At Lake Level February 2022 The official newsletter of the City of South Lake Tahoe

City of South Lake Tahoe and Related California Awarded Grant to Build Sustainable Workforce Housing

The City of South Lake Tahoe, in partnership with Related California and Saint Joseph Community Land Trust, has been awarded $17,359,470 by the California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program for the Sugar Pine Village project and other City improvements that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant is a critical piece of funding that will provide essential financing to develop the Sugar Pine Village project, a 248-unit multi-phase workforce affordable housing project in the Tahoe Valley area. All the units in the project will be required to be affordable to households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) which equates to a family of four earning between $27,200 and $72,500. The majority of the units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% AMI.

The award also includes funding for local bike and pedestrian improvements which will provide more opportunities to use forms of transportation other than a private automobile. Coupled with funding for a solar power system on the City’s transit-related facilities the award represents real progress towards the City’s sustainability goals. The grant application included an approximate $995,000 local contribution made by the City Council to increase the competitiveness of the project in the application review process.

mODIFIED cAMPING Program for the 2022 season at CAMPGROUND BY THE LAKE

The City is excited to be breaking ground on the new Multi-Generational Recreation and Aquatics Center located on the north side of the campground beginning in spring 2022. In order to accommodate camping during construction, the City is offering a modified camping program from May 6 through October 30. The sites furthest from the construction zone will be available for campers including all standard sites in loops D, E, & F on the southwest end of the campground.

Before making your reservation for 2022, all campers should expect construction noise and other construction-related impacts during daytime hours. Those planning to get out and enjoy Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area during the day will still enjoy a construction-free camping experience at night. For reservations, visit Reserve America. For questions, please email campgroundbythelake@cityofslt.us

A MESSAGE FROM FIRE CHIEF SAVACOOL: Tips on how to prepare for the next Winter StorM

Happy New Year and what a year it has been so far! Old Man Winter welcomed in the new year with an abundance of snow that left locals and visitors overwhelmed, to say the least. It is safe to say that we are all still trying to recover from the late December, early January storm that brought nearly ten feet to the Lake Tahoe Basin. The severity and complexity of this storm reminded us all how important it is to be prepared. With that being said, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue would like to offer some tips and friendly reminders to help you and your family get through the next storm.

1. Make sure you have plenty of perishable food, water, and gasoline prior to the storm. Nothing is worse than running out of essentials, forcing you to have to venture out onto the icy roads and whiteout conditions. This last storm left our grocery stores with limited amounts of food and virtually no gas.

2. Stay up on snow removal so that it stays manageable. One of the most common causes of lower back injuries and cardiac events in the winter is directly related to snow removal. Know when to rest and know your physical capabilities. If you are using a snowblower, wear the proper ear and eye protection and know how to safely operate the machine. It is recommended that you keep extra replacement bolts and fuel on hand.

3. Be prepared for potential power outages in your area. Keep flashlights with fresh batteries handy. DO NOT RUN GENERATORS INSIDE YOUR HOME! Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning death in the U.S. SLTFR recommends you keep your fuel-burning appliances and engines properly vented. These include space heaters, furnaces, charcoal grills, cooking ranges, water heaters, fireplaces, portable generators, wood-burning stoves, as well as car and truck engines. Ask your utility company about yearly checkups for all gas appliances, including your furnace. If you have a fireplace, keep it in good repair. Clean your fireplace chimney and flue every year.

4. And lastly, know when to ask for help. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue strives to assist our full-time residents and visitors in any way we can. Do not wait until it’s too late, if you need us, call us at 530-542-6163. We are a 24-7-365 resource and are here to serve our community with Compassion, Professionalism, and Honor.

Enjoy the coming days of winter, and once again, Happy New Year from your friends at South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue!

Upcoming Public workshops for Housing Element update

The City of South Lake Tahoe is pleased to present the Draft Housing Element for 2022-2027 for review by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and interested members of the public. Each local government in California is required to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the city or county. The housing element is one of the seven mandated elements of the local general plan. Housing element law requires that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community.

In order for the private market to adequately address housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land use plans and regulatory systems which provide opportunities for and do not unduly constrain, housing development. Housing element law also requires the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to review local housing elements for compliance with State law and to report its written findings to the local government.

The City invites you and any other interested parties to provide comments on the draft document to assist the City in completing its effort to develop a housing policy framework for the next five years. The public review period for the Draft Housing Element ends on February 18, 2022. Written comments may be submitted via email to housing@cityofslt.us or by mail to Zach Thomas, Housing Manager, 1052 Tata Lane, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The Draft Housing Element is available at: https://www.cityofslt.us/878/Housing-Element-Update

The City will hold two public workshops to give members of the public the opportunity to provide oral public comments. These two workshops will include the same presentation, but one will be held in person, and one will be virtual. The virtual meeting will be held on Monday, February 7 at 5:30 pm, and the In-Person Planning Commission Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 10 at 3:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. To register for the virtual meeting, go to tinyurl.com/SLTHousingElement.

construction anticipated to begin in May for the Lake Tahoe Boulevard Class I BICYCLE tRAIL pROJECT

The Lake Tahoe Boulevard Class I Bicycle Trail project is anticipated to begin construction this May and to be completed in August. The project will construct a new class I bicycle trail on the south side of Lake Tahoe Boulevard from Viking Way/D Street to the South Y Intersection. This important section of bike trail will complete a network of Class I Bicycle Trails from Meyers all the way to the South Y Intersection. The new trail will directly serve the Transit Center, South Y Shopping Center, future Sugar Pine Village, and South Tahoe High School. The project will also install pathway lighting and ADA upgrades to allow all users access to the trail 24/7, which will increase safety along this section of roadway for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

The trail is funded by a combination of Federal Grant Funds, State Gas Taxes, and Undesignated General funds. For additional information or questions, please email Randy Carlson at rcarlson@cityofslt.us.