South Shore officials attempting to erase state line
By Kathryn Reed
STATELINE – Land capability is being redefined on the South Shore.
Mostly it has to do with using what exists to its maximum potential. A presentation Nov. 4 by Richard Shaw, principal planner with Design Workshop in Aspen, pointed out what is lacking on the South Shore and what could be changed.
“One of the fundamental problems is recreation is not close to the bed base,” Shaw said during the inaugural joint meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council and Douglas County Commission.
Richard Shaw presents the South Shore Vision Plan on Nov. 4 to South Tahoe and Douglas County officials. Photo/Kathryn Reed
The South Shore Vision Plan if implemented, would aesthetically and functionally transform the area of Highway 50 from Ski Run Boulevard to Kahle Drive.
It’s about creating an area that appeals to locals and tourists. It’s also about making the built environment as pleasing as the natural landscape, recognizing gaming is not going to be the driving economic force it was, and that the environment could benefit from redevelopment instead of the status quo.
While Shaw talked about providing more public beach access in the Stateline area if and when Edgewood Lodge is built and via a future water borne transit terminal at Lakeside Marina, South Tahoe Mayor Hal Cole took issue with whether the plan really provides more beach access when people might have to get on a boat to get to some strip of sand.
The casinos are a seven-minute walk to Lake Tahoe, but there is no signage in the casino corridor saying where any recreation entity is.
The financial feasibility of the project is going forward, with the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts having sought request for proposals. Mike Bradford, CEO of Lakeside Inn and a driving force behind the South Shore Vision Plan, said Carl Ribaudo’s company Strategic Marketing Group is likely to be selected for the job.
All that is holding back the financial analysis is South Lake Tahoe agreeing to put in $10,000. STAR, Douglas County and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority have contributed to the pot.
Once the feasibility study is done, the next major component is environmental analysis.
The LTVA board will hear a presentation about the RFP candidates at its Nov. 10 3pm meeting in Stateline.
Other items
• The two elected bodies also discussed looking at ways to better share resources, perhaps even combining things to reduce redundancy. While no decisions were made at the gathering at Edgewood Tahoe – libraries, police, fire, recreation, special events, transportation – all were broached.
• John Hester with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency gave a brief update on the Regional Plan, saying the idea is to give more control to local jurisdictions.
• Nevada Senate Bill 271, which could alter how TRPA functions, was touched on. All agreed it seems to have been a stimulus for igniting dialog in the basin about what really needs to happen.
• The electeds agreed more joint meetings need to occur. This was the first time many of them had met each other.
Missing from this coverage is the fact that not only once, but twice pressure seemed to be put on the city council and manager to come up with $10,000 for the analysis. In both instances, there was nothing but blank stares and poker faces from the city council while our city manager seemed to nod his head in agreement. The NV folks were very politically correct and did not press for an answer or thoughts which seemed starnge. After aLL, They were all in the SAME ROOM…FINALLY.
Everything in the presentation was common-sense and has been talked about for over 30 years. Studies are nice but what is misssing is how this gets done from a financial viewpoint, Yes, this will require outside investment but who is in charge of leading the charge. One might consider asking why not back burner the studies and first find someone interested in the vision.
Final thought, where is Caesars Entertainment in all of this? They control the bulk of downtown along with Park Cattle. I think we need to see where they shake out on all of this. Are they ready to be a lead and committ capital when potential investors step up?
I did not see this string until today. The beach at the end of Stateline is currently “private”, and those folks did/paid for the improvements. A first step might be to buy those improvements and open the beach up to the public. Add kayak & paddleboard rentals, a few good places to eat, and we will all come. It is VERY hard to find the lake at South Shore. So we all go to Camp Rich to sun, wine & dine, xc ski, boat, kayak, etc.
Also, the proposed bike trail from Sierra Blvd/Barbara should get close to the lake at Stateline and continue thru Edgewood along the lake as far as possible. The proposed bike trail should also start at the airport or Meyers as originally planned, with public parking made available at the Meyers/Airport trail-start/end.
Locals are still angry because there is no courtesy parking around stateline — and no-one at Tahoe (except management) makes enough $ to pay parking and still wine & dine at all. At Camp Rich, they at least validate their parking with dining at the Beacon. Public beach access around stateline could include free xc skiing & snow-shoeing as a winter view-augment to the downhill skiing. And if there were places to get warm & have a drink/snack, and sun-chairs (Adirondack) in the snow on sunny days — I bet business would increase. You could have the mountain experience at lake level. I lived in Aspen, and also skiied Sun Valley, Idaho & around Europe – and traveled with those who don’t downhill ski. They provide xc, sleds, snowshoe, etc and lots of good places to eat & drink. (The horse-drawn sleds should have a dinner-package like Sun Valley has — going to a snug place to eat & return on the horse-sled). And buy that private beach property — all beaches should be accessible to the public anyway! (Like in Hawaii)
I agree with Judi, and also ‘dryclean – Judi for suggesting that all the fences should come down. . . as in “finding the Lake” as a vision theme will not come to fruition if these “baffles” (both visually & spiritually) are in the way. . .
Somewhere along the line, we got into this private “Ownership” (it’s mine !) issue, as if exclusivity were what Tahoe should be about – NOT !
As for ‘dryclean”. he makes a good point about “Caesar’s Entertainment”, as they own both Harrah’s & Harvey’s (after selling Caesar’s, not to own 3 out of 4 at Staeline) – they paid over 20 billion $$ for 50 locations, but owe some extra allegiance to where it all started – Reno and especially Lake Tahoe (the first two). It is time for them to step up. . .
Changing the name of the Gaming Alliance to S.T.A.R. (South Tahoe Association of Resorts) seems to skirt the issue, even if ‘dryclean’ didn’t know they acme up with the first $ 50,000 – now an additional $ 35 – 50,000 to “justify” the financials of doing it all – ( seems obvious enough, doesn’t it) – historically, casinos didn’t have much interest in “hurrying” people along to the outdoors (i.e., that’s also why you won’t find a clock anywhere inside either).
So, ‘dryclean’s’ point about a ‘backburner’ until finding out where they stand on this actually coming to fruition is very important – but the two investment banks’ debt load in buying Harrah’s may not be up to the task unless they reverse course.
But a loyalty to where it all started would be to their (and our) advantage. . . once again, we shall see. . .
As an owner of a beach front property that has been in the family since the 1930s, I so disagree with opening up our beach to public. Our association and gated community is a wonderful piece of property, a wonderful community, and a treasure. If opened to the public, almost all would be lost. My grandfather and father put in alot of thier money, time, and love for this place. It is more pristine and historic than almost anyplace in Tahoe. Our kids run free without the fear of the public and strangers. We all know each other, each others parents, and grandparents. We play softball together and have saturday night campfire, skits, and more. Its a truely wonderful community that exists only because we our are own community. It could not exist if it was opened up to the public. Its a treasure I hope to give to my children and grandchildren. Why do you the public deserve to ruin our wonderful little world that we have so loved and taken care of. You say, you will not ruin it, but oh yes the public and vistors will. Look around and see what you have done to most of the basin. How would you feel if the “goverment” came and took something you and your family loved and worked so had for for over 70 years. We were her before the casinos, before the crowds, before all the developement. If left to us, this association property will still be a wonder pristine, calm, historic, family orientated place 50 or more years from know. And to those selfish people who would like to take our beach, land, and privacy, we will fight you with everything we have for as long as we need to, because there is nothing more precious than our comminty. If you want to get mad, get mad at the city of Tahoe who never planned ahead before developement to make public beaches or okayed the enviromental disaster of the Tahoe Keys. Please help protect these areas of historical value. Once lost, forever lost, a treasure thrown away.
Well well Penny, so here we have it. Exactly why Tahoe is the way it is, typical attitude, I, Me, Mine, Not yours, me me me . Lest you not realize Penny, all beaches are public beaches. You can never own the water or the beach. You property line probably stops where the sand gets wetter and anyone can walk on the public beach anytime. If left to you, the beach will be yours, if left to others, it will available for all to enjoy.
Penny…I am assuming you live in Tahoe Meadows. This article isn’t about you and your snobby attitude, I believe it’s about Lakeside beach.
Your post really rubbed me wrong …do you dare come out from behind your fence and shop in our town? Do you dare drive down our streets and use our services?
I should hope you stay behind your fence and not venture out into the horrible Lake Tahoe as we wouldn’t want to contaminate you. But then, again, if you did you’d notice a lot of community spirit in a lot of neighborhoods in our great town. Neighbors aren’t narrow minded and enjoy the company of others. Other areas have softball games and block parties and watch out for each other.
Better watch out, the historical value of Tahoe Meadows (what is it anyway?) might get in the way when you want to remodel or fix a road!
So, just out of curiousity, do you pay property taxes all the way out to the high water line? Is the sand deeded specifically to you? If so, I guess it’s yours. If not, well, then you might have to share.
Lakeside Marina and Beach has boat, jet ski, kayak, peddle boats and stand up boards rentals. The homeowners and motels pay a membership for use and this beach is available to the public for a daily fee.
It also is the only beach along the south shore with lifeguards on duty.
There’s also a restaurant and wedding chapel. This area is heavily used during the warmer months.
The beach along Edgewood and Tahoe Meadows access is pretty restricted.
And so, beacuse of people like you, I prey for another wet winter to fill up the lake, so that you can enjoy your 4 inches of beach. But beware. if you step over that line, You’ve now entered private property. And good luck teaching your dog not to go over that 4 inches. Bettter bring a really small towel. Like a wash cloth. Thank goodness most folks respect our association beaches, respect how we have taken care of them and the land, respect that we worked really hard for it, and respect our privacy. And if they like it that much, they are welcome to work really hard so that they can rent or own one of these great places. I’m not stopping you from going to a public beach and enjoying the wonderful beautiful lake. There are plenty of beaches out there. Many oppertunities to get out on the lake and enjoy. Maybe it is you that is selfish and me me me.
Penny: most people will respect the boundaries of your association, as I always have. It was the tone of your first post that has left a bad taste in my mouth and I’m sure, other’s. You pretty much told us that we’ve ruined our lake and town and that you are the only ones that have a neighborhood worth living in. My only comment as I respect your homeowner’s association and boundaries. Just don’t forget you’re part of a bigger community.
I’m glad to see talk of moving Highway 50 to behind the casinos, but then the plan STILL MAINTAINS A ROAD WHERE THE CURRENT HIGHWAY 50 IS! Don’t the architects of this plan get it? All you have to do is look at Vail Village or Whistler Village… YOU CAN’T HAVE A ROAD GOING THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF YOUR VILLAGE! Tahoe needs a “destination” village where visitors can walk around on cobblestone walkways and shop, dine, lodge, etc. without worrying about cars driving by! I think that the road that divides the South and North sides of the current Highway 50 is Lake Tahoe’s biggest problem. We need to create a Vail or Whistler, and having a road, even a two lane road, go through the middle of the village simply does not work.
onlyonesolution,
you are correct! HWY 50 should be closed from Raleys to Edgewood golf course and run in a one-way direction around Raleys/The Village/Casinos. The road between the theater and Raleys should also be closed from HWY 50 to the current cross walk. Keep it open from the “new” hwy 50 behind Raleys so Raleys and the parking garage can be accessed. This would be easily tried, get some of those cement barriers and block of the streets for a month or all summer and see how it works. A small price to pay instead of jumping in with an untried project that will cost tens of millions and probably fail.