Squaw Valley Resort’s expansion plan has passed another hurdle on its way to approval. With a thumbs up from the Placer County Planning Commission, the project moves this fall to the County Board of Supervisors for final approval. Our Tahoe-based reporter Amy Westervelt has that story.
Squaw CEO Andy Wirth says he was pleased with the civility of the meeting, as well as discussion around one key issue. “The thing that struck me yesterday was something we can all agree to: the current circumstance around traffic and transit is unacceptable," he says. "It has little or nothing to do with our company’s efforts on this redevelopment packet.”
Jesse Patterson, deputy director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe says the region can’t handle more traffic. “Our concern is that good projects for the Lake down the line wouldn’t be able to be approved because there won’t be any room left for traffic.”
Squaw’s Wirth says he wants to lead the charge to solve the traffic issue. “We’ve developed some initiatives and I think we might be in front of voters as soon as this fall or next fall to fund not only Placer County-wide but a credible, reliable mass transit system here in all of north Lake Tahoe.”
The League’s Patterson wants to see that on paper. “It’s a very nice presentation but it’s all talk. And I’m not saying he’s not genuine it’s just that right now it’s all talk. There’s nothing in the environmental document, there’s nothing that’s any kind of substantive commitment.”
As it considers both the Squaw and Martis Valley West proposals this fall, the Placer County Board of Supervisors is also drafting a new land-use plan for north Tahoe.
