Letter: Martis Valley project reality check
To the community,
Well, there’s some good news and some bad news regarding the sprawling Martis Valley West project. The good news? East West Partners currently does not plan to build 112 luxury lodges in a gated community atop an undeveloped ridgeline at Lake Tahoe. The bad? The Martis Valley West project is still atop that ridge, but now it could grow to be significantly larger than was originally proposed. How much larger? East West isn’t saying.
Here’s what we know: There will be more development than originally submitted on the Martis Valley (Northstar) side of the ridge — 760 units instead of 648, plus 6.6 acres of commercial. This means no net reduction in the number of units, and some kind of new development still planned for a forested ridgeline.
Incredibly, the Tahoe area has no enforceable ridgeline standards in place from either Placer County (which oversees the non-basin portion of this project) or the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (which handles the Basin portion). So big developers are free to submit plans for new subdivisions and other developments of any size, on or off undeveloped ridgelines.
Additionally, East West’s proposed area plan, which includes that ridgeline luxury community, has only been suspended, not terminated.
They can and will continue to pursue permissible uses on Tahoe lands, and the aforesaid area plan will only be terminated when permits for a viable project are approved. What this means is that they could (and probably will) be going after a change of zoning: from forest-conservation to resort recreation zoning (which, among other things, allows condominiums) for this undeveloped one-mile stretch of forestland.
East West has also recently floated the idea of building more than 800 campsites on this land, with RV parking, yurts, “eco-shelters,” a clubhouse-lodge, and a pool. By comparison, Yosemite — which is over 200 square miles — has just 1,445 campground spaces. Imagine how much more population density, traffic, and noise/light pollution this size development will bring to the Tahoe area.
This is not a done deal, but East West should tell the public what they intend to do – especially with the lands inside the Tahoe b-asin – immediately. Projects of this size do not exist in a vacuum; they have cumulative negative environmental impacts, as well as negative effects on wildlife and every resident of the North Shore and the Martis Valley. Should they receive the approval they’re seeking, Martis Valley West will be a precedent-setting project, and no ridgeline in this area will be safe.
They cudgel East West holds over our heads is the agreement they have to “save” 6,300-plus acres in Martis Valley, land their partner (Sierra Pacific Industries, a logging firm) owns, in exchange for this huge new incursion on land where residential development is currently not allowed. East West characterizes the community’s valid concerns as a “Tahoe basin-centric focus … which jeopardizes” this conservation agreement – which, by the way, is between East West and two conservation groups with no presence in the Basin.
So in short, it sounds like our worries are far from over. The only way to stop the madness is for TRPA and Placer County to immediately institute enforceable ridgeline protections; public pressure is the only way to make them listen. Go online to find out who to write to.
Coral Amende, Incline Village
Coral Amende, Most likely the Martis Valley West project will be approved by the TRPA. It’s what they do. If you have enough money the TRPA will give anyone the thumbs up for a developement.
Deals will be made behind closed doors, papers signed and THEN they ask for public input , when it’s already a done deal.
They’re sharpening the chainsaws and the bulldozers are at the ready to start clearing the ridge top and putting in roads, sewer and water lines, bring in power and start paving what was once a forest.
Enjoy Tahoe while you can! In no time at all we will be the “San Jose of The Sierras”. Old Long Skiis
OLS again you no idea what your talking about.. You really should not comment on development issues.
The Slapshot slapdown for OLS! I was here to see the Tahoe Keys development from the begining when it was still called the Truckee marsh. That one did’nt turn out so good. I was here to see the casinos go hi-rise when “outside money” came into the picture. Depending on your perspective? Maybe good, maybe bad. I was here to see the gradual redevelelopment of busineses along 50 all the way to stateline. I was here when Heavenly Valley had 3 chairlifts and a couple of rope tows. Watched it expand to what it is now, and I think that was a good one! Watched the city build a Parks and Recreation complex along with Bijou Community park and a Disc golf course. Another good one!
I’m leaving ALOT of things out here but there’s plenty more!
So Slapshot, while I’m no expert on developement, I will say, I have seen quite alot of it on South Shore.
Just one old fogey’s view of things. OLS
It’s a different time, different laws, different process. I agree with you regarding the development sins of the past but when you talk about the development process is nothing but payoffs etc. you have no idea. That’s part of the problem people always looking backward thinking they have the answer moving forward.
Carl Ribaudo, Yes, I was pointing out some mistakes and some winners over the past several years. We should learn from our mistakes and build upon what worked out well.
Do the residents of Meyers/Christmas Valley want a development in their area? There good views and open space blocked by housing and retail shops? Do the residents around the planned project on No. Shore want a ridge top housing development scarring up a beautful mountain? Do the people who are out on the lake want to see another hi rise hotel spring up on the Edgewood lakeshore?
Sure. I get it , been seeing it for years. Come in, make some bucks with a developement or buy into a franchise, then sell it,then they split town with a big profit and laugh all the way to an offshore tax free bank. They are outta here saying, “suckers!”.
Good luck Tahoe, but I’m afraid the chips are stacked against us. OLS
OLS- you are mostly correct about all you have posted. This should be a no brainer- NO DEVELOPMENT on a ridgeline. TRPA, nor any of the local jurisdictions have ridgeline protection ordinances. TRPA must lead the way and amend the Regional Plan to adequately and accurately develop protections for our beautiful ridgelines. Instead, I fear, we will have dark skies interrupted, more corporate luxury developments that only benefit the bottom-line for the developers and expansion of the urban boundary….The North Shore doesn’t want to be densified like the South Shore!
We recall Kae’s review of the “Saving Lake Tahoe – Environmental History” book, and she said something like “I can see why the environmentalists are so upset.” OLS is right – big money comes in, takes another dent out of Tahoe’s beauty, makes their profits, and that’s that. Future generations will have no idea how beautiful this place used to be. We remember walking in the water on El Dorado and Kiva Beaches when there was no slime. Perfectly clear water. Tourists don’t want to come to another city in the mountains, with noise, traffic, pollution, and all these resort developments bring to the area.
And yes, developers do get their way- think Boulder Bay, Homewood, Edgewood, and the Regional Plan Update, to name a few. The public needs to demand our ‘environmental agencies’ protect what’s left of Tahoe’s beauty. That includes the ridgelines!
Endless pressure, endlessly applied….write letters, show up at meetings, become informed and know what will be lost. Dont give up just because some know-it-all developer or realator tells you how “eco friendly” it will all be. Dont believe them for a minute, greed is their motivation…
That ridge line development will impact the entire Tahoe Basin with light pollution. We will be able to see lights from that area everywhere.
Have you ever noticed the nice yellow glow coming from Squaw Valley when they have their night skiing lights on ? And those lights are a long way from the lake. I’m surprised all the money in Glenbrook hasn’t come up with some kind of lawsuit to stop those lights. When looking towards Squaw from Glenbrook or coming down Hwy 50 into the basin, the glow is unbelievable.
Keeping our ridgelines dark and undeveloped should be a priority, TRPA !
OLS, I may be wrong but a good part of the Martis Valley development is outside of TRPA area, so it would be up to the county. Also have you looked at the edgewood plans, I have and I don’t recall any highrises there. You may want to look at the city council agenda for Tuesday, interesting workshop about proposed changes to vacation rental changes
J&B & Cautious and Skeptical, Thanks for some back up on my views about development around the lake.
I’ve said that I’ve seen it before and those “forward thinkers” call it progress. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much, and then we permanant residents have to live with the consequences. Empty buildings and shoddy construction of what was once beautiful open space.
Wait until they start breaking ground in Meyers! The stuff will really hit the fan! But they(the out of town investors and contractors and crews) will high tail it outta here once their get their paychecks.
So watch out Tahoe…no area is safe from the chainsaw and bulldozer, after the easily changed new zoning desigination, purchase of land and permitting procsess is in the works. OLS
Reloman: Council meeting on Tuesday does look interesting, paid permit parking in vacation homes neighborhoods basically the whole city.