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@
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
