TRPA delays vote on new regulations

New regulations to control the scenic impact of homes along the Lake Tahoe shore will not be voted on by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency board this month as expected .

Juan Palma, executive director of the agency, has instead decided to conduct a workshop regarding the scenic regulation package when the board meets Sept. 25.

The proposed regulations likely will go before the board for a vote when it meets Oct. 23.

People interested in the revamped scenic system -- real estate agents, lakeshore property owners and environmentalists -- need more time to work on issues, said Pam Drum, TRPA spokeswoman.

"I don't think (Juan) feels disappointed moving the action to October," Drum said. "We've been encouraged by a number of interested observers to make sure we take plenty of time to listen and understand people's concerns. As long as we're making progress, waiting another 30 days will be productive."

Critics are most concerned about how the regulations, if passed, could limit how much of a lakeshore home could face the lake, Drum said.

Bob Wheeler, an Incline Village real estate broker, is one of a group of people who has been negotiating with the agency. He is also president of the Committee for Reasonable Regulation of Lake Tahoe, a group formed in the wake of the proposed scenic review system.

"We are sincerely negotiating with them to come up with a resolution," Wheeler said. "This (postponement) basically shows the amount of concern the community has over this issue and that the TRPA is willing to listen to the public and hear that input."

Another proposed policy change from the agency that deals with allocations, or the right to apply for a building permit, will be presented as scheduled for action at the TRPA board on Sept. 25.