Chapter 11
TAHOE BASIN ELEMENT
NOTE: These Goals, Objectives and Policies are specific to the Tahoe
Basin and reflect the unique circumstances that exist with respect to the
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA); however, all other County-wide policies
and ordinances apply to the review of all projects.
GOAL 11.1: TAHOE BASIN
Maintain an equilibrium between the Tahoe Basin's natural endowment
and the man-made environment and to preserve the scenic beauty and recreational
opportunities of the region. (Public Law 91-148, 91st Congress, December
18, 1969.)
OBJECTIVE 11.1.1: AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF NEW DEVELOPMENT
Direct the allocation and location of new development so that the environmental
threshold carrying capacities are not exceeded but maintained in conformance
with the goals and objectives of the Regional Plan.
- Policy 11.1.1.1
Achieve and maintain conformance between County General Plan policies
and ordinances and the goals and policies of the TRPA.
- Policy 11.1.1.2
Revise the County Zoning Ordinance to provide consistency with the
TRPA Code of Ordinances and Plan Area Statements and maintain protection
of the public health, safety, and welfare.
- Policy 11.1.1.3
Limit development near Lake Tahoe Airport consistent with the Lake
Tahoe Airport Master Plan and Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
- Policy 11.1.1.4
Upon transfer or delegation of any TRPA powers or authority to El Dorado
County, the County shall acknowledge the Basin's sensitive environmental
issues and promote consistency and continuity with TRPA's goals and objectives.
The County shall continue to enforce specific policies previously adopted
or carried out by TRPA unless the County determines that such policies,
in pursuing environmental objectives, entail what the County regards as
unacceptable economic or social tradeoffs.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.2: MEYERS COMMUNITY AND TAHOMA COMMUNITY PLAN AREAS
The County shall work with TRPA and other appropriate jurisdictions
to complete the Tahoma Community Plans and to implement the Meyers Community
Plan.
- Policy 11.1.2.1
Concentrate appropriately scaled commercial development in the Meyers
Community Plan Area.
- Policy 11.1.2.2
The County shall pursue the transfer of additional commercial floor
area into the Meyers Community Plan Area.
- Policy 11.1.2.3
In cooperation with Placer County and TRPA, the County shall develop
a procedure to complete the Tahoma Community Plan when funding and staff
resources are available.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.3: PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES
The existence of adequate and reliable public services and facilities
such as water supply, waste water treatment and disposal, solid waste disposal
capacity, storm drainage, roads, and schools shall be required in approving
new development within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
- Policy 11.1.3.1
Necessary public services shall be provided concurrent with development
as required in the Circulation and Public Services and Utilities Elements.
- Policy 11.1.3.2
Prior to the acceptance and distribution of the annual building allocations
from TRPA, the County shall require proof of service for water and sewer
from the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD), the Tahoe City Public
Utilities District, and the small water companies on the West Shore and
the South Shore.
- Policy 11.1.3.3
The County shall encourage STPUD, the Regional Water Quality Control
Board, and TRPA to explore the potential for the use of treated waste water
to irrigate golf courses, playing fields, and other large turf areas.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.4: SOLID WASTE REDUCTION
Reduce the amount of solid waste exported from the region.
- Policy 11.1.4.1
The County shall continue to implement and improve reduction of solid
waste through removal of recyclable materials recovered at the Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF).
- Policy 11.1.4.2
The County shall collaborate with the State of California, City of
South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County (Nevada), and South Tahoe Refuse to develop
consolidation, material recovery, and transfer methods to achieve a reduction
in the volume of wastes being transported to out of Basin landfills.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.5: BASIN DRAINAGE AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Improvement, upgrading, and maintenance of existing storm drainage
facilities in the Tahoe Basin to provide a Basin-wide drainage and flood
management program to prevent flooding and protect soils from erosion.
- Policy 11.1.5.1
The County's Master Plan of Drainage shall analyze conditions in the
Tahoe Basin and make recommendations for improvements to the County and
TRPA Capital Improvements Program.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.6: PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
To maximize the safety of life and property in the Tahoe Basin.
- Policy 11.1.6.1
Adopt, revise, and enforce development regulations including building
and siting standards consistent with the TRPA Code of Ordinances to protect
against seismic, avalanche, snow loading, and geologic hazards.
- Policy 11.1.6.2
In cooperation with the State Division of Mines and Geology and TRPA,
El Dorado County shall annually evaluate the Lake Tahoe area for earthquake
related hazards such as liquefaction, landslides, and avalanches. Annually,
the County shall review the latest information from the State Division
of Mines and Geology, the U.S. Forest Service, and the TRPA regarding the
location of seismic, avalanche, and liquefaction hazards.
- Policy 11.1.6.3
Prohibit construction, grading, and filling of lands within the 100-year
flood plain and in the area of wave action unless consistent with the TRPA
Regional Plan and as allowed by the County Flood Plain Ordinance.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.7: WILDFIRE HAZARDS
Provide information to residents and visitors of the wildfire hazards
associated rules related to occupancy in the Basin.
- Policy 11.1.7.1
The County shall cooperate with Lake Valley, Fallen Leaf, and Meeks
Bay Fire Protection Districts to implement Fire Safe Regulations at the
building permit stage to manage forest fuels to be consistent with State
laws and the TRPA Regional Plan.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.8: PROTECTION OF NOISE-SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Protect existing noise sensitive developments from new uses that would
generate noise levels incompatible with those uses and, conversely, discourage
noise sensitive uses from locating near uses producing high levels of noise.
- Policy 11.1.8.1
Implement Noise Element policies in the Tahoe Basin during project
review.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.9: AIRPORT NOISE RESTRICTION AREAS
The County shall recognize Airport Noise Restriction Areas for the
City of South Lake Tahoe Airport and conform to appropriate Airport Land
Use Commission (ALUC) policies.
- Policy 11.1.9.1
The County shall require all development within the planning boundary
of the City of South Lake Tahoe Airport to conform to the standards and
requirements of the adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
- Policy 11.1.9.2
On existing single family parcels within the 55 CNEL contours of the
City of South Lake Tahoe Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan, new residential
structures shall be designed to limit intruding noise such that interior
noise levels shall not exceed 45 CNEL in any habitable room.
- Policy 11.1.9.3
Within the established 60 CNEL noise contour restricting residential
development, as identified in the City of South Lake Tahoe Airport Comprehensive
Land Use Plan, the County shall submit for ALUC review any proposed land
use changes to the General Plan or specific plan adoptions or amendments,
prezonings, rezonings, use permits, variances, and to the extent possible
all new construction within the established noise zone except for detached
single family dwellings on existing parcels zoned for single family uses.
- Policy 11.1.9.4
For any residential development occurring between the 55 CNEL noise
contour and the 60 CNEL noise contour, as identified in the City of South
Lake Tahoe Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the County shall evaluate
the feasibility of imposing mitigation measures such as noise insulation
standards (mandatory within the 60 CNEL contour), a buyer notification
requirement to inform potential buyers of the exterior noise levels projected
by the CNEL method at their property, and the attachment of a noise easement
to the title of all property sold in the areas affected by aircraft noise.
- Policy 11.1.9.5
Airport noise contours shall be converted to airport combining zone
districts on affected zoning maps.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.10: SAFETY HAZARDS EXPOSURE
Minimize the public's exposure to airport-related safety hazards.
- Policy 11.1.10.1
Ensure that new development around airports is compatible with airport-related
uses.
- Policy 11.1.10.2
All development within the planning boundaries of the City of South
Lake Tahoe Airport shall comply with ALUC height, noise, and safety policies
and maps as set forth in the airport's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
- Policy 11.1.10.3
Airport hazard combining zone districts shall be created and applied
to zoning maps.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.11: CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE
Provide for the preservation, utilization, and management of the natural
resources within the Tahoe Basin.
- Policy 11.1.11.1
Coordinate and assist the TRPA in the achievement and maintenance of
natural resource environmental thresholds as defined in the TRPA Regional
Plan and Threshold of Carrying Capacities.
- Policy 11.1.11.2
The County shall inform unbuildable parcel owners of State and Federal
buyout opportunities to purchase lands between existing developed properties
as a way to preserve open space and encourage the retention of natural
landscaping.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.12: PARKS AND RECREATION
Development of recreational facilities for the differing needs of residents
through utilization of available outdoor recreation capacity.
- Policy 11.1.12.1
The County shall encourage the development of tourism related facilities
and amenities which are consistent with the TRPA Regional Plan.
- Policy 11.1.12.2
The County shall develop recreational opportunities for County residents
including the continued development of Golden Bear Park.
- Policy 11.1.12.3
Effectively utilize the "People-At-One-Time" (PAOT) allocations
from TRPA to improve and enhance recreational opportunities within the
County.
- Policy 11.1.12.4
Plan, develop, and maintain a network of County-wide regional trails
that connect incorporated and unincorporated areas through cooperative
efforts with the City of South Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Conservancy, and other
agencies.
- Policy 11.1.12.5
Continue to actively participate in the development of the permanent
Visitors Center in Meyers with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies.
- Policy 11.1.12.6
The County shall improve public recreation opportunities through the
use permit process at the Heavenly Valley Ski Area, the Anchorage Marina,
and the Stanford Camp facilities, and others, in cooperation with business
permittees, State and Federal agencies, and TRPA.
OBJECTIVE 11.1.13: VISUAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY DESIGN
Preserve and enhance the scenic qualities of the Tahoe Basin and provide
public access to public views.
- Policy 11.1.13.1
Where applicable during project review, the County shall implement
the Scenic Quality Improvement Program (SQIP) to improve the scenic quality
ratings established by the TRPA environmental thresholds.
- Policy 11.1.13.2
Recognize that water and visual resources are paramount in the Tahoe
Basin per the TRPA Goals and Policies.
- Policy 11.1.13.3
The County shall develop strategies for improving the scenic qualities
along the U.S. Highway 50 and State Route 89 scenic corridors consistent
with TRPA scenic thresholds.
- Policy 11.1.13.4
Encourage the development of scenic vista points and rest areas where
feasible and appropriate.
- Policy 11.1.13.5
The County shall develop and adopt a sign ordinance applicable within
the Tahoe Basin equal to or more stringent than Chapter 26 of the TRPA
Code of Ordinances.
GOAL 11.2: TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Implement a transportation plan consistent with the direction of
the TRPA Regional Transportation Plan and the environmental threshold carrying
capacities.
OBJECTIVE 11.2.1: ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES
Develop and enhance alternative transportation modes such as buses,
rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian facilities per the TRPA Regional
Transportation Plan.
- Policy 11.2.1.1
The County shall continue funding the "Bus Plus" program
in cooperation with the South Tahoe Area Ground Express.
- Policy 11.2.1.2
The County shall collaborate with the TRPA and other agencies to plan
the development of light rail and other modes of transportation (e.g.,
shuttle bus system) in the Tahoe area.
- Policy 11.2.1.3
The County shall participate in planning to develop a multi-modal transit
system in the Tahoe Basin utilizing Proposition 116 monies to fund collector
bus services and/or light rail transit between Meyers, South Lake Tahoe,
Stateline employment areas, and the proposed multi-modal transit stations.
- Policy 11.2.1.4
The County shall cooperate with providers of transit, commercial bus,
and taxi services in the planning and implementation of new and improved
service.
- Policy 11.2.1.5
Encourage ski resort buses to stop in Meyers area.
OBJECTIVE 11.2.2: REGIONAL BIKEWAYS
Locate regional bikeways where environmentally, physically, and economically
feasible.
- Policy 11.2.2.1
The County shall continue working with Caltrans to develop bicycle
trails along designated scenic highways within State right-of-ways.
- Policy 11.2.2.2
The County shall construct the north side of the Pat Lowe Memorial
Bike Trail in fiscal year 1994 contingent upon Federal Transportation Enhancement
Activities Funding.
- Policy 11.2.2.3
The County shall continue to develop a bikeway system connecting South
Lake Tahoe and Meyers along Pioneer Trail, Upper Truckee Road/Lake Tahoe
Boulevard, Sawmill Road, and along the Upper Truckee River.
GOAL 11.3: HOUSING IN THE LAKE TAHOE AREA
Application of all County-wide and Tahoe Basin specific goals, objectives,
and policies to the unincorporated lands of the County within the Tahoe
Basin to support a fair share of affordable housing in the Basin.
OBJECTIVE 11.3.1: COUNTY-WIDE HOUSING AGENCY
Creation of a public and private sector partnership through establishment
of a housing agency charged with the duties to coordinate all housing programs
within the County including the incorporated cities and the Tahoe Basin
to ensure compliance with the housing element.
- Policy 11.3.1.1
The County shall form a County-wide housing agency that includes the
City of South Lake Tahoe Housing Authority to cooperatively deal with Basin
specific housing issues.
- Policy 11.3.1.2
Within one year of Housing Agency formation, the County shall, working
with the City of South Lake Tahoe Housing Authority, prepare a housing
condition/cost/availability survey that includes the City and County jurisdiction
lands within the Tahoe Basin.
OBJECTIVE 11.3.2: IDENTIFICATION OF SITES
Identification and designation of sites for multiple family housing
which are suitable for such use in the context of the TRPA Regional Plan.
- Policy 11.3.2.1
The County shall identify locations of land capability suited for multifamily
and low cost housing development that can be reasonably served by public
transit by the end of 1997.
GOAL 11.4: REMOVE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING CONSTRAINTS IN THE TAHOE
BASIN
Removal or modification of regulatory constraints to facilitate
development of multifamily housing in the Tahoe Basin.
OBJECTIVE 11.4.1: SECOND RESIDENTIAL UNITS
Assessment of opportunities and constraints to allow second units both
as rental opportunities and to encourage in-home family care.
- Policy 11.4.1.1
By the end of 1997, the County shall investigate and determine the
number of existing second residential units, their status with respect
to building and zoning codes, and the impacts of these units on existing
public and private infrastructure, the public health, safety and welfare,
and the availability of affordable housing.
- Policy 11.4.1.2
Based on the above Policy and within the constraints of the TRPA Regional
Plan limiting such development to one acre or larger parcels, the County
shall revise the ordinance that currently prohibits second residential
units within the Tahoe Basin if a finding can be made that affordable housing
goals will be attained by such a revision.
OBJECTIVE 11.4.2: TRANSIT ACCESS TO MULTIFAMILY HOUSING
Locate multifamily housing near existing and future transit service
opportunities.
- Policy 11.4.2.1
Encourage South Tahoe Ground Express (STAGE) to serve the Meyers area
per the Meyers Community Plan and the TRPA Regional Transportation Plan.
- Policy 11.4.2.2
The County shall continue current funding of the "Bus Plus"
program until regular service is supplied to Meyers and surrounding residential
areas.
OBJECTIVE 11.4.3: MODIFY GOVERNMENTAL PROCEDURES
Modification of appropriate TRPA Plan Area Statements and existing
allocation procedure to facilitate implementation of multifamily housing
projects.
- Policy 11.4.3.1
Prior to the end of calendar year 1996, the County shall initiate an
application to amend TRPA Plan Area Statement #137 to allow multifamily
residential as an allowed use, with adoption of the amendment targeted
for 1997, to be implemented in 1998.
- Policy 11.4.3.2
The County shall identify lands capable of use as multifamily sites
in other Plan Area Statements and seek amendment of such Plan Area Statements
to allow multifamily uses.
- Policy 11.4.3.3
The allocation procedure shall be modified to dedicate at least 10
percent of 1997 allocations for multifamily housing development.
- Policy 11.4.3.4
The 1997 allocation procedure shall be modified to specifically allow
sale and/or transfer of allocations restricted to multifamily construction.
- Policy 11.4.3.5
The 1997 allocation procedure shall be modified to allow assignment
of more than one allocation per person per year for a specific property
restricted to multifamily housing.
OBJECTIVE 11.4.4: LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECT
Facilitate the construction of a low income housing project within
County jurisdiction lands.
- Policy 11.4.4.1
The County shall identify acceptable locations for low income housing
projects based on land capability and proximity to transit facilities.
- Policy 11.4.4.2
The County shall assist land owners to amend Plan Area Statements and/or
mount land capability challenges before the TRPA to facilitate low income
housing projects.
OBJECTIVE 11.4.5: IDENTIFICATION OF SITES
Identification and designation of sites for multiple family housing
which are suitable for such use in the context of the TRPA Regional Plan.
- Policy 11.4.5.1
The County shall identify locations of high land capability suited
for multifamily and low cost housing development that can be reasonably
served by public transit by the end of 1997.