Title
Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning and Building Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperation Agreement 9331 between the County and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) for a contribution of $66,666 in Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant funds from TRPA towards the Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan, with a term commencing upon execution and terminating on June 30, 2026; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute any further documents determined necessary related to Agreement 9331, including amendments which do not increase the not-to-exceed amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: TRPA REAP grant funds - 100%.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County coordinates its land use planning efforts in the Tahoe Basin with TRPA. The adopted plan for the Tahoe Basin is TRPA's “Regional Plan for the Tahoe Basin”, which supersedes the El Dorado County General Plan. General Plan Goal 2.10., Policy 2.10.1.2 states that the County shall work with TRPA and other agencies to identify lands capable of supporting affordable housing development without jeopardizing attainment of the Environmental Thresholds identified by TRPA. The General Plan goes on to direct the County in Policy 2.10.1.3 to identify and prioritize the completion of community plans within the County’s jurisdictional area of the Tahoe Basin. Implementation Measure LU-0 further specifies that the County must 1) coordinate with TRPA and other agencies to create a comprehensive approach to land use regulation in the Tahoe Basin; 2) prepare and adopt a community plan for the Tahoma/Meeks Bay area; 3) identify additional affordable housing opportunities; 4) modify the County’s Zoning Ordinance to be consistent with, or adopt as County Code, the TRPA Code of Ordinances and Plan Area Statements; and 5) implement actions recommended in TRPA’s periodic threshold evaluation.
In December 2023, TRPA passed the Phase 2 Housing Amendments to its Code of Ordinances, encouraging development of affordable and workforce housing in the Tahoe Basin by allowing flexibility in some development standards. To fully benefit from the Phase 2 Housing Amendments, and future amendments as part of their Phase 3 effort, and for the County’s Zoning Ordinance to be consistent with the TRPA Code of Ordinances and Plan Area Statements, the Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning and Building Division (Department), is proposing development and implementation of the TED Area Plan.
The County has launched the TED Area Plan effort, which is a comprehensive, long-term planning document that will incorporate and update the Meyers Area Plan and include other communities in the Tahoe Basin area of the County. Completing the TED Area Plan will 1) ensure consistency between the County’s Zoning Ordinance and the TRPA Plan Area Statements; 2) streamline permitting and environmental review; 3) allow the County to control land use policies and decisions based on each community’s needs; and 4) incorporate TRPA Code of Ordinances and State law updates - ultimately, establishing a better framework to advance housing and economic development while attaining environmental thresholds established by TRPA. For more information on the TED Area Plan, please visit the County’s website at <https://www.tedareaplan.com>.
The County anticipates the TED Area Plan will be completed over three (3) years with potential adoption in 2027. Phase 1 was fully funded by a Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant and concluded in September 2024. As part of Phase 1, the Department developed an informational website and interactive survey, held six (6) community workshops, conducted stakeholder and public outreach, prepared a County and TRPA land use/zoning consistency study, and drafted the existing conditions report for the TED Area Plan. Phase 2 will consist of developing and revising the draft TED Area Plan, holding additional community workshops, and initiating the public scoping process. Phase 3 work will include conducting environmental review, finalizing the TED Area Plan, and holding County and TRPA hearings for possible adoption of the TED Area Plan.
On October 8, 2024, Legistar 24-1532, the County entered into Agreement 9035 with Ascent Environmental Inc. (Ascent) for services necessary to develop the TED Area Plan and corresponding environmental documentation (Phases 2 and 3), with a not-to-exceed amount of $982,889 and a term effective upon execution and concluding June 30, 2027. Prior to Agreement 9305, the Department utilized an existing as-needed agreement with Ascent for assistance with Phase 1 of the TED Area Plan.
The Department is requesting to enter into Cooperation Agreement 9331 (TRPA Contract #24C00026) for a contribution of $66,666 in REAP grant funds from TRPA towards Phase 3 of the TED Area Plan, with a term effective upon execution and terminating on June 30, 2026. The Phase 3 work that TRPA will help fund involves the development of the Final Public Draft TED Area Plan and Design Standards and Guidelines as well as the preparation of a description of alternatives to carry forward into the draft and final programmatic environmental review of the TED Area Plan. This work will be used to accelerate infill development, housing choice, supply, and availability, affirmatively further fair housing, and reduce vehicle miles travelled.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve proposed Cooperation Agreement 9331. This would result in delays in completing the TED Area Plan and in the Department having to request additional funds from the General Fund or another unknown funding source.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
On October 8, 2024 (Legistar File 24-1532), the Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute Agreement 9035 with Ascent to assist the County with Phases 2 and 3 of the TED Area Plan, with a not-to-exceed amount of $982,889, and a term effective upon execution and expiring June 30, 2027.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have approved the proposed Cooperation Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this Cooperation Agreement. TRPA will reimburse the Department for Phase 3 TED Area Plan work up to the amount of $66,666. This work is expected to occur during Fiscal Year 2025-26. As such, funding for these services will be included in the Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget.
Approval of the TED Area Plan will assist in the development and redevelopment of parcels in the Tahoe Basin by providing clear and consistent zoning and land use. This may generate new or increased property tax as well as increase the value of some parcels within the TED plan boundary. In addition, the County is planning to streamline processes involved prior to development by creating a "one stop shop" at the County to further facilitate development or redevelopment.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) copy of Cooperation Agreement 9331; and
2) Clerk of the Board will forward the executed Cooperation Agreement 9331 to the Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning and Building Division, attention Brendan Ferry, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities and Thriving Economy
CONTACT
Brendan Ferry, Chief Deputy Director
Planning and Building Department