The comment period on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Village at Squaw Valley expansion proposal ended on March 24th. Approximately 50 comments were received. Issues raised in these comments include noise impact both during and after construction, water supply availability, traffic, and obstruction of mountain views. These are the same complaints raised in response to this project since its inception in spite of the fact that the project has been reduced by approximately one-third. Comments on the NOP by Tom Mooers, executive director of Sierra Watch, that the current proposed plan should not be compared to the previous plan fails to recognize the significant modifications made to the plan in light of the questions and comments provided by the public.
KSL Capital Partners opened an office and set up a scale model of the proposed development. They take comments and questions from visitors at the Base Camp office located in the Village. It is very clear from specific changes to the plan that they have indeed listened to those comments, and incorporated many of the issues raised into the new revised plan. Since KSL’s acquisition of the Squaw Valley Ski Area and controlling interest in the Alpine Meadows Ski Area, significant capital investment has been made to improve the ski area and supporting facilities. They are a leader in the movement to expand transportation systems in the valley, and promote recycling, composting and other environmentally sustainable processes.
In contrast to the opposition who would prefer no development at all, several Olympic and other local athletes led by Julia Mancuso, Travis Ganong and Jonny Mosely expressed their support of the project in an editorial in the Sierra Sun. They applaud the work performed by KSL to date and expressed the opinion that, in fact, the leadership of the organization has listened and will continue to do so as this project unfolds. The authors offered their opinion that “the leadership of the mountain is focused on the improvement of the mountain and that now, the redevelopment plans are very much in keeping with the soul and spirit of Squaw Valley.”
It should be remembered that with the purchase of the ski area, adjoining real estate was also acquired that had development entitlements. KSL welcomes constructive input. Their willingness to listen and implement changes to their plans should be commended, however—the land does belong to KSL and they have the right to develop it.
For more information, read the article on this topic in the Sierra Sun.
For a history of the plan to expand the Village read my earlier Blog Post and the linked articles.
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