TRPA Fights to Maintain Affordable Housing and Environmental Protections in Lake Tahoe Region

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is preparing to defend its affordable housing policies, says Marshall, an agency representative. This is a response to the Mountain Area Preservation, a Truckee-based group, which aims to restrict access to the Lake Tahoe Region for those with limited income. The TRPA has recently updated its policies to encourage affordable and workforce housing near transit and services. These updates also include stricter requirements for stormwater treatment to protect the lake and encourage environmentally friendly transportation.

Julie Regan, TRPA Executive Director, reiterated the agency's dedication to environmental protection and affordable housing. She pointed out that Lake Tahoe has some of the nation's most stringent environmental protections, thanks to the bi-state compact that formed the TRPA in 1969. The TRPA Governing Board is focused on supporting local workers, revitalizing communities, and preserving the lake for future generations.

The Lake Tahoe Regional Plan, which imposes strict development limits, continues to apply to the Tahoe Basin under the updated policies. These limits aim to encourage affordable housing. Less than 1% of the Tahoe Basin's land area, located in town centers, is affected by the new affordable and workforce housing policies.

The housing units eligible for policy incentives have been earmarked for years. These policies are especially important considering that over 70% of the pollutants damaging Lake Tahoe come from urban upland areas. Reinvesting in these areas could improve water quality and transportation.

Environmental monitoring in the Tahoe Basin has shown a 12% decrease in the full-time population from 2000 to 2020 due to rising home prices. However, traffic data indicates that the number of cars and visitors in the region has remained steady over the last decade, despite a shift towards outdoor recreation.

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