Douglas County Discusses Growth Plan Restrictions
At the July 1, 2021 Douglas County Board of Commissioners Meeting, the Commissioners discussed the growth management ordinance. Currently, there is an overal limit on growth until build out which is forecasted under a 50 year plan, which started in 2006, and expiring in 2056. The limit is tied to a 2% antipcation of of population increase and compounds over time for unused allocations. In past years, there was moderate demand for allocations, with
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board meeting, the release of allocations was approved.
BACKGROUND:
Community Development staff tracks subdivision development and building allocations as required by the growth management ordinance. Several members of the Board have indicated a desire to review this data and the ordinance's effectiveness. Douglas County Code Chapter 20.560 Building Permit Allocation and Growth Management, specifically section 20.560.060 (H) Periodic Review, reads as follows:
H. Periodic review.
The board may during a master plan review, and must at every five year interval, commencing in 2011 review the growth of the population and the number of allocations used, the effect of growth on essential resources, facilities and services, and the quality of life for the communities and inhabitants of Douglas County to determine if there has been a change that requires amendment of this chapter. If the board determines that the administrative procedures of this chapter not affecting the total number of allocations must be changed based on its review, the changes may be made by the board in the form of an ordinance at any time.
In accordance with the ordinance section above, a review of Building Permit Allocation and Growth Management was held in 2011 and during the 2016/2017 draft Master Plan presentations. Building permit and allocation
information related to the ordinance was presented by staff to the Planning Commission in the 2020 Master Plan Growth Management Element.
The 2020 Master Plan Implementation Element includes Action Item G.1. which requires Douglas County to "[d]evelop key indicators to monitor the impacts of growth and the progress toward implementing the County's growth management programs; report annually on their effectiveness and possible improvements."In February of this year, the Planning Commission reviewed the data presented by staff and provided comments on the allocation system and building trends.
Minutes and supplemental materials from that meeting have been attached as a reference. The intent of this discussion is to provide the Board and public an overview of the ordinance, how it works, and a status update on building
allocations.
CULMINATION OF DISCUSSION:
- Commissioners showed a concern on the number of development allocations available, and "pro building" interests. Comments included considering changes to the growth ordinance to further limit the number of allocations available overall, and every year (not allowing them to roll over, starting with a smaller number, setting an expiration date for grandfathered/contractual rights.)
- County Staff, including the District Attorney's Office noted that the ordinance would require an advisory vote in the next election cycle - for consideration prior to the change of the ordinance by the commissioners.
- Action taken directed staff to have the item come back to the board for further discussion at a future date.
- County Manager, Patrick Cates, suggested starting with stakeholder engagement in the community, and then sending the item to the Planning Commission for review.
CATT ADVOCACY:
- The SLT Government Affairs Manager is continuing to comment on policy with Douglas County elected officials and staff regarding items that affect the construction industry.
For more information, please contact Natalie Yanish, CATT South Lake Tahoe Government Affairs Manager (c) 775.843.7142 or natalie@ca-tt.com.
El Dorado County Bringing Forth VHR Restrictions Again
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors agenda on August 24th, 2021 will include discussion regarding limiting or “buffering” the amount of short-term rental or vacation home rental (VHR) permits within neighborhoods.
The Supervisors have suggested a 500 ft. buffer around the edge of a parcel, which disqualies any other parcel that touches directed staff to report back with information on “buffering” distance, or the elimination of parcels eligibility to receive a permit near existing VHR permitted properties. The intention is to spread VHR uses throughout neighborhoods and avoid “clustering”, or VHR permitted properties being located close to each other. This comes in response to some complaints by residents about parking, noise, and trash nuisances in neighborhoods.
The County staff and Supervisors have recognized that inadequate enforcement of nuisance ordinances is a major contributor exacerbating the issue for some residents. The County cites lack of resources and staff to enforce nuisance ordinances and administer citations.
The August 24th agenda and packet has not been released yet, and will be able to be accessed at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors prior to the meeting on their website (where you can also find meeting archives): https://eldorado.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
For more information or feedback, please contact Natalie Yanish, CATT South Lake Tahoe Government Affairs Manager (c) 775.843.7142 or natalie@ca-tt.com.
SAVE THE DATE - NEXT SLT LGAC MEETING
July 14th, 2021 at 5:30pm
Zoom Invitation to follow.
SLT LGAC Priorities - approved by CATT Members – UPDATED MAY 2021
El Dorado County VHR restrictions
- Possible Moratorium on VHR permitting, cap, and locational or density requirements within neighborhoods
Douglas County VHR Restrictions
- Moratorium on VHR permits, possible cap and locational restrictions
City of South Lake Tahoe
- Climate Action Plan (CAP) - Content of proposed strategies and impacts on construction
- Electrification of buildings, code above Title 24
ONE Tahoe
- User basin entry fee
- Toll for commuters, visitors, and commercial vehicles
Permitting - local jurisdictions
- City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, Douglas County - Permitting turn around time frames
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency residential allocation release timeframes and deadline for plan submission
- Transparent reporting of building permit data by El Dorado County, City of SLT, and Douglas County
TRPA “Tahoe Living” Working Group
- Recommendations to relax code and ordinances and incentives for workforce housing
- Density requirements, project process streamlining, possible deed restriction, fee/taxes to fund affordable housing, incentivizing ADU’s
TRPA Growth Restriction Policies