Help Save Our Valley From Over Development

The following is the Friends of Olympic Valley’s response to the Granite View Condo Development Notice of Preparation.  We encourage you to send your comments on the planned development as well.  Feel free to use any of our points in your response.  Also we encourage you to attend the public meeting on May 12th…

EIR Scoping Meeting on the Granite View Condominium Project
Thursday, May 12, 2022 | 3:00 to 5:00 PM
In-Person:
CEO Placer County Tahoe Administrative Center Conference Room
775 N. Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City, Suite 200
Or Virtual:
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/84291172991 | Phone: 1+ (877) 853 5247 or
1+ (888) 788 0099 | Webinar ID: 842 9117 2991

Ms. Shirlee Herrington, Environmental Coordination Services
Placer County Community Development Resource Agency
3091 County Center Drive, Suite 190
Auburn, CA 95603

cdraecs@placer.ca.gov

Ms. Herrington:

Please accept this comment letter on the Granite View Condominium Project (Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 096-540-017) Notice of Preparation (NOP).  Our comments follow:

1. It is imperative that the EIR for this project takes into consideration the other projects within the Valley that have had their EIR’s approved or are in the process of being approved.  Specifically, the Granite View EIR should take into consideration all the environmental impacts (water, traffic, etc.) that the Plumpjack, Resort at Squaw Creek and the Village at Squaw Valley developments combined would have on Olympic Valley.

2. It is imperative that this project’s EIR also include its impact on the Lake Tahoe Basin because the cumulative effects of all the projects noted above would have a serious and detrimental impact on both Olympic Valley and the Lake Tahoe Basin.

3. Since the project is adjacent to both the proposed houses (Lot 16) that are being planned by Alterra as well as U.S. Forest land, it is imperative that the EIR also consider the specific impact that both these projects combined would have on our watershed as well as other EIR factors.

4. The area proposed for this structure is in a drainage area important for the refill of the aquifer in the Valley which supplies the majority of our high quality water. A large cut into the mountainside with over 300 feet of continuous damming will adversely affect the underground water flow and reduce the size of our aquifer, a serious CEQA and environmental issue.

5. The addition of 100 plus bedrooms would affect the amount of water available for existing residents. The EIR needs to factor the capacity of the watershed to refresh itself in light of all the development that is planned in the Valley.

6. Avalanche hazard exists relative to the location of this structure as it is adjacent to two steep hillsides.

7. As regards aesthetics & design: The 6 story rectangular structure does not fit the surrounding mountains or the natural setting. More aesthetically conducive to the mountain setting would be a number of multi-unit structures, no higher than three stories.

8. The proposed plan is inadequate vis a vis workforce staffing. The NOP provides for two, one-bedroom apartments and calls for four full time employees.   The NOP states that there will be two employees per one bedroom. Hiring staff that agree to share a bedroom is an unrealistic assumption and the County should not accept this proposal. Further, there is no mechanism to insure that the proposed workforce policy is enforced for the useful life of this building.

9. The workforce calculation in the NOP further ignores the fact that additional hotel staff will be required for “second and third” shifts. This additional staff equates to needing to provide housing for at least 8-10 people.  Staff housing in the EIR should be calculated based on the total “full-time” equivalents needed to operate this building as a hotel.

10. Since the NOP calls for the project to be used as a hotel, one housekeeping staff member is inadequate and the NOP states that additional cleaning staff may be needed. Hiring additional housekeeping staff would exacerbate the staffing shortage we are already experiencing in Olympic Valley – not to mention the additional traffic that would be generated by non-resident staff travelling into and out of the Valley.  Therefore, the EIR workforce housing requirements should be considered relative to “full time equivalents” that would be required for staffing this hotel/complex.

11. The project calls for multiple fire pits. The development site is in a heavily wooded area (a forest) where the risk of wildfire is extreme.  Wildfire and fire protection are burdens this project puts on the Valley, and fire pits should not be allowed regardless of fuel source.

12. The NOP states that provision for electric car chargers are conditional only if solar photovoltaic (PV) is approved by Placer County and installed within the project.  Electric chargers should be mandatory regardless of Placer County (PV) approval.

13. Visual impact: this urban building is planned to be in a mountain landscape with a height and density that towers over Alterra’s timeshare houses which would be immediately in front of this structure. This building will adversely impact view corridors from the Funitel and tram as well as the Shirley Lake and Granite Chief trails.

14. The lights from this structure would cause light pollution to all the surrounding homeowners, and the night sky.

15. The NOP fails to identify the various local trails situated above the proposed building that have existed for years. This project would impact these adjacent trails and the hikers who use them.

16. Granite Peak trail relocation requires that the EIR address parking issues that would result from this project.

17. The cost to relocate the Granite Peak trail should not be considered as satisfying the Placer County recreation fee requirements for projects of this scope. Any recreational fees that are generated from this project should only be spent by Placer County on Olympic Valley specific recreation projects (e.g. replace the playground which has been deemed to be at its end of life).

Regards,

Friends of Olympic Valley
friendsofsv@gmail.com
www.friendsofsv.org

Note:  Friends is in the Placer County approval process for changing its non-profit name to Friends of Olympic Valley