SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On Thursday, June 11, the City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission met to discuss the redevelopment and modernization of the Tahoe Keys Marina. 

Suntex Marinas has owned the Tahoe Keys Marina since 2021, and from the start of their ownership has highlighted plans to revitalize the marina and update aging infrastructure.

“I hope I have aged better than the Tahoe Keys Marina,” said Lew Feldman, land use council on behalf of Suntex Marinas. “As we look at it today, I think we might conclude that it has not weathered well.”

The project requires the approval of a design review permit, a special use permit and the granting of variance for a setback encroachment by the Planning Commission while they determine if the project poses no significant effect on the environment.

The project includes a landscaping plan, driveways, pedestrian circulation, snow storage and ensuring the project isn’t visible from TRPA designated public recreation areas. It also includes a parking plan which proposes a reconfiguration of the current parking lot.

The proposal shows 251 total parking spaces, however this number falls 40 spaces short of the recommended spaces needed to fulfill demand, as analyzed in a parking analysis prepared by LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc., titled Technical Memorandum. 

After Feldman’s presentation, commissioner Doug Williams raised concerns about parking. During public comment, Cindy Trego echoed Willaims’s concerns in regards to parking, saying the redevelopment would cause overflow into residential areas and asked to consider what the impacts would look like to residents. 

“I’m not saying that the project isn’t beautiful,” said Trego. “But I think there should be a strong consideration for this parking issue to be resolved.” 

Other major modifications in the proposal included the demolition of three existing marina buildings and the addition of seven new buildings with four being commercial and retail spaces, and three buildings that include a boat showroom, water tank, 52,600- square-foot boat storage facility, and a trash facility/public restroom.

Hitchcock noted several environmental impacts identified in his staff report pertaining to wildlife, hazardous materials and noise. 

Proposed mitigation measures for wildlife include identifying active bird nests, a preconstruction survey for special-status plants and wildlife, environmental awareness training conducted by a qualified biologist, and implementing decontamination protocols outlined in the TRPA Aquatic Invasive Species Management Program.

Mitigation measures for hazardous materials required a qualified environmental professional to assess possible impact, and to ensure all hazardous materials be handled and disposed of in accordance with Lahontan RWQCB and the Department of Toxic Substances Control protocols.

Noise mitigations require implementation of noise-avoidance protocols during construction activities.

“The project, as proposed, will expand impacts in year-round uses, and enable contamination of Lake Tahoe with microplastics that are toxic without any response from the city addressing the toxic effects of the project in its entirety,” said Alan Miller, former water resource control engineer for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, during public comment.

Jesse Patterson, Chief Strategy Officer at Keep Tahoe Blue, spoke during public comment expressing support of the previous project carried out by Suntex to replace the docks at the marina, and noted that this project would implement increased aquatic invasive species management, non-motorized access, community gathering locations, and EV boat charging which helps reduce pollution from boating while the organization continues to act as a watchdog to ensure environmentally-driven enforcements are fulfilled. 

Scott Birkey, partner at the law firm Cox, Castle & Nicholson, spoke on behalf of the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) saying that TKPOA is currently in contract with Suntex to acquire a portion of the property that is included in the project area. Birkey said this information was omitted from the staff report and IS/MND. 

“It’s just not clear what Suntex believes may happen on that portion of the property,” said Birkey. “My understanding is that Suntex has not reached out to TKPOA or the city to discuss any of this, despite the fact that both Suntex and TKPOA are parties in an agreement that bear directly on the scope of the marina’s development.”

Discussions about the property will likely continue between TKPOA and Suntex.

After deliberation from commissioners, aside from Gavin Feiger who recused himself from the item, a motion for the project was approved with the addition of more parking spaces. 

The project will be discussed at the upcoming TRPA Governing Board meeting on June 24.