Mike Pavel’s initial plan for “Squaw Valley Ranch Estates” consisting of eight lots has been abandoned in favor of a plan to utilize half of the property to build homes for his family, and the other half for an events facility to host weddings, corporate retreats, and other similar functions. Even this modified plan causes raised eyebrows from residents who are already dealing with KSL’s proposal to increase the size of the Village at Squaw Valley. Also the proposed project may conflict with a restriction regarding building on the meadow in the Squaw Valley General Plan.
“Most of Squaw Valley Stables’ rickety corrals, barns, and cabins came with the land in 1982, when Swiss immigrant Eric Pavel bought the property” according to an article in Moonshine Ink. The stables were closed six years ago due to declining profits. Eric’s son Mike wants to improve the property to provide homes for himself and his two sons, and to create a new source of income. There are several issues he will have to deal with;
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County approval of a zoning change.
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Costs, which he estimates for a zoning change, permits and new infrastructure could be as high as $1 million.
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The Squaw Valley General Plan states, “Generally, this area [the meadow] should be retained in a natural condition with activity and development limited to uses which presently exist in the area …. No further encroachments of buildings, impervious surfaces, or other development activity should occur.”
Steve Kastan, Tahoe field representative for Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, interprets that language to mean the meadow should be preserved, “The General Plan is pretty clear on what the intention is of forest recreation and the meadow …. In my opinion, [the plan] is lot more tenable with the community. It’s a better scenario than a subdivision. [However] the fact is that building in the meadow is upsetting to a lot of people” he said in the Moonshine Ink article. To read the complete article, visit Moonshine Ink’s website.
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