TRPA to consider zoning for affordable-housing project

Zoning changes that would allow a 32-unit affordable housing project to be built on Kahle Drive are expected to come to a vote Wednesday by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

If the changes are approved, Falcon Capital, a development company based at Round Hill, will be able to finance the affordable housing project, called Meadowbrook Apartments, as planned. Construction of the project was approved last month by the TRPA Governing Board.

Meadowbrook will include seven two-story buildings, 39 parking spaces and an extensive water-treatment system. Combined, the work will cost of about $5 million.

TRPA staff also is expected Wednesday to request an additional $75,000 from its Governing Board to complete a plan for the shore zone at Lake Tahoe Basin. The money will be used fund an expert peer review of the plan and, among other things, create models that reflect the new scenic ordinances.

In other action:

--The board is scheduled to conduct a performance evaluation of Juan Palma, TRPA executive director. Palma has lead the agency for more than two years and is requesting a 5 percent increase in his salary.

-- Staff will recommend the board adopt new application fees for tourist, commercial, recreation and public service building projects. The agency says it only recoups 55 percent of what it costs to process an application. Its Governing Board approved an application fee hike for residential building projects in July.

-- A public hearing to discuss the South "Y" Industrial Community Plan. It includes incentives to encourage the concentration of industrial and public service business in one area to separate industrial uses from scenic areas of the city of South Lake Tahoe. The plan, if adopted, would be used as a guide by the city and the TRPA.

-- A public hearing to discuss amendments made to the scenic ordinances. They include, among other things, clarification of height findings and the third-party expert review system.

IF YOU GO

What: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

Where: North Tahoe Community Conference Center, Kings Beach

When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday