Since the early 2000s, resort development proposals have made their way into the eastern reaches of Placer County. These proposals have not been without controversy and opposition. It began with “plans for thousands of luxury homes and multiple golf courses in the Martis Valley” according to a recent article in Moonshine Ink titled “The County in the Crossfire.” Those development proposals were mired in lawsuits filed by community members and environmental groups. That plan was followed by proposals for Northstar and Homewood—both of which were overwhelmed by lawsuits—and plans for Royal Gorge collapsed due to community backlash and a slumping economy.
Attention is now focused on Squaw Valley and a new proposal to greatly expand the Village at Squaw Valley, adding more than 1,000 new condos, restaurants and shops at the base of the ski resort. Squaw Valley Ski Holdings is in the early stages of the development process. They have submitted several versions of their Specific Plan to Placer County over the last year. Studies have only just begun, and then been put on hold, for the Environmental Impact Report process. The Squaw Valley Design Review Committee (SVDRC) has been reinstated and will at its November 7th meeting conduct its first review of the most recent version of the Specific Plan.
As with other development proposals in this eastern end of Placer County, we are seeing an intense debate regarding the effects that this Village Expansion could have on Squaw Valley and the surrounding communities. Various organizations like Mountain Area Preservation, The Friends of Squaw Valley and Sierra Watch along with local business and a very large number of local residents have taken a very active interest in this proposed project and the ensuing debate regarding its pros and cons. There are still a lot of issues to be researched and the conflicts resolved. In “The County in the Crossfire” article Moonshine Ink reports that “some of the big questions about water availability, traffic, parking and employee housing have not yet come into sharp focus.”
Placer County’s track record in dealing with major development proposals in this area over the last decade has been that most of what it has approved has ended up in court with the conflicts ultimately decided by a judge. The county seems to be trying to avoid a similar outcome for this proposal. The Moonshine Ink article goes on to quote Executive Director Tom Mooers of Sierra Watch, “the county wants to ensure meaningful public involvement” in the planning process, and Jennifer Montgomery, the Placer County Supervisor for the Tahoe area, states that “the county is committed to a public process that includes everyone. That is really my commitment—to make this as open and transparent as possible.”
In a different article Moonshine Ink reported that “the movement to incorporate Squaw Valley cleared another hurdle…. the Placer County Registrar of Voters certified on August 20th that the 280 signatures on the petition” to incorporate “were valid.” The petition only needed around 140 signatures.” The Placer County LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) has officially accepted the petition. Incorporate Olympic Valley must now submit a formal application. If LAFCO finds that the proposed town is financially viable, “the issue will become a ballot measure for Squaw Valley registered voters” according to Moonshine Ink.
Squaw Valley Ski Holdings has set up a storefront in the existing Village, called Base Camp, that contains two different scale models of the proposed Village Expansion. If you are in the area I encourage you to go see these models. David or Cindy, in Base Camp, can give you a very detailed explanation of the developer’s plan. Whether you are in favor of, or against, this proposed development you will find it very interesting. The models can be viewed in Base Camp in the Village from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday.
Keep checking this Blog for continual updates.
Download Map of Proposed Village Expansion
Web sites to visit regarding the Proposed Village Expansion;
Placer County: Village at Squaw Valley Specific Plan
First Tracks: Grassroots Group Organizes…
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