Is it Conelley, Connolly, Timber Cove or Beach at Beach Retreat?

The number to remember: 6229.1

This has been determined to be the high water mark of Lake Tahoe, and the owner of the Beach Retreat at Tahoe must allow 100-feet of beach from this mark for public use.

The City of South Lake Tahoe and Urbana Realty Advisors, LLC, the owners of the Beach Retreat, have been in negotiations concerning the beach which has historically been known as Conelley Beach, Connelly Beach, Timber Cove and now, the Beach at Beach Retreat. Urbana wants to maintain the beach for their guests at the same time as providing public access. The law says the public has use of the beach from the 6229.1 mark to the water, and previous litigation defined the public use of 18 parking spaces reserved for them as well as access to the 100 feet of beach.

As City Manager Nancy Kerry said during Tuesday's City Council meeting, the negotiations weren't always friendly.

"We share the property," said City Attorney Tom Watson. "Both of us want to be good neighbors."

Not at question are the 18 parking places provided for the public adjacent to the beach. These spots are available 24/7, 365 days a year and will soon be accessed by a new road that will bring non-hotel guests to the beach via Bal Bijou Road.

What is at question is what the signage will look like and how the 100 feet of beach will be used.

A topographic survey was recently completed by the City in order to map the high water mark and the 100-foot mark to clearly identify the public "Beach Area." After this was done it was apparent the 100-foot mark extended through improvements made on the hotel property.propose to adjust the 100-foot mark so it does not encroach into the building area and to the extent possible preserves the required public "Beach Area."

The public always has access to the beach below the 6229.1 foot mark. During a drought year such as we're in now this gives the public more access to beaches around the lake than they've had before.

Public use of the 100 ft is for picnics, sunbathing, play and enjoying the beach. It doesn't mean there can be private parties or weddings or illegal activity.

Signage will be key in helping the public understand where they can go. The City wants to put a sign up at Conelley/Connolly/Beach Retreat beach, showing the public where the high water mark is. Their first proposal was turned down by Urbana for looking too governmental. Staff has been directed to come back with a sign all parties can live with.

What is also in question is what to call the beach. Lynn Bhauk, former President of the Lake Tahoe Historical Society, explained to the Council that the beach was called Conelley Beach as long ago as the 1920s and 30s. She wasn't sure why Connolly was being used today.

Urbana wants to call it Beach at Beach Retreat.

Long time locals Peggy Bourland and Susan Hoy both spoke during Tueday's meeting, talking of how the beach needs to be preserved for public use. Hoy also mentioned that the Beach Retreat's website informs guests that the hotel has a private beach for their use.

Also brought up was how unwelcoming the beach is now, with trash cans and boulders across the entrance, confusing the public on the status of the beach...private or public?