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Supervisor Santiago requesting a Fee Waiver of Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees in the amount of $68,940 for a Sierra at Tahoe project being constructed at the base lodge area, on federal land, with no increase in skier visits projected or additional traffic produced.
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Under the intent and guidelines of the Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees (TIM) program, it is generally recognized that development serves to help fund road and bridge improvements based upon a formula of increased traffic use and road impacts incurred.
The project that is under construction at Sierra at Tahoe will only expand upon existing but inadequate base lodge conveniences for their current customers by offering shelter during inclement weather and/or a resting/gathering place.
Because Sierra at Tahoe operates under a special use permit on federal land within the Eldorado National Forest, it is heavily regulated by federal contract and limited in its carrying capacity by maximum parking slots and a transit program from South Lake Tahoe and beyond.
Sierra at Tahoe also pays the California Highway Patrol approximately $10,000.00 per year to engage in traffic control on US Highway 50 and Sierra at Tahoe Road on peak days; it also pays approximately $400,000.00 for transit programs reducing vehicle trips; and, it maintains a public road over 2 and ½ miles without county, state or federal financial assistance.
On behalf of Sierra at Tahoe, the District V office is requesting a waiver of the Traffic Impact Mitigation fees in the amount of $76,000.00 assigned to the 9,000 square foot "Sprung Structures" tent project being constructed at the base lodge area on the basis that no additional skier visits are intended to occur and that Sierra at Tahoe is under strict federal supervision on federal land that assigns limits and oversight to their operations.