Heavenly cleared to build lodge near top of gondola
By Kathryn Reed
Heavenly Mountain Resort will be able to begin construction on its mid-mountain lodge at the end of the month.
An appeal to the U.S. Forest Service’s “finding of no significant impact” has delayed the paperwork being signed off and therefore the project. Originally, Heavenly had hoped to start on June 15, with a Nov. 1 completion date. Now resort officials expect to open the lodge after the season begins.
East Peak Lodge at Heavenly will get some competition this winter when the lodge at the top of the gondola opens. Photo/Kathryn Reed
Robert Coronado wanted the Forest Service to prepare a complete environmental impact statement on the 14,965-square-foot lodge at the top of the gondola – elevation 9,100 feet.
No indoor facility exists at that location. It will seat nearly 500 people.
Coronado also contended the project would increase traffic, have impacts on wildlife and not meet Clean Air Act guidelines.
Forest Supervisor Terri Marceron spoke with Coronado on July 6 in an attempt to resolve the issue. She was unsuccessful.
“As per Forest Service administrative procedures, the appeal was then reviewed by an appeal reviewing officer. The appeal reviewing officer found that Terri adequately addressed all the issues, and the regional forester upheld his review and affirmed Terri’s decision,” Forest Service spokeswoman Cheva Heck told Lake Tahoe News.
That decision came July 8. Heavenly can begin work 15 business days from that date. The plan is to break ground on the year-round lodge as soon as the all-clear signal is given.
With water, gas and sewer lines already installed, it means construction does not have to go over two seasons. Construction crews will access the site via the dirt road from the Stagecoach Lodge in Nevada.
It should be noted the utilities were already present at the site, and not recently constructed or installed.
This approval is bogus as Heavenly has not finished with the paperwork. There are still three full eighteen wheeler trucks chock full of forms that have not been submitted to the TRPAZI for approval. In fact, enough paper was used to print the New York Times for a year.
Why should Heavenly continually improve their the mountain to further the emjoyment of guests? Who do they think they are, despoiling the Sierra Nevadas.
I sure hope this lodge won’t be visible from lake level. Why don’t they turn off that light at the top of the gondola? Keep our mountains dark!
This lodge has been on the books for many years. I’m glad it’s finally going to be built. It’s one of many steps needed to raise the bar in our community.
Yipee and about time too!! Like it or not, our economy at the lake is dependent on sales tax and TOT dollars spent by those “guests” at our lodging, eating and shopping venues….many of which are in California.
Who is Robert Coronado and why was he able to hold up this project?
I’m excited and enjoy the resort. Do do all of my family and friends who come to enjoy skiing and spend their money. I want our community to thrive so we can all continue to be lucky enough to live here.