It was a small victory for North Lake Tahoe. Last week, the Placer County Planning Commission voted 5-2 to reject the Martis West proposal. The project would have brought 760 new residential units to the west side of Brockway Summit along Highway 267. A secondary part of the proposal would also have added a 550 site private campground facility.
Several local authorities shared concerns about the plan and it’s impact on traffic in the area, especially during an emergency that required evacuation. Captain Ryan Stonebraker came from the Truckee-based office of the California Highway Patrol. He pointed out that they have a bicycle patrol in North Tahoe because the traffic is already so bad. As he told the Commission, “A bicycle is the only thing that can get around in Kings Beach.”
Beth Kenna spoke on behalf of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District and told the Commission that the district and its Chief “share our constituents’ concerns in regards to the added fire and evacuation challenges”. “We are not confident that our concerns have been adequately addressed by the applicant through the County,” said Kenna.
Hundreds of Tahoe residents attended the hearing, many holding up signs that read, “DENY Martis Valley West.” A stream of locals stepped to the podium to address the Commission. Once again, public input was overwhelming. Every speaker expressed opposition and urged the Commission to deny the project. No one but the developers and their consultants spoke in favor of the project.
While the news of the rejection of the plan is certainly big news, it’s just one small victory. The final decision on the project is still to be decided by the Placer County supervisors. No date has been set for that meeting.
Kudos to the local community and those that came from afar to take a stand against carpetbaggers only looking to make a quick buck. We’ll need to continue to stand together as this project represents just one of many proposals that will change our area forever.
“This is a great demonstration of real leadership – the Commission was willing to take a stand for Tahoe and for Placer County. It’s yet another example of how we can work together to protect the places we love. We look forward to that same commitment when they take up other proposals, including development proposed for nearby Squaw Valley.” – Tom Mooers, Executive Director, Sierra Watch
Finally some good news. Kudos to all who were able to make it happen!
Thanks for standing up for Tahoe!
When we stand together, we can win.
Great work citizens of Tahoe and Sierra Watch! We need to push relentlessly on Placer County to start acting in the public’s interest, not special interests. Fire, traffic and the health of Tahoe need Placer’s attention, before they give away more development permits.
The ONLY development that should be approved for N Tahoe/Truckee is affordable housing. If all development is stopped housing just gets more and more unaffordable. And while the Placer PC got this one right, their decision will make it easier for them to approve the Village–“See, we don’t automatically approve everything.”
Can the supes overrule the PC? And I suspect a court battle is yet to come.
The ONLY development that should be approved for N Tahoe/Truckee is affordable housing. If all development is stopped housing just gets more and more unaffordable.
Bingo. I’d actually be ok with the village if it were going to be a real village with locals living and working there (minus the water park and with parking still available). Martis West doesn’t make sense for any kind of development beyond hiking and biking trails
The supes can overrule the PC. I didn’t read carefully. Oops.
Bingo. I’d actually be all for the village if it were an actual village where locals live and work (minus the water park and with parking still available). But Martis West doesn’t make sense for any development besides hiking and biking trails.
If I never see another pair of yoga pants it’ll be too soon.