 2007. This observation validates the work of the participating West Shore citizens, confirming the consistency of our views with many of those adopted in these larger-scale regional planning and visionary efforts. The presentation that follows highlights the relationships between the Community Vision of FOWS and the Regional Vision.
Land Use Development
FOWS envisions preserving and enhancing the character, scale, compatibility and historic significance of the rural quality of life present on the West Shore.
Read this section of the Community Vision Statement
Conservation of Natural Resources
FOWS envisions a West Shore with natural resources protected and restored, and TRPA’s 1982 environmental thresholds attained.
Read this section of the Community Vision Statement
Recreation & Public Access
FOWS envisions broad public awareness and easy access to the rich public amenities and recreational facilities of the West Shore.
Read this section of the Community Vision Statement
Transportation and Public Safety
FOWS envisions reducing the impact from private automobile traffic and parking as well as developing practical and sustainable transportation alternatives.
Read this section of the Community Vision Statement
Social Cohesion: Supporting Community
FOWS envisions a socially cohesive, barrier-free West Shore community in which the large majority of residents and visitors enjoy use of the available social, recreational, and commercial resources.