I’m Stephanie Holloway, your Placer County Deputy County Executive Officer here in Tahoe. Our Placer Team is excited for the new year and what we expect to be a busy one! As we look ahead, we do so with both optimism and practicality, recognizing the importance of thoughtful progress, community dialogue and the renewed awareness of the responsibility we share in shaping the future of North Lake Tahoe and our eastern region of Placer County.

A look ahead

In 2026, several significant private redevelopment projects are anticipated to come before our decision makers, including the proposed 39 North hotel and housing redevelopment in Kings Beach, amendments to the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan and the Boatworks redevelopment project in Tahoe City, among others. These are projects that have been discussed for decades and, if realized, have the potential to move forward many environmental priorities for the region, economic investments in our business districts and benefits for our communities.

Why is redevelopment so important?  Recent surveys show businesses are struggling and tourism dollars are moving to adjacent areas where development is more streamlined and less complicated. Many of our commercial buildings are becoming outdated and unable to accommodate businesses that are currently in demand. New development like what we are experiencing on the west side of the County which provides opportunity for economic stability into the future is not possible or desired in our region with limited development rights under the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency growth caps.

The opportunities to support our future and improve our environment in North Lake Tahoe are dependent on thoughtful redevelopment of properties which are in desperate need of new life. The county's Board of Supervisors is aligned with the goals of the Tahoe Basin Regional Plan, concentrating the remaining development to support the balance of economically vibrant town centers with access to public lands and restoration of sensitive areas. 

In 2020, Bay Area Economics was hired to conduct a more in-depth analysis of “development-related economic forces and barriers to investment in both town centers and village centers of the Tahoe Basin Area Plan”, aiming to pinpoint government actions that could attract investment and support the region’s economic sustainability needs.

This report concluded that substantial public incentives were needed to encourage development that contributes to long-term economic and environmental sustainability. This is a reason that both the recently renovated evo Hotel and a new project like 39 North have been identified to receive public incentives.

As many are aware, county staff are reviewing the application for 39 North’s private project. Over the last 18 months, the project's plan has been revised based on community feedback, reducing the building height from six (75 feet) to four stories (56 feet), adjusting the hotel entrance off North Lake Blvd to Salmon Ave. and reducing the number of hotel units from 179 to 132. The project also includes 38 condominiums and up to 63 deed-restricted workforce housing units in Kings Beach, as well as new community additions like a pocket park, new pedestrian path on Salmon Ave., public art display and street furniture. 

The project still needs to be vetted through a public process and environmental review before moving forward, but it’s one that will be center stage this year with numerous discussions to follow. The first such chance will be Feb. 12 at the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council meeting. Click here for more details.

Moving toward common ground

It’s clear our town centers and village centers need revitalization and doing so will heighten economic investments more globally. Many agree on that point but there are numerous opinions on how best to achieve the outcome. We are grateful for valued technical experts who have provided insightful perspectives for our decision makers.  The technical analysis helps inform our decision-makers and points to projects that exhibit financial viability.  

The high cost of doing nothing is no longer an option. We can calculate the fiscal implications of doing nothing—continued deterioration, lost economic opportunity and the ongoing strain on community resources—it would be substantial. Our struggling businesses are now prey to corporations interested in swallowing up small mom and pop motels and resorts to provide services to the elite.  

We have everything to gain by working together to solve difficult challenges that require compromise and flexibility. At the core there is a sincere desire on the part of everyone to do what is best for North Lake Tahoe and beyond and protect the future of our cherished communities.

We know progress will not result in agreement on everything—but it does require respect, transparency and negotiations. As consideration of these critical environmentally benefitable redevelopment projects move forward, my hope is to engage in respectful dialogue with a common goal of sustaining our quality of life for the future through thoughtful progress. We encourage you to ask questions, seek facts not misconception and partake in the public process in the year ahead. 

— Stephanie

The pair covered two items coming to the Board of Supervisors at the beginning of February, including Placer’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance and the program's advisory group, which has shared input on potential changes moving forward. Murray covered the county's potential single-use plastics ban as well and how staff are working to reduce waste in our region.

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