Stateline, NV – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) announced today they will continue online services at least through the end of the year with the majority of staff continuing to work effectively from home, according to the agency.
The agency has remained open for business throughout the pandemic, although it closed its front counter to in-person service and moved to online public meetings in mid-March in compliance with COVID-19 directives. In response to the shutdown, TRPA ramped up the number of permit applications that could be submitted online, raising the number of electronic applications available from eight to thirty by the end of the June. The community responded with website traffic growing by 166 percent.
“We have seen that by working remotely to slow the virus we can maintain or exceed our customer service standards while keeping our staff and community safe,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “Rather than slow down or curtail our workload, TRPA planners are answering demand with innovative practices.”
Parcel and permit records continue to be available electronically and telephone appointments can be scheduled with TRPA planners upon request. Additionally, online services that had been available before are now being used more broadly. The number of users who accessed the TRPA Parcel Tracker, which provides free property information and records, increased dramatically once the agency went to virtual operations, according to TRPA.
TRPA Services April 1 – June 30 Comparisons
Parcel Tracker Website Visitors
2019: 2,400
2020: 6,400
Online Application Submittals
2019: 25%
2020: 67%
Tree Removal Permit Applications
2019: 340|
2020: 485
Residential Permit Applications
2019: 230
2020: 234
Additionally, TRPA public meetings will continue to be conducted as online webinars.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.
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