Major Projects

November 2023 Update

Discussions have continued between the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Homewood Mountain Resort managers, and Placer County staff about construction projects and potential plans for the resort. The agency has determined that although Homewood managers intend to keep the mountain open to the public, an application to amend the 2011 Master Plan is needed in order to consider how the broader vision for the resort is changing. Homewood Mountain Resort representatives submitted a draft public access document in August that could continue to evolve. The document can be viewed below.

In the near term, the resort has submitted permit applications to TRPA to construct a gondola and to implement a timber management plan to remove dead and dying trees across the mountain. Both projects are included in the approved master plan. Through discussions with Homewood representatives, TRPA has established a process going forward that includes public input opportunities:

• The agency will review the timber management plan, gondola application, and Master Plan amendment application together.
• Homewood Mountain Resort must submit a public engagement plan as part of the application to amend the Master Plan
• During the review of the Master Plan amendment, final determinations will be made on public access, site plans, architecture, and other components.

The requested items and environmental documentation have not been received at this time. Documents related to the gondola project application are available on the LakeTahoeInfo.org Parcel Tracker. A potential schedule for this process may be established in the coming months. TRPA continues to listen to community members and is keeping community representatives updated on the process.

Please contact homewoodplan@trpa.gov to receive updates and possible opportunities for public input.

October 2023 Update

Homewood Mountain Resort has submitted an application to begin construction of a gondola, which is a project in the approved resort master plan. TRPA is requiring more information on possible changes to resort operations that will be reviewed in conjunction with the gondola project application. Along with the gondola application, Homewood representatives submitted a public access document that describes the resort amenities and services that will be open to the community and available to the public. The document can be viewed below.

TRPA is reviewing the information and is in consultation with Homewood Mountain Resort to understand how the earlier proposal to change the character of the resort’s operation is being revised. This information will help the agency determine if the resort will be required to amend the larger resort master plan. A determination on that will be made before action is taken on the gondola project or any other project application at the resort.

Draft Homewood Public Access Document
Gondola Project Description and Plan Specifications
Additional documents related to the gondola project application are available on the LakeTahoeInfo.org Parcel Tracker.

As stated in the April update below, Homewood Mountain Resort submitted a proposal to TRPA in November, 2022 that included changing public access and the mix of commercial amenities conceived of in the master plan. While no formal application to amend the master plan has been submitted, TRPA communicated to Homewood that an application with adequate environmental review and public input opportunities would be needed for such changes to be considered.

During this consultation process, the agency will keep this page updated with additional information and opportunities for public input.

June 2023 Update

Homewood Mountain Resort representatives have provided TRPA an update on their concept for implementation of the Master Plan. View the June 22, 2023 letter here.

April 2023 Update

The agency received a proposal in November, 2022 from Homewood Mountain Resort to make changes to its 2011 master plan. While no formal application to amend the master plan has been submitted, TRPA has communicated with Homewood that an application with adequate environmental review and public input opportunities will be needed for the changes to be considered.

TRPA has not held any public meetings regarding the new proposal, which might include changing public access to the ski area and the mix of commercial amenities conceived of in the master plan. While Homewood representatives have released information to the public and made early presentations in the community, the agency has not received the necessary application and information to begin the process to amend the master plan. As part of the process, the agency will ensure community input is gathered and collaboration with partner agencies and organizations continues.

TRPA has received many emails that show how much the Homewood resort means to the community and to Lake Tahoe’s cultural heritage. Emailed comments are noted by our planners and will be included in the record as TRPA’s process develops. Public comments, documents, and communications can be viewed below.

Current and Past Permits

The master plan approved in 2011 included a list of future construction projects and mitigation strategies to offset new uses proposed at the resort and to fulfil the vision of the master plan. While those projects and mitigations received preliminary approval with adoption of the master plan, construction permits from TRPA and other agencies are typically needed when individual projects come forward for construction.

A little over nine years after the master plan was approved, the first of these came forward. In 2021, TRPA and Placer County approved permit applications for a portion of Phase 1 of the master plan for construction of seven residential units to the south of the resort’s north base (Lot 3). Those units are currently under construction. TRPA received a proposal for changes to resort operations in November, 2022.

In December 2022, Placer County received a second Phase 1 application for 34 residential units in four buildings at the resort’s north base (Lot 5) and held a public Design Review Committee meeting February 28, 2023. A link to the Placer County application is listed below. For information, please contact Supervising Planner Steve Buelna, Placer County Community Development / Resource Agency at sbuelna@placer.ca.gov. TRPA has not received an application for the Lot 5 project.

TRPA has not received any further applications from Homewood managers and has not received an application or the necessary information to consider the change in resort operations. As part of the process, the agency will ensure community input is gathered and collaboration with partner agencies and organizations continues.

Additional Information

Homewood Update to TRPA June 22, 2023
Correspondence re Draft Findings, April 2023
Homewood Response to TRPA February 21, 2023
Placer County Conformance Determination Homewood Phase 1B Lot 5 Project February 7, 2023
TRPA response February 4, 2023
TRPA supporting documents February 4, 2023
Homewood Mountain Resort Master Plan Proposal to TRPA November 8, 2022
TRPA Permit Documents Homewood Phase 1C Lot 3 Project July 16, 2021

Media Release – TRPA Board Approves Homewood Plan December, 2011 

2011 Homewood Master Plan

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

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (Forest Service) is developing a plan to restore Meeks Creek to a more natural condition, while continuing to support sustainable recreation opportunities at Meeks Bay.

Visit the project website for more information.

Environmental Documents:
Public Draft – Full Document
Cover Page
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Project Description
Environmental Impacts
Recreation
Scenic
Cultural
Terrestrial Biology
Aquatic Biology
Hydrology and Water Quality
Geology and Soils
Air Quality
Climate Change and Energy
Public Safety and Hazards
Noise
Transportation
Land Use
Other Sections
Report Preparers
References
Appendix A Resource Protection Measures
Appendix B Special Status Species
Appendix C Air Quality Data
Appendix D Noise Data
Appendix E Traffic Data

Notice of Availability
Scoping Comments
Meeks Bay- How to Submit Comments
Please submit comments on the EIS/EIS/EIR through the Forest Service project website

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

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