Parking vs. affordable housing. That is likely to be the battle over three properties on Riverside Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

The city is going forward with purchasing the lots at the corner of Merced Avenue that were once part of the Redevelopment Agency.

Two appraisals, the last being in March, values the land at $225,000. The city must purchase it at fair market value. The money will come from unassigned reserves.

While staff has been talking to business owners in the Harrison Avenue area about what they would like done with the land, it isn’t up to them. It will be the City Council’s decision. Business owners want parking. They have learned the hard way that by not having paid parking in the area like the city originally planned means people leave their vehicle for hours, but aren’t necessarily spending money at their places.

Parking would require amendments to planning documents.

Some on the council want the parcels to be turned into affordable housing. Combined they could fit five units, individually one unit each.

Housing is an allowable use.

The council in early 2018 is expected to make a decision about how to develop the land. Other options could be brought forward from the public, electeds or staff.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report