Catalyst project gone; Meyers’ future undecided
By Kathryn Reed
MEYERS – “The catalyst project is dead. You have my word on it. If you want, I’ll put it in writing.”
That’s how El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago started Wednesday night’s meeting about the Meyers Area Plan.
It ended with local resident Steve Bannar pointing out the good aspects of Meyers, that the policymakers are not the enemies, and that it is time to concentrate on the positives and for people to get involved. His words were met with the loudest round of applause during the two-hour meeting at the CCC offices.
El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago pulls the plug on the catalyst project for Meyers. Photo/Kathryn Reed
In between those two speakers was an hour of Q&A where about 30 of the nearly 150 people in attendance spoke. At times it was contentious, but mostly it was passion that came through.
In the audience were South Tahoe High students getting extra credit for their AP environmental studies class.
The first hour of the Feb. 26 meeting was county and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials comparing the 1993 community plan to the draft area plan.
Catalyst project shelved
The so-called catalyst project was something Santiago spearheaded. She is the one who directed Kim Kerr, assistant county administrative officer, to process the contract that was then signed by CAO Terri Daly.
It was $25,000 worth of taxpayer money that is now in the trash.
“I caused a lot of angst, anxiety, fear and all kinds of things in this community, even divisiveness. I am sorry for that,” Santiago said in her apology for having pushed the catalyst project through.
Symbolically, she then crossed the project off the board.
While One Globe’s idea is off the table, the draft Meyers Area Plan as it stands today would allow anyone to come forward with a similar idea. Santiago only has the power to nix this particular idea because she was the driving force behind it.
Santiago later said it’s possible to add to the area plan that the community does not support a large development.
Differences between 1993 and 2014
Adam Lewandowski with TRPA went over the basics:
• Meyers has about 33,000-square-feet of commercial floor area.
• There are 17 leftover tourist accommodation units from a former hotel. Ten new TAUs are available.
• Eight residential units may be built.
“Those numbers are not set in stone. You can transfer development rights,” Lewandowski said.
He said the TRPA Regional Plan update did not change the density and height for Meyers, but instead allows Meyers to have a say in what the rules will be.
The old plan had five special districts. The new plan condenses them. The old plan allowed lodging in specific areas. The new one allows it in more areas.
The draft plan includes a recreation district that encompasses the campground and golf courses. New residences would not be allowed in that zone, whereas the old plan would allow that use.
The draft plan adds 357 acres of conservation land that includes land for hiking, trails and other recreation.
A big change from 21 years ago is the two-tiered incentive program.
“It’s definitely the most controversial part of the area plan based on comments and the petition that is circulating,” Lewandowski said.
If developers met certain criteria, they would be allowed to build a taller, denser building than the baseline regulations.
Meyers used the TRPA standard for height in the community plan. The range is 24 to 42 feet, with a slew of factors determining what can go where.
The draft plan calls for 35 feet to be the maximum, but 45 feet if incentives are met.
The CCC building is 35-feet tall and Lira’s is 36 feet.
The existing plan calls for motels to allow 40 units per acre, apartments 15 per acre.
The draft calls for 30 hotel units per acre or 40 if incentives are met. Apartments would be 20 per acre or 25 with incentives.
Going forward
Scenic issues are a big concern for residents that go beyond the typical TRPA definition.
While the view corridor will be protected so a building does not obscure the mountain vistas, the whole look of the area could be improved through the area plan. This includes landscaping and signs.
No matter what plan is approved, Caltrans this summer will be putting in major water quality improvements. Included in this is a crosswalk on Highway 50 at Apache Avenue.
The county has money to improve the Pat Lowe bike trail.
Grants are being sought for other projects.
Brendan Ferry, chief planner for the county, said implementation is a huge component of the area plan. That is one reason he is actively seeking grant money to make Meyers a more walkable, bikeable community.
A couple people questioned whether there could be wriggle room with the height in case a unique project came forward that would need more space, such as a climbing wall or ski ramp like Woodward at Boreal has.
Some want to keep the old plan as the law of the land.
John Friedrich asked who is going to decide whose ideas eventually end up in the final document. Santiago did not have a concise answer, but instead said it will be based on general consensus.
Bruce Grego proposed the voters have final say. Santiago told him he was free to do just that, adding that she would not bring it to the Board of Supervisors to consider placing it on the ballot.
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Notes:
• The next meeting on the draft area plan is March 19 at 6pm at the CCC building.
• No deadline has been set for when comments will end.
• Comments and responses will be posted on the county’s website.
• Comments may be emailed to MeyersAreaPlan@edcgov.us.
This was a project Santiago spearheaded. THen she should pay the Tax payers back for the money she chose to waist.
Private business should spearhead development projects and use private money, not government.
Arrogant government over stepping it’s bounds again.
C J : I agree. Our local governments have also waisted money on senseless “impact studies”. The latest example is the college spending thousands of dollars to determine the viability of a new bond measure.
GOD, does answer prayers.
Norman did the right thing backing away from the One Globe concept but I don’t feel TRPA was completely honest with their presentation.
The new Meyers Area Plan does increase development by using the shell game of consolidating previously lower development mapped areas into one region with a higher development capability. Adam wouldn’t confess to that reality. TRPA also can choose to increase or modify transferable development rights which throw another curve into possibilities of increased development in Meyers.
Then add the Conservancy assets land sales…
The higher development capability and the CFA distribution are the key to providing loop holes for large corporate development. That’s what needs to be worked on.
That , and the land use and zoning changes are also dangerous for existing businesses to stay afloat if larger development comes in next door.
But I’m not suggesting we shoudln’t have some reasonable revenue generating development to pay for county services and with unique character.
Banner’s suggestion to stop wasting time is a mute point – this process needs to be slowed down to allow more “genuine” public input for a final product that everyone wants.
Way to go, Myers’ residents!
Did the contract that One Globe received for $25,000 go out to bid? They are located in Crystal Bay. Just wondering…
It is unfortunate so much time was wasted by the agencies talking around direct answers. That is probably one reason a process could go on for almost 2 years and no one was made aware of the impacts.
It was not clear if Norma was willing to slow the Area Plan process down, but I think Meyers should keep asking for more time, especially when so many people came out last night only to have so much of THEIR time wasted listening to the agency rhetoric. For example, if you look at the old 1993 boundaries and compare them to what TRPA rezoned a Town Center in 2012, things were blended and more development was allowed, period. But when asked this question 3 different times last night, Adam refused to answer directly, instead talking around and around the response.
Meyers, I encourage you look at the documents and facts for yourselves. And keep in mind those CTC lots – almost 6 acres that could be sold to someone who could then consolidate many lots and merge development rights to build something big. A statement that Meyers does not want big development isn’t good enough. Adjusting the zoning for height, density, and land uses in the Plan to reflect that we don’t want big development – THAT is what needs to be done.
Finally, amazing turnout that was likely in large part due to all of those community members on their own time and own dime, out with flyers and petitions – thank them if you see them!
Norma Santiago is not starving….
The people with negative comments don’t know how to spell the word- wasted. Need I say more?
Thank you J&B !
All these proposals and new plans and we still cannot get Caltrans to commit to a STOP LIGHT to allow us to cross HWY 50 safely. That should be the prime directive. What good is a town center when you have to take your life in your own hands dodging cars?
However planning documents are modified throughout the process, the mandate for performance bonds must be included. There is always the concern that a new project will be half-finished and then abandoned or a new project will remain empty and become a blight. Performance bonds and careful planning can help avert these possibilities.
What would people like to see built in Meyers?
We will probably never know who was really behind the Catalyst plan. I am a cynic and convinced it was shady, and there were favors and consideration passed around for One Globe to propose such a sweeping development and get paid for doing it.
I hope this creates a situation where Mrs. Santiago just waits out her term and vanishes. She is not what she represented herself to be when originally elected, or alternatively, has been grossly corrupted by the power, perks and opportunities of the position. She certainly has not stood up for the people who elected her very well, and has been almost unapproachable during the bulk of her term. I certainly got tired of feel good, placating messages from her assistant in p’ville, and I doubt it was different for others.
The “One Hub’s” self sufficient, concentrated housing, bla bla bla is not even technologically feasible at this point. Especially considering the geography and regulatory environment we are subject to in this area.
This was someone’s plan to get in fast and first with vague,almost sci-fi descriptions of buzz-worded, feel good, green, low impact developments that has not been done before anywhere, much less here. The splash of publicity would have been almost guaranteed to get them in line for getting fat from grants, feasibility studies, consulting contracts (sound familiar?) for years on end.
Meyers residents and interested parties almost certainly surprised the people behind this, by not being the slow, un-involved, uninformed group they had counted on.
Congratulations and Go Meyers!
The traffic signal at Highway 50 and Pioneer Trail needs to be adjusted so 50 mph highway traffic in both directions does not need to come to a screeching stop every minute or less for just one car approaching the intersection from Pioneer Trail.
LOL! So, if Larry Ellison had come into Meyers with say $300 million in cash to buy the three corners around 89 & 50 and said he wanted to build a “Catylist Project Garage” that included multi-floor storage units for his “toys,” everyone would be ok with that. Private property and all you know.
Observer and Anonymous, We probably will never learn who was behind “The Catalyst Project”. It smelled fishy right from the git go and still does. I agree with you observer, the developer, TRPA, CTC and Norma Santiago did not see the public outcry that came from the local residents in regards to this crazy plan.
Anonymous in Meyers, What I want to see in Meyers is Joe Tvetens old place removed and replaced with a classic large log cabin. Inside we’d have public restrooms, a small historial museum,information desk, stone fireplace, FREE coffee, tea and when in season hot spiced apple cider from Apple Hill. Out back of the log cabin a dog run, bicycle rentals off to the side as well as electric rental cars.
Lighted walkways using local trees instead of metal posts. A stop light at Apache and 50,(long overdue). Bus service to Meyers and Christmas Valley (that one’s for Shenja). A farmers market but ixnay on the craft fairs except for local artisians, and musicians i.e Tahoe mountain Soap Co., Local bakeries and accoustic performances by LOCAL groups or individuals.
All construction and materials to be done by local folks and materials purchased from local vendors. Sierra Tahoe Ready- Mix, Meeks, Tahoe Asphalt and so on.
That’s just the beginning. Hey and I didn’t even charge a “consultation fee”, ( yeechh, I just threw up in my throat a little from using the “C” word.)
Those are just a few ideas. Take care Old Long Skiis
)
Anymore? Yeah, lots. Take care , Old Long Skiis
OLS. I am going to go out on a limb and say NOTHING gets done. Little Norway has sat burnt for what 25 years? Exxon 20 years? Now, Alpaca Petes for how long? I am sure that if the “project” had been developed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Bill Gates and John Muir, “Meyers” would be against it.
Hey Rock4–
I detect a fellow cynic here. Kinda hard not to be.
BTW I totally agree that Ellison could build anything in Tahoe he wanted, anywhere. He could just agree to a fee of some sort that would say, pay the TRPA expenses and salaries for 5 years, and get a permit to farm algae in the lake. TRPA would then find a way to describe how it was green (oops!) or good for the lake. They above all will run toward money.
I agree that virtually any small project even one that made a positive change in blight would find a few naysayers, but if it was not a Vail (or its moneyed ilk) sponsored project it could be done with some effort and education. Actually, permitting things that were supposed to be un-permittable is what I did for years in a prior life.
I once investigated an idea I had for the Tweten site. The county environmental/health dept did everything they could to scare me off, with stories of underground gas pollution, sewer improvements etc etc. I found that strange.
Observer, Does the county have any information on the site, like test wells, dirt samples, anything?
The only thing that Meyer’s needs is a large sports bar with pool tables, a BoA branch or Well Fargo, and an In an Out burger with sit down only.
observer and rock4tahoe, Yeah I know my ideas and others thoughts on improvements are seen as farfetched by some.
Will they ever come to fruition? Only time will tell. I feel it’s better to offer suggestions and good ideas rather than discounting others ideas and calling someones aforementioned ideas “undoable”, “impractical” or “it will never get done.”
Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. It’s far too easy to sit back and criticize without offering any suggestions to make things better.
I’m alway open to other peoples ideas to make Lake Tahoe be all it can be.
A beautful alpine lake with with fresh air and water and the best views the whole earth affords. We just need a little fixin’ up. As always, Take care, Old Long Skiis
OLS. IMO. Any time you have more the two or three people involved with input and veto power, the default is to disagree and do nothing; human nature.
OLS. PS. It’s not that your ideas are far fetched, it’s just look at what has happened in Meyers over say the past 30 years… Nothing. Imagine Stateline if only the 76 station and the Red Carpet had been painted (or the 76 station boarded up and abandoned?) If, El Dorado beach had been left to crumble into the lake? If the old Ski Run Marina had been left to crumble and no water collection at Lake Wildwood? It starts to look 3rd world, but maybe that’s the point.
WOW ! I don’t know what to say.. Someone actually acknowledged one of the issues that I think gets greatly overlooked! TRANSPORTATION! Thanks OldLong Skiis! If it’s done correctly .. Public transportation out here could be a huge part of improving the quality of this place. Aren’t we all trying to get out of our cars and help the environment ?! How can we say that we’re doing our best to improve the natural quality of this place if we all get in our cars every day to DRIVE INTO TOWN !
rock4tahoe, I’m really liking some of the improvements that have been made right here in good ol’ So.Lake Tahoe. The complete make over of El Dorado beach is great, now lets continue it on down to the Alta Mira building. Sidewalks with street lights! I never in all my years here thought I’d see that!!! Water retention basins catching street run off and the elimination of Lake Wildwood. The linear park in front of Tahoe Meadows and across the street the childrens memorial with a new tree with deceased kids names on brass plaques (thanks Kenny and crew). Bulldozing the old C&M rooms and putting in a neighborhood park with benches and a half court basketball court on Bonanza ave. A new ladder truck for the fire department. Construction ongoing at the hole(finally!) Harrison ave. upgrade starting this year.
Bus transportation to Meyers and Chrismas valley Is on the horizon. A complete overlay of our city sreets will become a reality when funding is secured.
ALOT is going on in this sleepy little town. Lets keep the ball rolling. Lookin’ to the future, OLS
OLS, I have to agree with you, I’m pretty impressed with the forward progress being made here, though much remains to be done. I understand some of the cynicism and negativity spewed forth on this site by those who have been disappointed in the past, but I just don’t get the point of dwelling on it when so many positive things are happening. It is a paradise, that just needs some sprucing up on the built environment side and continuing momentum on reaching its potential.
I’ve been coming up to Tahoe for 30 some years, and there’s no place I like to visit better. I spend a fair amount of time traveling throughout the western states for vacations and sightseeing, but for outdoor recreation, scenery, and weather, you can’t beat what’s here. And in a few hours, you can be in Yosemite or the Eastern Sierra.
I was just in Colorado for a few weeks cross country skiing in early Feb. Sure, the snow was better than here at that time, and it has fancier towns and better restaurants. But, it was damn cold and blowing a lot. A few days ago, before this storm, I was up on the upper Kirkwood cross country ski area. I was skiing in shirt sleeves in the sun, in 45 degree weather that felt like 60 degrees. The scenery looking towards Caples lake and Kirkwood downhill area from the ridge was more spectacular than any I saw in Colorado in the best that Vail and Breckenridge had to offer. And the snow, while somewhat mushier at Kirkwood, was still great for skiing and slowed me enough from crashing on some of the steeper downslope plunges.
In early January up here, the snow was barren, but I still managed to find some skiable trails in Hope Valley and the meadows/Tahoe rim trail of Mt. Rose. Then hiked in Carson valley and even on the rim trail near Kingsbury pass where the snow was mostly gone. Now it’s back.
In summer, while afternoon thunderstorms pound the Rockies daily, the Sierra trails are mostly dry with perfect weather. And there’s nothing in many of these other states as magnificent as Lake Tahoe or Fallen Leaf to kayak on or hike above. Am watching the progress on round the lake bike trails with great interest as well.
So, I’m always drawn back to South Lake, warts and all – it has so much to promote as a recreational paradise for visitors compared with the many other great destinations of the west. I realize that the concerns of locals go much beyond those of regular visitors like myself. But this area, with the coming improvements to be put in place to modernize visitor amenities while keeping the local flavor, will still be tops for me.
OLS, kudos for opening a constructive dialog. I’m no fan of what NS did, and very grateful for the Meyers community in calling her on it.
OLS. Again, I would be happy to just see Little Norway bulldozed or rebuilt or something; it is way overdue; same with the Exxon Station and the junk yards by the “airport.” I just won’t hold my breath. The Upper Truckee problems may just be to much to deal with at this time.
One more airline story…just got off the phone with my 90 year old Dad. He recalls that a couple was staying at our place, The Echo Motel, when the crash happened. Their kids were aboard and on their way here to be with their folks. How sad.
He also recalled another much smaller plane that flew from here before Paradise but he doesn’t remember the name. He tells me there were wooden benches bolted to the floor and you sat along the edge of the plane facing the people across from you on the other side of the plane, and of course, on benches. Round trip from Tahoe to San Jose? $18.00!
“Really” Old Long Skiis (my Dad, says “HI”). OLS
Yeah, and gas was 30 cents a gallon and a McDonalds hamburger was like 20 cents.
If anyone can tell me whom to contact about the petition, I’d appreciate it.