Move by Newsom puts South Lake Tahoe parcels on the list for affordable housing projects

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two parcels owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) appear to be on their way to becoming home to affordable housing projects in South Lake Tahoe.

To address the shortage of housing for Californians, Governor Newsom ordered the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to identify and prioritize excess state-owned property and aggressively pursue sustainable, innovative, cost-effective housing projects.

44,000 parcels were examined in the state, with two at the Y in South Lake Tahoe making it to the priority list.

DGS has released its Request for Qualifications for affordable housing developers for potential projects in South Lake Tahoe at 1860 Lake Tahoe Boulevard and 1029 Tata Lane. DGS and HCD are partnering with CTC and other local groups on the effort to explore how those two Conservancy-owned asset lands southwest of the Y can help address the local housing crisis.

They are seeking respondents capable of developing affordable housing on the two properties that will be consistent with and help fulfill state, regional, and city goals, including affordability and feasibility. Projects must include a minimum of 50 percent restricted affordable housing units

CTC recently held a housing meeting to get public input on those two parcels and how development on them can meet the needs of the community.

1029 Tata

This 1.6-acre parcel was acquired at a purchase price of $79,000 (Lake Tahoe Acquisitions Bond Act) in 1989 under the Conservancy’s Coverage Program. When the Conservancy purchased the parcel, the entire property was covered with a parking lot (28,200 square feet (sf)); 22,165 sf of hard coverage was removed, restored, and subsequently used by the Conservancy’s Land Bank to meet excess coverage mitigation obligations. The parcel consists of approximately 100 percent class 7 high capability land that can support compact development consistent with the Tahoe Valley Area Plan (TVAP).

1860 Lake Tahoe Boulevard

This 9.75-acre parcel was acquired at a purchase price of $221,000 (Lake Tahoe Acquisitions Bond Act) in 1989 under the Conservancy’s Environmentally Sensitive Land Program. The parcel contains approximately 10 percent class 1b stream environment zone (SEZ) and 90 percent class 7 high capability land coverage. At the time of the acquisition, the staff report specifically mentioned that the sensitive parts of the parcel would be permanently preserved, but that the non-sensitive parts of this parcel could be used for purposes consistent with the future area plan. The City supported this future, potential use of the land. The SEZ portion of the property can be protected through a conservation easement while allowing for the development of class 7, high capability land.

The "Request for Developer Qualifications" (RFQ) was released on January 21. In ten days, questions and clarifications are due on the RFG. The State response to RFQ Questions/Clarifications is on February 7 with the final deadline for submission of RFQ on February 21 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the executive order, properties, a statewide interactive map and proposals, visit HERE.