Category: Bulletin

POTHOLES, TRAFFIC, HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT

Our office has been receiving many, many emails with questions and concerns about the above issues. These are top of our action list, and I wanted to provide you with updates.

ROADS & POTHOLES
The biggest winter since the early 1950s brought our region record breaking moisture and freeze-thaw conditions that have dramatically impacted our State and County roadways. Please have confidence that myself and County staff have repeatedly contacted Caltrans about the condition of our region’s State highways. In addition, Eastern Placer County has 235 miles of roadways from the summit to the lakeside communities which have also taken quite a beating this winter. I’m sure you have noticed that Caltrans and County Roads staff have been working hard this spring plowing the late season snow, patching potholes, and repairing the roads. They are doing their very best to get to all of the repairs done as soon as possible. It’s important to note that they are not able to complete more permanent hot asphalt repairs or reconstruction until the summer construction season – when the temperatures are much warmer. Late winter and springtime road repairs are typically completed with “cold patch” asphalt brought into the area from Roseville or Reno. Looking ahead, the County is planning repair and paving projects on Alpine Meadows Road and Olympic Valley Road this summer as well as smaller, more focused road repairs throughout the region where needed.

TRAFFIC
The surge of peak ski traffic has been the subject of concerns from the residents, public safety officials, businesses, and visitors. A well-attended Joint North Tahoe RAC and Olympic Valley MAC meeting allowed the public to hear about many of the efforts underway to address the short, mid-term, and long-term solutions. While these efforts are important, the immediate situation this winter created extremely high frustrations. As a result the ski areas have announced their plans for implementation of reservations, paid-parking, carpool incentives, and park/ride systems, for next season. Local and State government efforts are also continuing with plans to increase transit, better control intersections, initiate formal studies for Hwy 89 and 267 transit lanes, and make progress on other efforts to reduce dependence on the private automobiles. All these efforts must work together seamlessly for the region to address both winter and summer peak traffic impacts. Our office has been working closely with the County CEO and departments and North Tahoe Community Alliance to commit additional funding and staff resources to address our region’s issues.

HOUSING
Tonight at 6pm at Granlibakken Resort the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council will hear updates on the Dollar Creek Housing Project. It is one of many efforts the County and partners in the region have undertaken to address the crisis of lack of workforce housing. Rarely does a day go by that we don’t hear from a business or community member on the crisis we face in housing our workers. I urge you to attend this important meeting. This is an opportunity to talk about the partnerships with other agencies on addressing housing from several angles. Please find more information below.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The area we are receiving the most public comments about is proposed development projects. Some of these are projects that were previously approved, some that are being modified, and some that are currently being conceived. Compared to other areas of our State and County, we are very fortunate that the development projects in our area are all proposed within existing developed areas and are limited by the incredible overlays of environmental protection and regulation supported by many of us. Nonetheless, the projects proposed (some vetted almost two decades ago) have raised many legitimate concerns. As both your County Supervisor and a member of the TRPA Governing Board I have the capacity and opportunity to work with both County staff and TRPA to make certain they use the public input to guide applicants to addressing the valued and important issues raised. Throughout my career in North Lake Tahoe, I have always sought balance between individual property rights, community benefit, and environmental protection. What does that mean for a specific project? Whether Palisades, Homewood, or any other redevelopment project – I must wait to make my final decision until the end of the formal process. I am also committed to give all sides fair consideration in addition to seeking as much consensus as possible. Some of the comments we have seen make assumptions and statements about my positions that simply aren’t accurate. I assure you that I am committed to upholding my 40-year community service record of seeking reasonable private reinvestment along with both community and environmental improvement. They must go hand in hand.

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Additional News + Resources

JOIN THE DOLLAR CREEK CROSSING HOUSING PROJECT UPDATE AT THE NORTH TAHOE RAC MEETING

WHEN: THURSDAY, APRIL 20 @ 6PM
IN PERSON: Granlibakken Tahoe
VIRTUALLY: via Zoom

County staff will provide an update on the 11.4-acre Dollar Creek Crossing Housing Project located at 3205 and 3225 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City. The proposed project focuses on local workforce housing and proposes up to 30 achievable for-sale single-family homes and up to 80 forrent multi-family apartments. The project is still early in the planning process. This update will address the schematic site layout, vehicular circulation, parking, multi-use trail, building types/locations, environmental review, and the recent CDRA project application. Please note this is only a project update and not a NTRAC Action Item. There will be additional opportunities for community feedback as the project progresses and before any entitlement actions.
LEARN MORE + VIEW FULL AGENDA

TAKE THE 2023 REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY TODAY!

The Mountain Housing Council of Tahoe Truckee (MHC), a project of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, launched a new housing survey for employers and employees as part of an updated assessment of the region’s housing needs. Survey results will provide an update on the key findings of the 2016 and 2021 Truckee North Tahoe Regional Workforce Housing Needs Assessment. The results will also assist MHC partner agencies in updating housing policy and developing appropriate housing strategies specific to our resident, in-commuting, seasonal and unhoused populations. The survey will be open through May 15, 2023, and can be accessed in Spanish and English.
LEARN MORE + TAKE SURVEY

DESIGN PHASE TO BEGIN FOR TAHOE CITY DOWNTOWN ACCESS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

North Lake Tahoe residents will soon be able to conceptualize parking, traffic and pedestrian improvements taking shape in downtown Tahoe City. The Placer County Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Public Works to execute an agreement with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to provide design services for the Tahoe City Downtown Access Improvement Project. The total cost of the contract is $227,903 and will be funded through the North Lake Tahoe Business Improvement District’s grant funds in cooperation with the North Tahoe Community Alliance. LEARN MORE

ZERO EMISSION BUS ROLLOUT PLAN APPROVED, ELECTRIC BUSES COMING TO TAHOE

Placer County will order four electric buses to add to the Tahoe Truckee Area Transit (TART) system as part of the county’s larger effort to convert to a zero emissions fleet by 2040. The Board of Supervisors took action to approve a Zero Emissions Bus Rollout Plan by the Department of Public Works. The plan is designed to meet the California Air Resource Board’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation, which was introduced in 2018 and requires transit systems to convert to zero emission buses by 2040. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY WILL EXPEDITE BUILDING PERMITS FOR STORM DAMAGED STRUCTURES

If you have property that has been damaged during recent storms, the Placer County Building Services Division will expedite building permits for repairs. Building permits are required to repair a roof collapse, wall displacement, damaged overhead electrical service and any damage to electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems connected to a wall. LEARN MORE

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE through April 16, 2023:

PERMIT STATUS:
Total issued permits: 3,250
Total pending applications: 163

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• 2023 renewal cycle began on April 1. Team has been receiving renewal applications along with new permit applications.
• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11, 2022
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until 12am, then sheriff responds)
• STR Enforcement goal = patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

READY FOR SPRING?

March 20th is officially the first day of spring, so let’s hope we see a sustained change in our weather patterns! Spring also marks my 40th anniversary of living and working in North Lake Tahoe and there is no doubt in my mind that this has been one of the most challenging winters on record. Eleven atmospheric rivers have hit California this season bringing us huge snowfalls. Those combined with some of the lowest sustained temperatures on record have created large snow accumulations on and around our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The heavy snow and ice have led to structural issues with buildings and have also significantly undermined our roadways. The Emergency Declarations at the County, the State and now the Federal level will hopefully bring funding to assist in the massive amounts of work to be done on both our State highways and our local roads.

I know that there are always many to thank for their efforts during difficult times, but this year we especially need to express our immense gratitude to our public and private snow removal crews. They have worked countless hours and days to try to keep up with the constant barrage of snow and ice we have experienced. We really couldn’t survive up here without their dedication and effort. While many get impatient, imagine what they have been going through to get our roads and driveways open and passable. Learn about their operations and how they do it. WATCH VIDEO

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Stay Informed. Stay Prepared. Be Ready, Placer!

With more rain and snow on the way, it’s important that community members be prepared and stay informed as conditions can quickly change. Visit the ReadyPlacer Dashboard which includes important updates about the weather, road conditions, power outages and more. LEARN MORE

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Track Placer County snow plows
• Get sandbags
• Snow load advisory
• Sign up for emergency notifications
• Report an emergency: 9-1-1
• Call for information or non-emergency resources: 2-1-1
• Report downed trees, street flooding or road hazards: 530-745-7565

Upcoming Meetings

PLACER COUNTY PARKS COMMISSION MEETING | MARCH 16

The Placer County Parks Commission will be asked to make a recommendation on park dedication fees for a pickleball project at the North Tahoe Regional Park. The Commission will also be hearing a presentation on the NTPUD/TCPUD Recreational Needs Assessment. The meeting will be held at 6pm at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. VIEW AGENDA

JOIN COUNTY OFFICIALS MARCH 21 FOR AN UPDATE ON THE KINGS BEACH WESTERN APPROACH PROJECT

Placer County will be holding an informational meeting on the Kings Beach Western Approach Project at 6pm on March 21, 2023, at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. County staff will present a status update on the project, followed by a question-and-answer session. The meeting will be live-streamed on Zoom for those that are not able to attend in person. The project is designed to improve the existing signal-controlled intersection at state Route 267 and state Route 28 in Kings Beach by replacing it with a roundabout and adding pedestrian and bicycle lane improvements. These changes will improve overall mobility and safety while accommodating all modes of travel, including pedestrians, bikes, vehicles and transit. LEARN MORE

TAHOE BASIN AREA PLAN WORKSHOP | MARCH 23

Please join Placer County for a workshop to learn more about the Tahoe Basin Area Plan proposed amendments. It will be held in person on March 23 from 5-7pm at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. Engage with Placer County staff on the following topics: building form such as height and length, achievable housing, density and TRPA development rights, and town center reinvestment. LEARN MORE

Additional Resources + News

APPLY NOW FOR FINAL COVID-19 RECOVERY FUNDS

This is the last chance for small businesses to apply for up to $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds from the Placer County Business Resource Center, a program of the Office of Economic Development. Businesses located in the unincorporated areas of Placer County that have been open since January 2019 and operate with five or fewer employees can submit an application to the Small Business COVID Recovery program to verify if their business qualifies. Applications will be open until 5pm on March 27. LEARN MORE

PLACER’S LEADING WOMEN FEATURED IN COMSTOCK’S MAGAZINE

In accordance with International Women’s Day on March 8, five of Placer County’s prominent female leaders were featured in the March edition of Comstock’s magazine. Supervisors Cindy Gustafson, Suzanne Jones, Bonnie Gore and Shanti Landon joined County Executive Officer Jane Christenson to share their personal motivations, recent accomplishments and the value they each bring to the communities they serve. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE through March 1, 2023:

PERMIT STATUS:
Total issued permits: 3,263
Total pending applications: 35

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11, 2022
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until 12am, then sheriff responds)
• STR Enforcement goal = patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

INCREDIBLE COMMUNITIES – MANY CHALLENGES

We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas in our country, but what comes with that opportunity are also challenges. In the last week we have had two special meetings. Many community members attended these meetings but for those of you who couldn’t, I wanted to report on the issues that were addressed and the efforts that are being made to address some of the challenges we face.

Special Joint Meeting of the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council and Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council | This meeting was specific to discussing the issues surrounding traffic and transportation in eastern Placer County. During some points in the meeting we had 150 in the room and 184 on Zoom – which was one of the largest participations we have had throughout the County. At the beginning of the meeting, I stated that we hoped to achieve 3 goals:

• first, inform what has been done in efforts to ease congestion, facilitate non-motorized transportation, and expand transit use;
• second, what is actively being worked on for future transportation/transit improvements; and,
• third to hear the MAC/RAC and public’s suggestions and comments.

• NTRAC/OVMAC SURVEY RESULTS
• NTRAC/OVMAC MEETING RECORDING
• VIEW REGIONAL PEAK WINTER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SLIDESHOW
• VIEW SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING – 2023 MEN’S WORLD CUP SLIDESHOW

MUCH HAS BEEN DONE
Many in the public were frustrated because of the length of the presentations, but I hope that all learned that traffic congestion in our region has been worked on for many decades. Much of the transportation funding we get from Federal and State sources relies on per capita (population) allocations and those funds have always been inadequate to address the needs in our region, especially during times of peak visitation. Through the efforts of my predecessors, myself, and many local advocates, the County is committed to addressing funding gaps for service and infrastructure by dedicating much more general fund to Eastern Placer transit systems and capital projects than anywhere else in the County. These general fund dollars are critical to unlocking additional State and Federal funding achieve our transportation vision for the region.

INCREASED PRESSURES
I provided sobering statistics from census data. Since 2000, the Reno region’s population has increased 42% and the Sacramento region’s population has increased 31%. The cumulative result is 1.6 million more people in the day-trip area during the last 20 years, and that trend is continuing. Even without additional growth, there has been a significant surge in winter and summer outdoor recreation patterns nationwide. The major population centers surrounding us are creating increased demand and traffic congestion.

MUCH MORE BEING WORKED ON
Clearly, with the continued growth in drive-up areas combined with the increased demand for both summer and winter recreation, we need to push forward with much more significant programs and projects. During the meeting it was quite helpful to have many from our County staff, CHP, business organizations, and ski area leadership hear directly about the effects from increasing traffic congestion throughout the region including including: public safety response, local and regional mobility, delivery of goods and services, and the ability of our residents to go about their daily lives. The solutions require a united approach between our communities, our businesses, our local and State governments, in order to secure resources and significant funding.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Many of our local agencies and organizations are diligently working on solutions. We will continue to work with our local, State and Federal representatives and agencies, resorts, law enforcement, and community partners to focus on meaningful solutions. I encourage you to reach out to my office with other ideas and suggestions. You can also write to the officials who oversee our State Highways (both SR #89 and #267) to advocate for the resources to address the demands from travelers from other regions. I also encourage you to attend and participate with the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Agency which includes membership from our local agencies, ski areas, and community representatives. Their efforts over the years have supported many of the changes we see in action and on the ground today.

The second meeting was a joint meeting sponsored by Placer County and the North Tahoe Community Alliance | This meeting was the first ever joint workshop of the Capital Projects Advisory (CAP) Committee, TOT Committee, TBID Advisory Committee, and Zone 1 Advisory Committee. These four committees are each tasked with making recommendations on expenditure of either TOT or TBID funding for projects in the region. The meeting was an opportunity for committee members and the community to learn about many of the projects and programs that are currently in place as well as envisioned for the region around workforce housing, transportation, and tourism mitigation. The committees also discussed future grant cycles and collaboration opportunities to help support important projects in the region. LEARN MORE + SURVEY RESULTS
These results are from a resident specific survey and were presented at NTCA’s meeting. These results will be combined with the results from the North Tahoe Community Survey (more information below) to help these committees better understand community priorities.

Additional meetings will be coming forward throughout the year and we will continue to urge your participation in the public process.

Please feel free to reach out to our office with questions.

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Additional News + Resources

NORTH TAHOE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES SURVEY

The Placer County Board of Supervisors and the North Tahoe Community Alliance Board of Directors are committed to the investment of local dollars in North Lake Tahoe for community priorities. Since there is a limited amount of local funds, this survey was created in collaboration between Placer County and the North Tahoe Community Alliance to better understand current priorities. This survey will be open through March 15. TAKE SURVEY

A VISITOR’S GUIDE FOR THE STIFEL PALISADES TAHOE CUP

The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup, a stop on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour, will be at Palisades Tahoe from February 24th to February 26th. To help you prepare for the weekend and have a seamless visit, they have compiled this guide for how to visit Palisades Tahoe on the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup weekend. LEARN MORE

HOW YOU CAN HELP HONOR OUR FALLEN PEACE OFFICERS

Our Board of Supervisors this week approved a $50,000 contribution on behalf of our residents to help fund the proposed Fallen Deputy Monument at the Auburn Justice Center – honoring the nine Sheriff’s Office peace officers who’ve given their lives in service. There’s still a need for more funding. LEARN MORE

MARK WATTS APPOINTED TO PLACER PLANNING COMMISSION

The Placer County Board of Supervisors acted on Tuesday to appoint North Auburn resident Mark Watts to the Placer County Planning Commission, representing District 5. Watts has served locally on the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council and has decades of experience as a lobbyist and governmental relations consultant in Sacramento with a focus in the areas of transportation, public policy and governance. He is currently co-principal at Watts & Hartmann LLC providing lobbying services and strategic political advice along with day-to-day management of the firm. LEARN MORE

Mark is a highly qualified professional with decades of experience in state government as well as working with local governments on transportation issues. As chair of the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council, Mark demonstrated his respect for the public process and thoughtful approach on a variety of planning issues. Mark and his wife have residences in Auburn and Tahoe and he’s very knowledgeable of the issues facing our foothill and Sierra communities.

PLACER APPROVED TO APPLY FOR UP TO $3.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DUE TO IMPACT FROM WINTER STORMS

Placer County is now included in a winter storm disaster declaration approved by President Joe Biden. This action brings much-needed financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, saving taxpayers up to $3.8 million. Under the declaration, Placer County, along with its cities and special districts, will all be eligible for public assistance, covering qualified emergency work and repairing or replacing disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY IS FIRST COUNTY TO RECEIVE STATE’S PROHOUSING DESIGNATION

Placer County has been named the first county in California to receive the state’s Prohousing Designation, a distinction that provides Placer and its private development partners a competitive edge in obtaining grant funding toward affordable housing, workforce housing, sustainable community development and infrastructure projects. LEARN MORE

COME DRIVE FOR PLACER COUNTY TART

There is no experience required. We can train you from the ground up and pay you during training as well as offer excellent benefits:

• Health, Vision, and Dental for FT employees
• Additional $1K/mo Tahoe Branch Assignment
• Premium pay for eligible full-time employees
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree health insurance once vested
• Tuition Reimbursement

It’s time to think about a career you can retire from.
APPLY HERE + WATCH VIDEO

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE through February 1, 2023:

PERMIT STATUS:
Total issued permits: 3,162
Total pending applications: 141

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:
Number of Complaints: 
Complaint Type:
Noise: 121 | Trash: 94 | Parking: 69 | Other: 21 | Occup.: 13 | No STR Permit: 12

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11, 2022
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until midnight, then sheriff responds)
• STR Enforcement goal = patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

PLANNING PROCESSES AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Happy 2023! As we start the New Year off with some record and near-record storms, we are also looking forward to a busy year ahead. In addition to working on numerous County projects, programs and services, there will be a variety of public meetings and workshops on previous private development proposals that are returning for deliberations, and newer proposals just starting the public process. Depending upon the significance of the project the process may involve multiple public meetings before the municipal advisory councils (MAC’s or RAC’s), the Placer County Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors. If the project is located in the Tahoe Basin it can also include public meetings with TRPA’s Advisory Planning Commission, TRPA committees, and the TRPA Governing Board. This process can be confusing to the public given the number of opportunities for public involvement as the projects come forward. If you have questions on the specific process for a project or proposal, our office can help guide you to the correct staff member.

Relative to the Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan project, many have written our office thinking that imminent decisions were being made. I wanted to clarify that the current timeline is for public comments on the Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (PRDEIR), which are being accepted until January 30 at 5pm. A meeting was also held at the Planning Commission on January 19 to receive verbal comments on the PRDEIR. The meeting had roughly 100 online participants and roughly 20 verbal comments were provided. After January 30, staff will evaluate the amount of time required to produce the Partially Revised Final EIR (PRFEIR), which will include responses to all comments received on the PRDEIR and any supplemental analyses or revisions to the PRDEIR. Staff anticipates the PRFEIR will be circulated in early summer 2023 and further hearings to decide the project will follow after, final dates TBD. For the most current and up to date information, please check the project webpage here.

Other meetings on other projects will be coming forward throughout the year and we will continue to urge your participation in the public process specific to each.

Please feel free to reach out to our office with questions.

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Board of Supervisors Meeting in North Lake Tahoe

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 9AM | North Tahoe Event Center

The Board of Supervisors meeting on January 24 includes a number of items that are specific to or impact Eastern Placer County, including:

• Dissolution of Zone of Benefit No. 187 in County Service Area 28
• (Northstar at Tahoe – Retreat Subdivision)
• North Lake Tahoe Resort Association Community Vitality and Economic Sustainability Program
• Capital Projects Advisory Committee FY 2022-23 Capital Project Recommendations
• Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee
• Minor Amendment to Article 9.42: Short Term Vacation Rentals Ordinance
• Revised Tourist Accommodation Unit Transfer Agreement for the Tahoe City Lodge Project
• Truckee Fire Protection District Capital Improvement Plan and Fire Mitigation Fee Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-23

[VIEW FULL AGENDA] | [ACCESS ZOOM MEETING HERE]

Housing Program/Project Updates

Workforce Housing Preservation Program:

• 3 grants made/homes purchased and restricted for local workers
• 33 local workers have qualified for the program and are actively looking for homes

Lease to Locals Program:

• 256 total leads
• Properties awarded grants = 16
  • # of people housed = 38
  • # of bedrooms = 32
  • Avg property rent = $2,466/month
  • Total incentive cost = $171,500

Housing Project Updates:

• Hopkins Village
  • 40-unit for-sale development for local workers earning 180% Area Median Income
  • Units still available for purchase
• Meadow View Place
  • 56-unit affordable housing rentals, fully leased
  • Opened December 2021

Housing Regulatory Updates:

• Zoning Amendments
  • Single Room Occupancy amendment
  • December 2020
  • Countywide Zoning Ordinance housing amendments (allows tiny houses)
  • BOS adoption June 2022
  • Tahoe Basin Area Plan Updates targeted at economic sustainability of town centers, streamlining achievable housing
  • Anticipating adoption Spring 2023
• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
  • Tahoe Living Working Group coordination
  • Increasing flexibility in height, density, coverage, mitigation fees, streamlining

Dollar Creek Crossing Updates:

The proposed Dollar Creek Crossing housing project would support the construction of much-needed housing for the local workforce. The project is proposed on the 11.4-acre Nahas property, which was purchased by the County in October 2019 with financial support from the Truckee Tahoe Airport District. This County-owned property is located near schools, transit routes, trails, and other services making it an ideal location for members of the local workforce and their families. If you would like to stay updated as this project evolves, important project updates will be posted on this website. If you would like to receive email updates, please join here.

Eastern Placer News + Resources

APPLY NOW FOR PAIR OF OPEN CAPITAL PROJECTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEATS

Applications are open for two seats on the Capital Projects Advisory Committee including an at-large seat selected by Placer County officials and a seat representing the lodging community selected by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. Both seats are open to the public, and residents with experience in housing, healthcare, arts and culture, and lodging are encouraged to apply. Applications are due January 25, 2023. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM DISTRICT 5 FOR OPEN PLANNING COMMISSION SEAT

Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson is seeking applications from experienced, engaged residents within Supervisorial District 5 to fill an open Placer County Planning Commission seat. Acting as the principal advisory body to the Placer County Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission holds public hearings and makes recommendations on proposed general plans, studies and zoning text amendments, reviews and makes decisions on major land development proposals and encourages citizen leadership and participation in the planning process. LEARN MORE

COME DRIVE FOR PLACER COUNTY TART

There is no experience required. We can train you from the ground up and pay you during training as well as offer excellent benefits:

• Health, Vision and Dental for full-time employees
• Additional $1K/mo Tahoe Branch Assignment
• Premium pay for eligible full-time employees
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree health insurance once vested
• Tuition Reimbursement

It’s time to think about a career you can retire from.
APPLY HERE + WATCH VIDEO

$2,500 MICRO BUSINESS GRANTS AVAILABLE!

The MicroBiz Grant program is now open on a first-come, first-served basis. Small businesses in Placer County that missed the first round and second round should not hesitate to submit an application to receive $2,500. The Micro Biz grant is for small business owners whose business revenue was less than $50,000 in 2019. To qualify, businesses must have five or fewer employees and have been operating since the end of 2019. Please note, that there are additional eligibility requirements. You are urged to review the simple requirements prior to submitting an application. LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE through January 1, 2023:

PERMIT STATUS:
Total issued permits: 3,036
Total pending applications: 240

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:
Number of Complaints: 302
Complaint Type:
Noise: 120 | Trash: 84 | Parking: 59 | Other: 14 | Occup.: 13 | No STR Permit: 9

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11, 2022
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until midnight, then sheriff responds)
• STR Enforcement goal = patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

LOOKING INTO 2023 AND BEYOND….

At this time of year we reflect on our blessings, the year past, and look to the future.

As we close out 2022, the County has many important efforts underway which will continue into next year and beyond.

New services like TART Connect, Mountaineer, and expanded trash removal are able to continue thanks to the support of the business community in assessing themselves through the tourism business improvement districts (TBID) that have been passed in both Olympic Valley and North Tahoe region-wide. The TBID’s have also allowed work to advance on a number of critical transportation and trail projects in the region including: the completion of the Fanny Bridge project, the new Kings Beach Western Roundabout, North Tahoe Trail, and the continuation of the trail from Olympic Valley to Truckee. Other efforts such as parking management and transit lanes on highways 89 and 267 are longer-term but critically important. While these projects have other County sources of funding, the transient occupancy tax and TBID revenue is helping to move these more quickly.

The County, along with all of our partners at the Mountain Housing Council, continue our dedicated focus on workforce housing efforts to expand several programs. We have learned from other jurisdictions that we must have multiple solutions and approaches. Currently, we have efforts underway to build new housing, “unlock” existing housing, support accessory dwelling units, streamline projects, and assist local workers in purchasing homes. We continue to study other jurisdictions to ensure we are learning from other areas the most effective solutions to this crisis.

Additionally, our planning staff have been working on efforts to assist and incentivize the needed revitalization of the Town Centers of Tahoe City and Kings Beach. They have proposed Tahoe Basin Area Plan amendments to achieve these goals. The proposals have been generating much interest and quite a diversity of opinions. As staff address the concerns expressed and attempt to balance the approach, it is important for continued public involvement. The amendments will be discussed in numerous meetings in 2023, including the County and TRPA. I encourage you to attend and participate in those meetings and workshops. In addition to our regular announcements, we will make sure to announce those dates and times through this newsletter circulation.

Every day, I’m grateful to be surrounded by the majestic mountain terrain of the Sierra Nevada and the pristine water of beautiful Lake Tahoe. l, like most who live in and/or visit this treasured location, want to protect this amazing environment. At the same time, I also feel a strong sense of responsibility to support the long-term sustainability of the communities we call home. These priorities do not need to be competing interests. I believe our regional goals and passion to protect this sensitive environment can be achieved through all of us working together to encourage responsible reinvestment, housing solutions, and support for our local businesses.

Wishing you the very best throughout the holiday season & the new year,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO SHOW LOVE FOR LOCAL AND “SHOP PLACER” THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Placer County leaders are encouraging residents to give back to their community this holiday season as they roll out their third-annual Shop Placer campaign. The “Shop Placer, Show Love for Local” campaign is a regional effort of local chambers of commerce, cities and towns to band together and encourage Placer County residents to shop local and support their favorite businesses and restaurants whenever possible. LEARN MORE

VILLAGE AT PALISADES TAHOE SPECIFIC PLAN PARTIALLY REVISED DRAFT EIR RELEASED

Placer County has released for public review a partially revised draft environmental impact report for the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan, formerly known as the Village at Squaw Valley. The Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan proposes an 85-acre resort village located in northeastern Placer County to redevelop the existing ski resort base area at the west end of Olympic Valley. An 8.8-acre parcel known as the east parcel is located 1.3 miles east of the resort near the entrance to Olympic Valley. LEARN MORE

OLYMPIC VALLEY PARK IS NOW OPEN AS A SNOW PARK

The Olympic Valley Park, located at the entrance to the valley, is now open as a snow park, offering a free and safe spot to make a snowman, exercise or take a winter stroll. The park offers ample space to play, a plowed bike path that stretches from the park to Palisades Tahoe, free parking and public restrooms. Remember to pack out any trash and leave only snow prints. LEARN MORE

PLACER AWARDED $2M GRANT TO DEVELOP BIOMASS FACILITY IN THE NORTH TAHOE REGION

Placer County has been awarded $2 million in grant funding made possible by CAL FIRE to develop the Cabin Creek biomass facility in North Lake Tahoe. Biomass facilities can create renewable energy by burning wood scraps left over from forestry operations or residential defensible space clearing, helping remove a hazardous source of fuel for wildfires. They also generate heat and a byproduct called biochar that could be used as fertilizer and in water filtration processes. LEARN MORE

Thank you, CAL FIRE. Keeping our Tahoe forest safe and healthy is paramount. This funding gets us closer to our goal, which can’t happen soon enough.

YOU’RE INVITED TO HELP SHAPE PLACER COUNTY’S FUTURE

Placer County is beginning an update of its General Plan – a 25-year road map that will shape the future for land use, growth and development, housing, circulation, health & safety, open space, natural resources, sustainability and economic development. Visit the webpage for information on community workshops, upcoming meetings, documents prepared for the General Plan update, and opportunities to be involved in the process and provide feedback on this very important project. We invite you to help shape the future of Placer County. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY CERTIFIES NOVEMBER 8 ELECTION RESULTS

The Placer County Elections Office is proud to announce that the results of the Nov. 8 General Election are final and certified. Discover which measures passed, winning candidates, voter turnout and much more by visiting our website. LEARN MORE

SHORT TERM RENTAL REMINDER

All short-term rental guests are required to comply with Placer County noise, parking and trash disposal ordinances. The county operates a 24/7 hotline for any complaints, call 530-448-8003 to report a violation. Be sure to include your name, phone number, address of the property you are reporting and a description of the violation occurring. LEARN MORE

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE through December 1, 2022:

PERMIT STATUS:
Total issued permits: 2932
Total pending applications: 341

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:
Number of Complaints: 188
Complaint Type:
Noise: 85 | Trash: 51 | Parking: 30 | Occup.: 9
Other: 8 | No STR Permit: 3

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until midnight; sheriff responds after midnight)
• STR Enforcement goal = patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

A TIME OF GRATITUDE

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, there is so much to be grateful for… our health, our wellbeing, and the recent snow that has covered our mountains.

Please join me in thanking those who contribute so much to our safety and well-being and support our communities, including our: veterans and current service members; first responders in fire and law enforcement; health care professionals, hospitals, clinics, and health department; our educators and other public servants; the many incredible non-profits; small businesses; and our family, friends, and neighbors.

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

NTRAC: TAHOE BASIN AREA PLAN AMENDMENTS

On Wednesday, November 9 we held a Special North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council Meeting to discuss the Tahoe Basin Area Plan amendments. The Tahoe Basin Area Plan is an important guiding document for reinvestment and redevelopment in the Tahoe Basin. The NTRAC received a presentation on the proposed Tahoe Basin Area Plan amendments by staff.

If you would like to learn about the proposed changes, please visit the website. You may also tune into the recording from the November 9 NTRAC meeting, CLICK HERE. If you would like to attend a meeting, I encourage you to join us:

• NTRAC Action: November 30, 2022
• Planning Commission Action (tentative): December 8, 2022
• BOS Action: TBD January – March 2023

TAHOE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY GOVERNING BOARD SELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Following a national search and public evaluation process, The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board voted unanimously on Thursday, October 27 to offer the position of Executive Director to Julie Regan. Regan, a current TRPA Deputy Director, has held an executive role at the agency since 2003. READ MORE

“We are pleased by the range of candidates that applied and how thorough, inclusive, and open the process has been,” said TRPA Board Chair and Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “The board feels strongly Julie is the best person to lead the agency as it confronts emerging and persistent threats to Lake Tahoe and our communities. I congratulate her and look forward to reaching a final agreement.”

GET THE LATEST ELECTION RESULTS FOR RACES IN PLACER

The general election might be over but ballot counting continues in Placer County. Final, certified results – including provisional ballots needing verification and eligible mail-in ballots not yet received – will be posted within 30 days. We’d also like to give a special thanks to all of our poll workers for volunteering their time, helping voters and enduring a cold and snowy night.

• Placer County election results are updated every Tue/Fri. View results
• Placer County Clerk-Recorder-Registar of Voters Ryan Ronco gives an overview of the ballot count process after the polls close. Watch video
• Serve as a poll worker for the next election! Learn more

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS

The Board of Supervisors meetings held on October 25 and November 8 had a number of items that were specific to or impact Eastern Placer.

OCTOBER 25:

• Costs of Nuisance Abatement – 1615 River Road Bridge
• Former Tahoe City Fire Station 51 | Non-Exclusive Right to Negotiate Agreement with Climate and Wildfire Institute, Inc.
• North Tahoe/Eastern Placer Priority Projects
• State Route 89 Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project | Approve Funding and Budget Amendment
• Capital Projects Advisory Committee
• Short-Term Rental Program Implementation | Update

[VIEW FULL AGENDA] | [VIEW RECORDING HERE]

NOVEMBER 8:

• Proposed Renewal of the Olympic Valley | Alpine Meadows Microtransit District
• Rescission of the Village at Palisades Specific Plan Project Approvals
• Washoe County TART Connect Zone Winter 2022-23 and Spring 2023 | Contract Amendment No. 1, Contract No. 001307 with the Truckee / North Tahoe Transportation Management Association

[VIEW FULL AGENDA] | [VIEW RECORDING HERE]

NEW USES FOR OLD FIRE STATION IN TAHOE CITY UNDER DISCUSSION

The Board of Supervisors approved a preliminary non-exclusive agreement to discuss a potential partnership with the Climate and Wildfire Institute, which has expressed a desire to locate its headquarters in Tahoe City. READ MORE

OPEN BURNING RESUMES FOR PERMISSIBLE BURN DAYS

A free medication take-back event will take place at many locations across Placer County and the Town of Truckee in Nevada County on Saturday, Oct. 29. In the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, the Town of Truckee is recognizing this national take-back effort with a drop-off location at the Gateway Shopping Center in Truckee from 10am-2pm. LEARN MORE

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE through November 1, 2022:

PERMIT STATUS:
Issued permits: 2761
Total applications received: 3224

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:
Complaint Type:

• Noise: 96
• Trash: 51
• Parking: 41
• Occup.: 6
• Other: 17

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until midnight; sheriff responds after midnight)
• STR Enforcement goal = out patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE 

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

REVITALIZING AND REDEVELOPING OUR TOWN CENTERS

Ten years ago, in December 2012, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) adopted the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan following years of negotiations and a recommitment of both the states of California and Nevada to the future of Lake Tahoe. The plan was purposeful in its efforts to spur environmental redevelopment in the Town Centers around the Basin, supporting walkable, bike-able communities and addressing significant water quality issues resulting from old development patterns and aging infrastructure.

After the TRPA Regional Plan was adopted, Placer County set to work on its Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) as the important guiding document for development and redevelopment in the Tahoe Basin. Since the adoption of the TBAP by the Placer County Board of Supervisors on December 6, 2016 and by the TRPA Governing Board on January 25, 2017, no new projects have been developed in either the Tahoe City or Kings Beach town centers.

The proposed amendments are designed to attract environmentally beneficial investment in the form of redevelopment, small-scale new business start-ups, and new lodging in town centers (to offset a proposed one to one decrease in short-term rentals for each new lodging unit constructed), while also facilitating new workforce housing development by addressing and streamlining those permitting processes in certain infill locations. In addition, they are targeted at economic development and housing to catalyze revitalization and redevelopment of the Town Centers, boost economic development, and create workforce housing needed to produce a year-round economy. The amendments are a proposed solution to three concerns:

1. the lack of private investment in our Town Centers since the adoption of the area plan in 2017, particularly the lack of new redevelopment projects and new lodging (e.g. hotels) within the Tahoe Basin area, and
2. the lack of workforce housing development. Both problems are due to the high cost of development and permitting processes, and
3. a declining Placer County Tahoe Basin year-round populations (a loss of ~2,000 full time residents since 2000)

The amendments were informed by years of ongoing feedback from the Tahoe City Downtown Association and North Tahoe Business Association, the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, the Mountain Housing Council, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Housing and Community Revitalization Working Group, small business local resident entrepreneurs/startups, architecture/design and development firms both local and statewide, and customers and applicants to the County’s Community Development Resource Agency, as well as the Placer County Tahoe Basin Economic Sustainability Analysis prepared by economic firm BAE and the Envision Tahoe analysis prepared by the Tahoe Prosperity Center.

If you would like to learn more and track changes, please visit the Tahoe Basin Area Plan website. If you would like to get involved, I encourage you to join us at an upcoming outreach meeting (tentative schedule):

• NTRAC Workshop: November 9, 2022
• NTRAC Action: November 30, 2022
• Planning Commission Action: December 8, 2022
• BOS Action: January 24, 2022

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Board of Supervisors Meetings in North Lake Tahoe

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 AT 4PM

Site visit in the Olympic Valley area to view County park facilities and trails, existing and proposed.

[VIEW FULL AGENDA]

•••
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT 9AM

Resort at Squaw Creek at Olympic Valley

The Board of Supervisors meeting on October 25 includes a number of items that are specific to or impact Eastern Placer County, including:

• Costs of Nuisance Abatement – 1615 River Road Bridge

• Former Tahoe City Fire Station 51 | Preliminary Agreement with Climate and Wildfire Institute, Inc.

• North Tahoe/Eastern Placer Priority Projects

• Rescission of the Village at Palisades Specific Plan Project Approvals

• State Route 89 Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project | Approve Funding and Budget Amendment

• Capital Projects Advisory Committee

• Short-Term Rental Program Implementation | Update

[VIEW FULL AGENDA]
[ACCESS ZOOM MEETING HERE]

Eastern Placer News + Updates

PLACER GEARS UP FOR NOVEMBER 8 GENERAL ELECTION

The Placer County Elections Office is reminding residents about important dates and information regarding the Nov. 8 general election. Voter information guides and vote-by-mail ballots have been issued and the Elections Office has added weekend hours prior to the election to assist county residents. Visit our Elections Office website to learn about voter registration, volunteering as a poll worker and much more! READ MORE

PALISADES AT TAHOE SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE

The Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan (formerly known as the Village at Squaw Valley Specific Plan) project was approved by the Board of Supervisors on November 15, 2016 and was subsequently litigated. The appellate court determined the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analysis had deficiencies. An informational presentation was provided to both the Olympic Valley MAC and the North Tahoe RAC on the history of the 2016 project, status of the lawsuit, and potential revisions to the EIR to address the deficiencies. LEARN MORE

OVMAC PRESENTATION | NTRAC PRESENTATION

RESCISSION OF MARTIS VALLEY WEST PARCEL SPECIFIC PLAN

The Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan (MVWPSP) proposed residential and commercial uses on a portion of the West Parcel, and would permanently preserve the East Parcel as open space. On Tuesday, September 13 the Board of Supervisors conducted a public hearing on the rescission of the Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan project approvals from October 11, 2016. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY TO ISSUE LIBRARY CARDS TO EVERY TAHOE TRUCKEE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT

Every student in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District will be issued a new Placer County Library card thanks to the Placer County Board of Supervisors’ approval of the new initiative at their September 27 meeting. Beginning in the coming months, TTUSD students, kindergarten through 12th grade, will have access to Placer County Library resources, including print and digital resources. LEARN MORE

LIBRARY FUND SUPPORTS ADDITIONAL HOURS & INCREASED STAFF/PROGRAMMING IN KINGS BEACH & TAHOE CITY

Due to increased tax revenues, there is capacity in the Library Fund to support additional open hours and increased staff and programming at the Kings Beach and Tahoe City libraries. Both libraries will see an increase of 10.5 open hours per week to match current open hours in the Auburn, Colfax, Granite Bay, and Rocklin locations: Tuesday-Thursday from 10am-6pm and Friday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. Current part-time library staff (30 hours per week) in Kings Beach and Tahoe City will transition to full-time. In addition, two Library Specialists will be recruited for Kings Beach and Tahoe City, providing the ability to increase library programming including community outreach, Baby Lapsit, Toddler Time, literacy services and assessments, plus technology classes and trainings. LEARN MORE

FREE MEDICATION TAKE-BACK ON OCTOBER 29

A free medication take-back event will take place at many locations across Placer County and the Town of Truckee in Nevada County on Saturday, Oct. 29. In the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, the Town of Truckee is recognizing this national take-back effort with a drop-off location at the Gateway Shopping Center in Truckee from 10am-2pm. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW ANTI-LITTER CAMPAIGN TO KEEP NORTH LAKE TAHOE CLEAN

Placer County launched a new public awareness campaign to help keep trash and litter from polluting Kings Beach and Tahoe City in North Lake Tahoe. Using eye-catching visuals, the campaign encourages people to toss all their trash into one public bin, which is consistent with the successful One-Big-Bin program. LEARN MORE

This awareness campaign is increasingly important as our North Tahoe communities have experienced a major uptick in litter pollution. It’s important for people, especially visitors, to understand that they can toss trash and recycling into any trash can, and we’ll take care of the rest.

[CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO]

Wildfire Updates + Resources

MOSQUITO FIRE IS LARGEST IN PLACER COUNTY HISTORY

CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Chief Brian Estes and Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo recounted the details of the two-week long Mosquito Fire fight and massive evacuation effort during the October 11 Board of Supervisors meeting. WATCH VIDEO

FALL IS STILL FIRE SEASON – PLEASE STAY PREPARED & INFORMED!

Be fire safe and vigilant with your actions and evacuation plans. SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT – it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.

IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES:

• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Ready for Wildfire webpage
• Homeowner’s checklist
• Defensible space information
• Prepare for quick evacuation
• Build an emergency kit

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2022:

PERMIT STATUS:
Issued permits: 2562
Total applications received: 3176

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:
Complaint Type:

• Noise: 96
• Trash: 51
• Parking: 41
• Occup.: 6
• Other: 17

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new Short Term Rental ordinance since March 11
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until midnight; sheriff responds after midnight)
• STR Enforcement goal = out patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE 

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

HAPPY AUGUST!

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

HELP FIND KIELY RODNI

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Kiely Rodni. Our local, regional and Federal agencies have committed all available resources to the effort. We are so very thankful for the countless hours of incredible volunteer effort to assist in locating her. Please make sure to provide any information you might have: call (530) 581-6320 Option 7 or email Sheriff_TahoeInvestTips@placer.ca.gov. Submit photos or videos that may assist the investigation here. You can remain anonymous.
VISIT FINDKIELY.COM

PLACER CREATES NORTH TAHOE TRUCKEE BIOMASS TASK FORCE

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to create the North Tahoe Truckee Biomass Task Force – a regional effort to reduce catastrophic forest wildfires while reducing local green waste tipping fees for customers and agencies. A major goal of the task force is the establishment of biomass facilities. These facilities can create renewable energy or heat by converting wood scraps left over from forest clearing and defensible space efforts, which then help remove hazardous sources of fuel from wildfires. LEARN MORE

It is absolutely clear that there is a massive need for a biomass facility in North Lake Tahoe. I am excited to see all of our North Lake Tahoe local governments and the Community Foundation working together to find solutions.

2022 ENVISION TAHOE ECONOMIC SUMMIT | SEPTEMBER 7

WHEN: Wednesday, September 7 @ 9am
WHERE: Gralibakken Tahoe

Lake Tahoe may be made up of many communities, but we are one lake and one regional economy, so what affects some of us, affects all of us. The annual Tahoe Economic Summit is an opportunity to catalyze change and take action for the benefit of our regional economy while supporting our community, quality of life and environment. The theme for 2022 is “Envision Tahoe.” Due to the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, plus the recent Caldor Fire, it is more critical than ever to look at economic diversification and recovery. Government leaders, local residents, business owners, young professionals, start-up companies, developers, investors, and entrepreneurs are all encouraged to attend to help us build a resiliency strategy that will benefit Lake Tahoe and all our communities. LEARN MORE

TAHOE ONE BIG BIN PROGRAM

You Toss. We Sort. During covid, there was a large surge in trash and litter within the Tahoe public area, including overflowing public solid waste bins. In order to find creative ways to solve this issue, we moved forward with hiring the supplemental waste services of the non-profit Clean Tahoe and gained approval for rebranding the public solid waste bins to showcase Placer County’s One-Big Bin program. This simple rebranding will encourage trash and recyclables to be placed in both sides of the bin, which is consistent with the One-Big Bin program where both trash and recycling are commingled upon pickup and then sorted at our Eastern Regional Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Watch this short video and see for yourself! This shift will instantaneously increase our solid waste capacity by fully utilizing the “Recycle” side of the public bins. Our team has worked hard to design the rebranding with the Tahoe Fund’s Take Care Campaign to keep messaging similar within the region. We are happy to announce this rebranding is currently being installed and you can enjoy the freedom of allowing Placer County to take care of the recycling for you. LEARN MORE

Wildfire Updates + Resources

FIRE SEASON IS UPON US – STAY PREPARED AND INFORMED!

Be fire safe and vigilant with your actions and evacuation plans. SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT – it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.

IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES:

• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Ready for Wildfire webpage
• Homeowner’s checklist
• Defensible space information
• Prepare for quick evacuation
• Build an emergency kit

SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE

PERMIT STATUS:
Issued permits: 2,051
Total applications received: 3,082

STR ENFORCEMENT/COMPLIANCE:
Complaint Type:

• Noise: 45
• Trash: 25
• Parking: 21
• Occup.: 3
• Other: 8

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Team has been enforcing new STR ordinance since March 11
• Initially focused on enforcement of operational standards
• STR Enforcement hours – 7 days/nights a week including holidays (until midnight; sheriff responds after midnight)
• STR Enforcement goal = out patrolling 80% of shift time

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM WEBSITE 

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

PUBLIC SERVICES IN EASTERN PLACER COUNTY

As a 40-year resident of Tahoe City, I have been fortunate to spend many years volunteering with incredible community members to improve our communities in Eastern Placer County. When the opportunity to serve on the Board of Supervisors presented itself, I changed my career plans and sought this office to ensure fair representation for Eastern Placer County. While we have a number of issues in common with our fellow county residents, we also have unique needs and concerns.

In service,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor

HONORING LARRY SEVISON | JUNE 27 DEDICATION CEREMONY

On June 27 we gathered to honor a legacy of volunteer public service that started in 1971! Past and present leaders from the Placer County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Tahoe Conservancy, North Tahoe Public Utility District, Tahoe City Public Utility District, and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, gathered with Larry and Patsy Sevison and their family, to recognize Larry’s 50+ years of service to Placer County and the Lake Tahoe region. Many of those people shared stories of Larry’s service through the decades. Each story had a common theme – that Larry’s humble, kind, and thoughtful leadership set an example for all of us to learn from and to strive for throughout our lives. WATCH DEDICATION VIDEO

PLACER EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR TAHOE-AREA DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Local workers at all income levels looking to buy a home in North Lake Tahoe are now eligible for down payment assistance through Placer County’s Workforce Housing Preservation Program. Launched in 2021, the program pays participants to deed restrict their properties so that only local workers can purchase or rent them, providing home buyers a funding source that could be used for a down payment or renovations. LEARN MORE

ON-DEMAND TRANSIT IN TAHOE GAINS HIGH MARKS

On-demand transit service in eastern Placer County is receiving high marks for its performance and is viewed as a major reason why the Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transportation service has seen a 20% increase in ridership over pre-COVID numbers. LEARN MORE

Given the high price of gas and the public’s interest in protecting our environment, I am pleased to hear that our residents are taking advantage of this free transportation service, I am not surprised by the excellent reviews. I regularly hear from residents who share that they use the service and think it’s great!

TREE MORTALITY ON DONNER SUMMIT, AND THROUGHOUT OUR REGION

On July 7, I joined a tour with Truckee Fire, CalFire, Placer Fire, and Placer County’s Regional Forest Health Coordinator to see firsthand the developing issue of large tree deaths on Donner Summit, especially with the red fir around Serene Lakes. The trees are drought-stressed and then vulnerable to the bark beetle. Many have already died and more are showing signs of infestation. Unfortunately we expect that this is only the beginning resulting in significant tree mortality in the area. We discussed the need for immediate steps to protect our forests and our communities. Staff is working on developing action plans and funding requests to address this critical problem. LEARN MORE ABOUT FOREST HEALTH

SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR STATE HIGHWAY 28 GAS LINE REPLACEMENT WORK

Traffic Control to be Restricted During Peak Hours

Caltrans is alerting motorists of a schedule change starting next week for traffic-interfering work on State Highway 28 for a utility project. Southwest Gas and its contractor, Q&D Construction, are working on a gas line replacement project between Tahoe City and Kings Beach. Beginning Monday, July 18, both lanes of Highway 28 from Sahara Drive to Onyx Street will be open from 3-7pm to avoid delays during peak traffic. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7pm Sunday to 3 p.m. Monday, Monday through Thursday from 7am-3pm and from 7pm Thursday to 7am Friday. No work is scheduled on the weekend. Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes during one-way traffic control. Caltrans issues construction updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3, on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3 and on the its online lane closure reports. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play. LEARN MORE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS | RECAP OF JUNE 27 & 28

The Board of Supervisors Meetings on June 27 and 28 included several items that are specific to or impact Eastern Placer County….

• Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget
• Tahoe Justice Center and Tahoe City Courthouse | Memorandum of Understanding with Judicial Council of California
• North Lake Tahoe Resort Association | Annual Report & Destination Stewardship
• Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit Connect Pilot Program
• Proposed Revisions to Workforce Housing Preservation Program
• Short-Term Rental Program Implementation Update
• The Clean Tahoe Program
• Grove Street Temporary Signal Update

VIEW FULL AGENDA | JUNE 27 RECORDING | JUNE 28 RECORDING

PLACER COUNTY – RANKED AS ONE OF THE NATION’S (40TH) AND CALIFORNIA’S (3RD) HEALTHIEST COMMUNITIES!

We all know that wherever we reside in Placer County, we have chosen a very special place to live. Our residents benefit from the incredible beauty of our open space, our agricultural lands, our foothill communities, and our recreational opportunities in the High Sierra. We recently learned that Placer County was one of only three California counties that ranked in the top 50 of 3,000 counties nationwide, in the U.S. News’ 2022 Healthiest Communities rankings.

The fifth annual Healthiest Communities project from U.S. News assessed dozens of metrics that fall into 10 health and health-related categories, such as public safety, economy, housing and the environment. Individual metrics include community crime rates, obesity prevalence, high school graduation rate and walkability, and communities are scored on a 100-point scale tied to how they perform relative to one another. Placer County ranked third, just behind Santa Clara and San Mateo County, and just ahead of Marin County, Orange County, and Napa County.

In addition, Placer County placed first nationally in our population-size category in the 20th annual Digital Counties Survey! This is the fourth consecutive year Placer has finished in the top four for innovative use of emerging technologies to serve our residents.

While we will always have more to improve, this survey is a good reminder of how fortunate we truly are as residents of Placer County.

SUPERVISORS APPROVE A $1.22 BILLION BUDGET WITH A STRONG RAINY DAY FUND

The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a balanced budget totaling $1,221,251,032 for fiscal year 2022-23, representing a 19.2% increase over FY 2021-22. The increase is attributed to inflationary costs and the addition of staffing to deliver services in key strategic areas of county operations. These cost increases are primarily offset with additional property and sales tax revenues related to the growing local economy. State and federal grant revenues have also increased to offset the growing cost of health and human services and public safety programs. Also included in the budget is an increase of $99.1 million in capital projects, which are funded by bond financing, capital reserves and state grants. LEARN MORE

I am proud that our county is in a strong financial position and can adequately serve its residents by providing comprehensive county services. Our state partners are pessimistic about the economy in the coming fiscal year and it’s imperative that we be prepared to backfill our services with reserve funds should the state decrease its budget allocations to counties.

CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR OFFICE? JOIN THE FREE ELECTION CANDIDATE WORKSHOP ON JULY 23 AT 10AM

• IN PERSON | Placer County Assessor’s Confluence Meeting Room in Auburn
• VIRTUALLY | via Zoom

There will be over 180 positions available on various local city councils, school boards, parks, fire, water and utility districts in Placer County this November. Citizens who are interested in serving their community and are registered voters are qualified to run for local office but may not know how to go about it. The Placer County Elections Office is holding a candidate workshop July 23 to take the mystery out of running for office. Prospective candidates and their supporters are encouraged to attend. Members of the media and the general public are also invited. The workshop will explain many of the details involved in running for public office including campaign financial disclosure filing, campaign techniques and working with the media. Guest speakers will include a successful candidate, a campaign consultant, member of the media, Placer County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Ryan Ronco, and knowledgeable elections staff. Candidate filing for the November 2022 general election opened July 18 and closes at 5pm on August 12. LEARN MORE

Wildfire Updates + Resources

HOT TEMPERATURES AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS WILL IMPACT FIRE SEASON FORECAST

Residents are urged to remain vigilant as we head into peak fire season. CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Chief Brian Estes shares his fire season outlook and the increased resources that are dedicated to our region.

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PLACER COUNTY RESIDENTIAL CHIPPER PROGRAM

The Board of Supervisors recently approved $700,000 over two years to continue the expanded pilot Residential Chipper Program with the Placer County Resource Conservation District. The Chipper Program is a good use of public funds because it provides a low-cost residential chipper service for Placer residents, incentivizes fuels reduction on residential properties, and promotes defensible space. LEARN MORE

FIRE SEASON IS UPON US – STAY PREPARED AND INFORMED!

Be fire safe and vigilant with your actions and evacuation plans. SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT – it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.

IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES:

• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Ready for Wildfire webpage
• Homeowner’s checklist
• Defensible space information
• Prepare for quick evacuation
• Build an emergency kit

PLACER RECOGNIZED AS #1 DIGITAL COUNTY

Placer County placed first nationally in our population-size category in the 20th annual Digital Counties Survey! This is the fourth consecutive year Placer has finished in the top four for innovative use of emerging technologies to serve our residents. LEARN MORE

GET PLACER COUNTY NEWS EASILY ON YOUR PHONE WITH THE SIMPLICITY APP

Placer County has joined Simplicity – a free smartphone app for local news and information. Just download the app, select your community and follow Placer County for push alerts on all the topics that interest you. LEARN MORE

PLACER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT WEBSITE IS UPDATED REGULARLY

Check out Placer County’s employment website for a list of open positions, including internships. Job seekers can apply for positions and sign up for job alerts to be notified of openings.
APPLY FOR A JOB | SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS!

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov

WELCOMING SUMMER!

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

LARRY SEVISON DOLLAR CREEK TRAIL DEDICATION CEREMONY

Please join us in honoring Larry Sevison for his 50 year legacy of public service in Placer County and Lake Tahoe at the Dollar Creek Dedication Ceremony on Monday, June 27 at 4pm at the Dollar Creek Trailhead. The Dollar Creek Trail is just one of many projects that Larry championed for the benefit of Placer County residents and visitors. His leadership, dedication and support for this trail was decades-long and certainly would not have been constructed without his tenacity and vision. The legacy Larry Sevison leaves throughout Placer County and in his community of Lake Tahoe is unmatched, and it is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation that we honor Larry for his lifelong dedication to his community. LEARN MORE

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY IN NORTH LAKE TAHOE

North Lake Tahoe will launch drones instead of fireworks to celebrate Independence Day!
The shift aligns with the region’s commitment to sustainability and stewardship, and addresses community concerns related to fire risk and environmental impacts. READ PRESS RELEASE

A light show you won’t want to miss!
Orchestrated to music, over 100 drones will take to the air directly over Lake Tahoe, brightening up the sky and delivering a new kind of wonder. Click the events below for more information!

• JULY 3 DRONE LIGHT SHOW IN KINGS BEACH
• JULY 4 DRONE LIGHT SHOW IN TAHOE CITY
• ALL UPCOMING EVENTS IN NORTH LAKE TAHOE

BALLOT COUNT CONTINUES IN PLACER COUNTY

As of June 14, a total of 47,093 ballots were counted from last week’s Statewide Direct Primary Election. Key Placer County races included sheriff/coroner-marshal, assessor, clerk-recorder-registrar of voters, district attorney, and for Eastern Placer voters it included transient occupancy tax Measure A. SEE RESULTS

FIRE SEASON IS UPON US – STAY PREPARED AND INFORMED! 

We live in a beautiful, but fire danger critical area – it is ALL our responsibility to ensure we are fire-prepared. Please be vigilant with your actions and evacuation plans. SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT – it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.

IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES:

• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Ready for Wildfire webpage
• Homeowner’s checklist
• Defensible space information
• Prepare for quick evacuation
• Build an emergency kit
• Sign up for Placer Alert

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING IN TAHOE ON JUNE 28

We will be holding our next Board of Supervisors Meeting in Tahoe on Tuesday, June 28. With the change of seasons, there will be a lot to report on in Eastern Placer County including important housing and transit updates. Please look for a follow-up email next week which will include details as well as the full agenda. LEARN MORE

WATCH THE BOATWORKS REDEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION

On June 9 the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council received an informational overview of the proposed mixed-use redevelopment project located on a 3.8 acre developed site located at 790 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City. The project area is comprised of three contiguous parcels and seeks to redevelop the site with an 80 to 85-unit hotel facing Lake Tahoe, with conference facilities and associated amenities, 31 residential condominium units, and 8,000 square feet of commercial retail space fronting North Lake Boulevard. The applicant has elected to process a joint Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement with Placer County and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency respectively. WATCH PRESENTATION

PLACER SUPERVISORS DISMISS COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER

On June 3, 2022, the Board designated Assistant County Executive Officer Jane Christenson to serve as our Acting CEO. While change can be challenging, the Board’s decision was in the best interests of County taxpayers and staff, and our Supervisors remain focused on public service delivery and committed to advancing our many future-focused initiatives. We thank our hard-working and dedicated County employees for their support during this transition and we look forward to working together in continued service to our Placer community. The Board of Supervisors has issued a statement regarding the decision to terminate CEO Todd Leopold. READ STATEMENT

PLACER SUPERVISORS COMMIT TO HELPING RAISE $20 MILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION IN TAHOE

A regional effort to raise transportation dollars for Lake Tahoe is being supported by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. During its Tuesday meeting, the board adopted a resolution approving a commitment to a regional partnership dedicated to raising a minimum of $20 million per year for transportation improvements. The funding would be earmarked to support the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Regional Transportation Plan, which focuses on environmental sustainability and alternative forms of transportation such as transit services, bike and pedestrian trails and other community enhancements. LEARN MORE

PLACER SUPERVISORS APPROVE FIRST-EVER PARKS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN

the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the first-ever countywide Placer County Parks and Trails Master Plan, which could double the amount of recreation acreage by 2040 and triple the amount of trail miles. The plan provides a 20-year-and-beyond vision for the development and operation of parks, recreation, open space and trail networks in the county. It also includes future improvements and maintenance for existing parks and trails. LEARN MORE

PLACER WELCOMES DAVID KWONG AS NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE AGENCY DIRECTOR

Please join us in welcoming David Kwong as the new director of our Community Development Resource Agency. David brings over 30 years in government service, including his most recent job serving as community development director for San Joaquin County, and 15 years with the City of Sacramento. LEARN MORE

OPENING ON PLACER COUNTY ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD REPRESENTING DISTRICT 5

Placer County is accepting applications to fill a seat on the county Assessment Appeals Board to represent District 5. Assessment Appeals Board members must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in the state of California as a certified public accountant, licensed real estate broker, an attorney, or certified and accredited property appraiser. LEARN MORE + APPLY HERE

NORTH TAHOE SENIOR LUNCHES | TUESDAYS + THURSDAYS

Sierra Senior Services, the local Meals on Wheels Provider, and the NTPUD are sponsoring a new lunch program for seniors in North Tahoe. Senior lunches are now available on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:30am-1pm. Reservations are required by 4pm the day before – please call 530.550.7600 to reserve your seat. LEARN MORE 

PLACER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT WEBSITE IS UPDATED REGULARLY

Check out Placer County’s employment website for a list of open positions, including internships. Job seekers can apply for positions and sign up for job alerts to be notified of openings.
APPLY FOR A JOB | SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS!

Contact information:

 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov

District Aide Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.gov

Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov