If approved, Alpine Sierra Subdivision would be the first residential development in Alpine Meadows, between Tahoe City and Squaw Valley, since the 1980s. Alpine Meadows is a long beautiful up sloping canyon stretching from Hwy 89, north of Tahoe City, to the Alpine Meadows ski area at the top of the canyon.
The Notice of Preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for this project was released by Placer County on April 8, 2014, and comments will be taken until May 9th. Comments may be sent to cdaecs@placer.ca.gov.
The project would include 47 units over 45 acres at the top of the valley, and would consist of single-family homes, duplexes and cabins. The project as proposed includes 14.5 acres of open space, and the density of the project is just half of what is allowed by the 46 year old Alpine Meadows General Plan.
Some of the issues that exist include:
• Access. The plan proposes a single point of access which would require a bridge over Bear Creek and an internal road of about 1,500 feet in length. Another access point could be established off John Scott Trail on a private road maintained by the Bear Creek Association, however, this alternative would require approval by the BCA board. If it is approved, the internal road would not be constructed and more open space would be created.
• Construction traffic and infrastructure could last for years.
• The most significant impacts will be scenic. It will be very visible to people on the Five Lakes Trail which is located directly across the valley from the proposed subdivision.
The project proposal has been submitted by Chris Nelson, a principal at Capstone Partners, in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and two other couples. The Alpine Meadows property was purchased in 1997. Nelson said, according to the article in Moonshine Ink, that “We are making a good-faith effort to develop plans that most homeowners support.” The project seems to have garnered some support from homeowners who live further from it. However, there is also strong opposition to the project from homeowners who are closer to it.
To read the entire article, click on the Moonshine Ink website.
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