By Kathryn Reed

El Dorado County is miffed with South Lake Tahoe’s decision to abort its presentation to the Board of Supervisors less than 24 hours before it was to take place.

The city was supposed to explain its latest redevelopment proposal to the county on Tuesday. Instead, City Manager Dave Jinkens sent a letter to County Administrator Gayle Erbe-Hamlin the afternoon of Feb. 1 that requested postponement and denied her request dated Jan. 26 asking for more time to comment on the environmental documents.

The redevelopment plan that encompasses the bulk of the city’s businesses and residents along Emerald Bay Road and on Highway 50 from the Y to Glenwood Avenue is slated to be discussed by the city’s planning commission in the coming weeks, with the council likely to take it up in March.

Mike Applegarth, senior administrative analyst for El Dorado County, said his bosses wanted to hear about the project “in advance of formal proceedings, before you can’t undo things.”

The loss of sales tax dollars is what has the county concerned regarding the 45-year plan.

Jinkens in his letter says he is out of town on business and that others who were to speak Tuesday would likely be at a bankruptcy meeting regarding the would-be convention center.

Why Jinkens is in San Diego is not known. The city knew about the bankruptcy hearing on Jan. 28.

Applegarth said staff and the Board of Supervisors are frustrated because it has taken months to get a date on the books for the presentation.

“We take direction from the board. It’s hard for us to make a comment on a project of this significance without board input,” Applegarth said as to why the county has not submitted comments.

The comment period on the draft Environmental Impact Report ended Jan. 14.

Jinkens letter says, “All other agencies that received notice have provided comments within the time limits prescribed in law.” He also said he is willing to reschedule and to answer any questions staff or supervisors have.

City officials are slated to make a presentation about the redevelopment plan on Feb. 18 at 2pm to the South Tahoe Public Utility District board.