Historically, what has already been approved?
In the February of 2008 HMR was encouraged by TRPA Governing Board to continue their application to develop a site plan. HMR submitted their plan in May of 2008 and in the summer the Notice for Public Scoping was held both at the TRPA Governing Board meeting and a Placer County meeting. There was great public participation. The Notice of Preparation was completed in September of 2008 by Placer County & TRPA and address details of the plan and the Initial Study was released.
What is the purpose of the Notice of Preparation?
The Notice of Preparation contains a combined Placer County and TRPA identifications of Possible Significant Impacts including Non-Significant Impacts for evaluation. HMR must respond to all the Potential Significant Impacts and either identify if they are unavoidable, may be mitigated to less than significant or cumulative. The Draft EIS/EIR is composed, once Placer County and TRPA have these responses from HMR. Each agency through various departments evaluate the accuracy of mitigation issues. This process is best understood in the writings provided to you by Placer County within this document. We have made it available for you.
Are there major changes to the West Shore General Plan?
Yes, as the plan is presently, it will be necessary to amend the Placer County General Plan of 1998. TRPA Planned Area Statements will need amendments for tourist units, condos and the hotel. HMR is requesting a “Special Height District” for the excessive heights. The use of multi-residential is not an allowable or special use in the General Plan which states: ”The establishment of new uses not listed shall be prohibited within the Plan Area,” the strongest of wording.
FOWS Concerns:
- This Project will severely impact the scenic views that we all cherish on the West Shore.
- The Project proposes three amendments to height, groundwater and the Planned Area Statements (PAS)
- Amendments to PAS 158- zoning will change from single family dwelling to multi-residential.
- The project should be a redevelopment only, no new development on vacant land should be allowed, especially outside of the urban boundaries into the recreational ski area.
- The Traffic Study in the DEIS is flawed and not supported by substantial evidence. Traffic is not measured during peak summer periods and incorrectly assumes that tourists at the resort will not drive to other destinations during the summer period.
- Construction traffic- the DEIS states “trucks removing excavation material will generate up to approximately 146-192 trips per day” (See DEIS, p. 11-81).
- Traffic congestion will be exacerbated in the back up from Tahoe City during the summer and cannot be mitigated. The proposed project will add about 8,431 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) every day during the summer.
- Project fails to articulate a plan to achieve its stated goal of eliminating parking on Highway 89.
- Flawed Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Statement – does not include essential information on land coverage, traffic, building sq. footage, and other information needed to analyze the resulting environmental impacts.
- FOWS has requested Story Poles to visualize the impacts of this development. The proposed building heights are inconsistent with the surrounding community and its character. We feel that the community deserves to have a visualization of the mass and size of the project, especially with the proposed height amendment to allow for building heights up to 77 feet. (See DEIS, p. 10-29)
- The project proposed requires a ten year construction phase – The DEIS states “HMR anticipates a ten (10) year time frame for the build out of the Ski Area Master Plan” (See DEIS, 3-47 and Appendix N “Construction Schedule.”)
- 697 Bedrooms (this does not include townhomes)- If one assumes that there are two guests per bedroom this makes the total number of guests during peak times to be approx. 1400-1500. This is TOO many people at one time for such a small community. (See DEIS, Appendix K-3).
- The omission of an adequate emergency evacuation plan to address the increased number of visitors trying to flee in their cars in the event of a major fire or other emergency situation.
- Proposed project does not meet the Regional Plan’s Water Supply Assurance Requirement. The “Water Supply Assessment” does not identify sufficient water supplies for the project.
What can I do?
The most robust way to get involved is to do so during the Public Comment period for the Draft EIR/EIS and the Final EIR/EIS. We will use our newsletter to communicate upcoming events. Our objective is to keep everyone involved and engaged. What is important, is that you need to know quickly and easily how to get involved. Every resident on the West Shore should understand this project and make it part of a development plan which becomes a “Quality Plan” for the future of the West Shore.
FOWS was an active participant in the Draft EIS/EIR phase.
- Your letters written to Placer County Board of Supervisors and to TRPA Governing Board are extremely valuable.
- Your attendance at both Placer County and TRPA speaks volumes to decision makers!
- We will share with you our experts’ remarks and from the community of Lake Tahoe. FOWS will take the lead in keeping you informed.
- We need to hear from you! What are your concerns? What can we do to help you with this HMR development plan and the Draft EIS/EIR process?
- Finally, you can to continue to support us and keep in touch.