California Tahoe Conservancy evaluating land parcels in Meyers for possible future uses

The California Tahoe Conservancy is seeking public input on how its nine parcels of land in the Meyers area could help improve the local community.

The public is invited to join a tour of the properties, referred to as “asset lands,” at 9 a.m. on Aug. 21. The Conservancy board will meet immediately following the tour at the California Conservation Corps Tahoe Center auditorium in Meyers.

The board designated nine parcels around the intersection of U.S. 50 and California Route 89 in Meyers as asset lands in March 2014, according to a news release. Of the Conservancy’s nearly 4,700 properties in the Tahoe Basin, the Conservancy has identified a total of 17 properties as asset lands that could support sustainable compact development consistent with local area or town center plans and the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan.

Those plans prioritize redevelopment in existing town centers to decrease development pressure on environmentally sensitive lands while fostering more walkable, bikeable communities, per the release.

Unlike most of the Conservancy’s properties, which were typically acquired to prevent development on environmentally sensitive lands, asset lands include properties acquired through litigation settlements, lands acquired to accumulate development rights to facilitate environmental projects, “bulk acquisitions” of both environmentally sensitive and developable lands, and other lands that may no longer be suitable for their original acquisition purpose.

The nine Meyers asset lands could potentially help implement various elements of the Meyers Area Plan, including affordable housing, mixed-use development, bike, pedestrian and transit circulation, recreational access, and environmental conservation goals.

The Meyers asset lands can be identified by the following nine El Dorado County Assessment Numbers (ANs):

ANs 034-331-015 and 023 – located at 3121 and 3131 U.S. 50;

ANs 034-300-025, 026, 027, and 028 – with no current address but fronting U.S. 50, California Route 89/Luther Pass Road, and Pomo Street; and

ANs 035-261-004, 005, and 006 – located at 945 and 961 Pomo St.

At its upcoming public meeting, the Conservancy board will consider authorizing staff to conduct asset land due diligence activities on the nine parcels. Due diligence activities may include appraisals, inspections, initial real estate discussions, and potential partnerships with other public agencies. Such activities typically take up to a year or longer.

Following the due diligence process, the Conservancy board would make any final decisions on future actions for the asset lands.

The Conservancy will consider selling or transferring parcels only when they are not needed to achieve conservation or recreation goals, or when state ownership is no longer necessary to achieve the goals of the original acquisition, according to the release.

The Conservancy works with public and private partners to maximize public benefits from the disposition of its asset lands.

Contact Kevin Prior, the Conservancy’s chief administrative officer at 530-543-6016, kevin.prior@tahoe.ca.gov or Aimee Rutledge at 530-307-3380, aimee.rutledge@tahoe.ca.gov with any questions.