HomeMy Public PortalAboutPublic Comment #2 (Schifferle)
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August 9, 2013
Jenna Endres
Associate Planner
Truckee Town Hall
10183 Truckee Airport Road
Truckee CA 96161
RE: Tahoe Donner Marina Beach Club Expansion Project.
Dear Ms. Endres:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Tahoe Donner
Association (TDA) Conditional Use Permit for the Marina “improvement” Expansion
Project.
In response to the Planning Commissioners’ request to provide a less
environmentally destructive alternative to achieve Americans with Disabilities Access
(ADA), I retained an engineer to provide you with an alternative that complies with the
Town of Truckee Development Code, which prohibits disturbance of 30% slopes and
requires protection of native trees. (See Attachment 1) The attached design would
accomplish the ADA access without disturbing the 30% slopes or removing large mature
native trees.
As disclosed at the last public hearing, the applicant is attempting to “grandfather” a
number of unpermitted uses that violate zoning and the development code. The revelation
that the Tahoe Donner Association has consistently operated outside of existing permit
conditions and regulations should not sanction continued flaunting of the code. The
present facility, completed under a California Environmental Quality Act exemption in
2003, is not zoned for large commercial or member events. Nor does the present
environmental analysis for this project analyze the impacts from these types of events.
Enforcement of the existing code and existing permit conditions needs to be vigorous. For
example, bike rentals are taking place despite the fact this use was not and is not permitted,
is not licensed, and does not relate to boat launching and lake recreation.1 The impacts
1 http://www.tahoedonner.com/bikeworks/
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from these various permit violations—noise, parking, traffic congestion, amplified music,
and resulting impacts on neighbors and the community—have not been analyzed or
mitigated. Nor has the existing environmental review included these impacts or provided
analysis of the harm from these unpermitted uses. Building two rock walls at the base of a
30% slope is not effective erosion control as claimed. The environmental impacts, if
approved, need to be disclosed.
The expansion of the deck and eating facility remains excessive. It should be
reduced at least by half. The resulting driveway constriction from this expansion creates a
boat launching lane approximately 17 foot wide next to pedestrians. [See the J. Black
testimony 4-16-13 Minutes @ Pg 5.] This space is too narrow for entering and returning
vehicles and boats. The boat launching at the facility now utilizes a narrow approximately
20 foot wide access. Even at this width cars and boats back up on to Donner Pass Road
creating traffic congestion. Further constricting this access will only increase traffic
congestion. Removing the existing lawn pedestrian route and constricting pedestrians,
windsurfers, kayaks, paddle boards and ADA access to a three foot wide space next to the
huge boats and tow vehicles is not safe. An additional 2 foot wide strip is provided for
kayaks, but all must either carry or use a vehicle to get them to the water. [See Attachment
2]
I submit these comments with an informed background in natural resource
management and local issues. For over two decades I have worked professionally on
resource management issues at the federal, state and local level, including forest ecology,
watershed preservation, water quality protection, and parks and open space preservation. I
was able to purchase my home here in Truckee in 1996. Since that time, I have continued
to contribute to our community helping to preserve Schallenberger Ridge, Negro Canyon
and Martis Valley just to name a few issues. For more than a decade I served on the Tahoe
Donner Association General Plan Committee (GPC) in various capacities working for
positive change. I have contacted both the GPC and Tahoe Donner Board regarding my
concerns over the workability of the proposed project and less damaging alternatives. The
testimony by TDA and their developer are clear, under the existing conditions at the
Marina they regularly hold events of 200 to 300 people despite existing zoning and permit
prohibitions. Findings required to waive development code provisions have not been
made. Less damaging environmental alternatives exist. One is included here—Attachment
1—that achieves the ADA access sought by the applicant and the stated purpose of the
project.
Donner Lake is a national treasure that we are privileged to enjoy daily and this
project is next to a very special state park. Damaging the Lake and this scenic wonder to
sanction an “event” center will cost us all a great deal, but it will likely cost future
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generations more, because the damage will be hard to undo. This piece meal development
approach and project creep outside of the rules should not be condoned.
Please consider this less damaging alternative, to provide access without removal of
mature pines, and threatening the remaining trees with extensive grading, cut and fill.
Thank you for your consideration,
Patricia Schifferle
15652 Alder Creek Rd
Truckee Ca 96161
Attachment 1—Letter from Geil Engineering—ADA Access Adhering to Local Zoning and
Development Code Rules with Less Environmental Damage.
Attachment 2—Photos (7) Taken at the TDA Marina Demonstrating Unsafe Conditions of
Mixing Vehicles Hauling Boat Trailers with Non-Motorized Craft, Families and Children.
Adding Pedestrians and Small Children to this Vehicle Mix is Unsafe if the Existing
Lawn Area Adjacent to the Driveway is Eliminated.
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Attachment 2—7 pages
Traffic Waiting to Launch Boats Backs Up On To Donner Pass Road. Constricting
Access to a Narrow Corridor Will Increase Congestion.
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Launching Boats Line Up Stretching Out to Donner Pass Road—Eliminating Space
Sufficient To Allow Trailers to Exit & Space for Non-Motorized Craft
& Pedestrians Will Only Increase Congestion.
3
The Proposed Access Width is Too Narrow for Two Boat Trailers—The Existing
Width Is Barely Enough --No Room for Pedestrians and Non-motorized craft. 4
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There is No Room to Add a 4 ft Wide Pedestrian Corridor Where All Families
And Non-Motorized Craft Can Launch Under the Proposed Tripling of Dining Area
and Lower Lawn Removal.
Launching Boats use the entire width of the Marina Access Ramp—Pedestrians frequently
Overflow on to the grass.
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Extensive Use of Existing Lawn Area for Kayaks, Paddle Boards, Windsurfers and Boats—
Pedestrians Use the Grass for Access to the Beach & to Carry Non-motorized craft
Would be Eliminated Under the Project Proposal.
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