Major Projects

Welcome to the information page for the proposed Barton Hospital project in Stateline, Nevada. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) staff will keep this page updated with information, meeting schedules, document links, public comments, and opportunities for community engagement. If you would like to be contacted directly with updates, please email BartonProject@trpa.gov and ask to be added to the contact list.

October 2024 Update

As of October 11, TRPA had not yet received a formal permit application for the proposed Barton medical facility.

Barton Health has proposed to relocate the hospital in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. to its property in Stateline, Nev. (formerly the site of Lakeside Inn and Casino). As proposed, the project requires two applications:

1. An application from Douglas County to amend the South Shore Area Plan to allow for specific requirements of a hospital facility.
2. An application to build the project.

Douglas County is proceeding with updates to the South Shore Area Plan unrelated to the Barton project area. Elements that include a special subdistrict for a medical facility on the Barton property will be reviewed in conjunction with the project application. Stay informed about the South Shore Area Plan amendment process on the Douglas County website.

TRPA has determined an Environmental Assessment will be needed to analyze the potential impacts of the proposed project and will review the project application and South Shore Area Plan amendments related to the Barton parcel together under one Environmental Assessment. Once TRPA receives the project application, a timeline for project review, meetings, and public input opportunities will be provided here.

Environmental Assessments

Projects that require environmental documentation first submit an Initial Environmental Checklist to TRPA. The checklist is a questionnaire provided by the applicant that helps determine if additional documentation will be needed. Chapter 3 of the TRPA Code of Ordinances (pg. 74) describes the three levels of review:

1. Initial Environmental Checklist
2. Environmental Assessment (EA)
3. Environmental Impact Statement

Based on initial information, TRPA has requested the applicants prepare an EA. EAs typically include a discussion of the need for the project, alternatives to the proposed project, and a discussion of potential environmental impacts of both.

Background and Process

TRPA is aware that Barton project managers have shared conceptual plans with the community, however the agency will not know what can be approved on the site until a formal application is received and a process is outlined for public input and review.

The project proposal will likely entail several steps:

1. Grading and demolition permit approval – Complete

TRPA reviewed and approved applications for the existing structures to be removed and the site to be graded for a potential project in 2021 and 2024. You can view the permit documents on the TRPA Parcel Tracker file numbers ERSP2021-1943 and ERSP2024-0572.  The grading permits included Best Management Practices (BMPs) for stormwater and erosion control, a dewatering plan, filling in the hole when needed, and returning the site to natural grade. BMPs are required to be designed and maintained for however long it takes to get a permit for a project. Excavation was a necessary part of the demolition, grading, and site work which Barton applied for voluntarily. The grading does not pre-determine the final design of a project.

2. Douglas County South Shore Area Plan amendments – Ongoing

Douglas County is following a process to amend the South Shore Area Plan, which is a joint Douglas County/TRPA planning document for the town center areas of Lower Kingsbury Grade and Stateline. Currently, the County is proceeding with amendments unrelated to a potential medical facility separately from area plan changed requested by Barton Hospital. As stated above, area plan amendments related to the Barton parcel are being reviewed in conjunction with the Barton project application and a single Environmental Assessment is being prepared for both applications.

Barton Hospital requested amendments to the South Shore Area Plan that would allow for a modern hospital with the services Barton wants to provide.
Those area plan amendments include creation of a special subdistrict specific to a medical facility use and increased height limit within the proposed Barton Hospital project area. Within a portion of the subdistrict, a maximum building height of 85 feet from natural grade could be allowed on a portion of the parcel. According to the applicant, building standards for hospitals require additional height for each floor to accommodate special equipment and other needs. The current allowable height on the parcel is 56 feet. The previous Lakeside Inn and Casino was approximately 60 feet from natural grade. The additional height would only apply to a portion of the the project area and not to other locations in the area plan.

The process to review the area plan amendments includes multiple opportunities for advisory bodies and decision makers to gather public input:

1. June 13, 2024 – Douglas County Planning Division Townhall. 
2. June 26, 2024 – Informational presentation by Douglas County to the TRPA Governing Board Regional Planning Committee.
3. August 13, 2024 – Informational presentation by Barton to the Douglas County Planning Commission.

Additional meetings are to be scheduled:

• TRPA Advisory Planning Commission
• TRPA Governing Board Regional Planning Committee
• TRPA Governing Board, for consideration of approval

Should amendments to the area plan be approved, it does not ensure approval of the project nor determine the final building design or height.

3. Hospital permit application process – Not initiated

Although Barton project managers have shared details of its proposal with the community, TRPA cannot determine what may or may not be approved on the site until a formal application process is followed. Once an application is received, the agency will establish a potential timeline for application review, environmental analysis, and public input opportunities. Here are the general steps of the permit process:

1. Determine if the application materials are complete.
2. Notify the applicant the application is complete or request additional information.
3. Determine the scope of the environmental analysis – Complete.
   • TRPA has determined that an Environmental Assessment will be required.
4. Draft a timeline and steps to review the proposed project that include public input opportunities and time for partner agencies and organizations to evaluate it.
5. Seek feedback and recommendations during public hearings from the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission and committees of the Governing Board.
6. Staff recommendation – TRPA will make a recommendation for action to the Governing Board based on collected information, recommendations from the planning commission and board committees, and the proposed project’s conformance with the Regional Plan and Code of Ordinances.
7. Request final action by the Governing Board.

Please email comments and questions to BartonProject@trpa.gov and check back here for updates. If you would like to receive updates directly, please email us and ask to be added to the contact list.

Click here for more info.

2023 Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe Plan Revision

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board approved a plan revision to the Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe project in April, 2023. The revisions to the project formerly called Boulder Bay or Tahoe Biltmore came forward following a public review process and updated analysis of transportation and scenic improvements. The plan revisions result in a 47 percent reduction in the number of units that were approved in 2011, while environmental and community benefits of the project remain. Plan revisions include:

• A reduction in the number of hotel units to 134 from 275.
• A decrease in the number of residential units to 43 from 59, which includes 18 units constructed previously.
• Deed-restricted affordable housing for local employees totaling 38 bedrooms.
• Elimination of a previously approved driveway and interior road to allow for a public plaza.

In 2011, the TRPA Governing Board approved the Boulder Bay Community Enhancement Program Project and certified the Final Environmental Impact Statement following an extensive community engagement and review process. The permit and the majority of the environmental documents have remained current as phases and elements of the original project have continued to advance.

Sitework for the project could begin in 2023.

April 26, 2023 Governing Board Meeting Materials

Agenda Item No. VII.A Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe Project Staff Report

Presentation Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe Project

Errata Agenda Item No. VII.A Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe

• Attachment A  Required Findings
• Attachment B Draft Permit
• Attachment C Project Plans
• Attachment D Initial Environmental Checklist
• Attachment E Scenic Analysis
• Attachment F Balloon Study
• Attachment G VMT
• Attachment H V(g) Findings

Additional Items

• Written Public Comment

Visit the project website for more information.

Meeks Bay Final EIS/EIS/EIR

Appendix A: Resource Protection Measures

Appendix B: Special-Status Species

Appendix C: Emissions Modeling

Appendix D: Noise Modeling

Appendix E: Transportation Modeling

Appendix F: Comments on the Draft EIS/EIS/EIR and Responses

Appendix G: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program

DRAFT Record of Decision – Meeks Bay Restoration Project

Stakeholder Forums:

Meeks Bay Assessment
Stakeholder Forum: Terms of Reference & Meeting Plan
Meeks Stakeholder Forum Representatives 
Meeting Agenda #1 – July 15, 2020
Meeks Forum #1 Presentation
Meeks Bay Forum #1 Finalized Summary
Forum Meeting #1 Link to Video Recording
Meeting Agenda #2 – August 5, 2020
Meeks Bay Forum #2 Presentation
Meeks Bay Forum #2 Finalized Summary
Forum Meeting #2 Link to Video Recording Password: wyAd4.e0
Meeting Agenda #3 – September 9, 2020
Meeks Bay Forum #3 Presentation
Meeks Bay Forum #3 Alternative Theme Diagrams with Questions
Forum Meeting #3 Link to Video Recording
Meeks Bay Forum Meeting #3 Final Summary
Meeting Agenda #4 – December 9, 2020
Meeks Bay Forum Meeting #4 Presentation
Forum Meeting #4 Link to Video Recording
Meeks Bay Forum Meeting #4 Final Summary
Meeting #5 Agenda
Meeting #5 Presentation 
Meeks Bay Forum Meeting #5 Draft Summary
Forum Meeting #5 Link to Video Recording
Meeting #6 Agenda
Meeting #6 Presentation
Meeks Bay Forum Meeting #6 Draft Summary
Forum Meeting #6 Link to Video Recording
Meeting #7 Agenda
Meeting #7 Presentation
Meeks Bay Forum Meeting #7 Draft Summary – coming soon!
Forum Meeting #7 Link to Video Recording

Public Workshops:

Meeks Bay Public Workshop #3 Summary – June 27, 2022
Meeks Bay Public Workshop #3 Meeting Recording

Meeks Bay Public Workshop #2 Summary – January 7, 2021
Public Workshop #2 Meeting Recording

Meeks Bay Public Workshop #1 Summary – August 19, 2020
Public Workshop #1 Meeting Recording

This test project proposed by the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association will help determine which combination of methods is most effective in controlling aquatic weeds within the Tahoe Keys lagoons.

Visit the project website for more information.

Environmental Documents:

Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weeds Control Methods Test Final EIR/EIS
Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weeds CMT FEIR/FEIS Appendix A: Comments and Responses during Public Comment Period
Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weeds CMT FEIR/FEIS Appendix B: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weeds CMT FEIR/FEIS Appendix C: Draft EIR/EIS

Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test Draft EIR/EIS
Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test – DEIR/DEIS Appendix A-H: Notice of Preparation and Public Engagement Plan for Scoping
Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test – NOA

The Lake Tahoe West Restoration Partnership (Lake Tahoe West) is a collaborative effort to restore the resilience of forests, watersheds, and communities on 59,000 acres of Lake Tahoe’s west shore.

Visit the project website for more information.

Environmental Documents:

Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project Scoping Notice / Notice of Preparation