FEIS - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON THE DEIS
B o u l d e r B a y C o m m u n i t y E n h a n c e m e n t P r o g r a m P r o j e c t E I S
Chapter 2 of the DEIS details the current land uses within the project area in the
description of Alternative A (No Project Alternative). Chapter 4.1 further details
existing uses on pages 4.1-1 and 4.1-2. Proposed land uses are detailed in the
descriptions for Alternatives B, C, D and E and analyzed in Chapter 4.1, Land Use.
Existing gaming area, CFA and accessory uses have been verified by TRPA and are
disclosed in the DEIS (Appendix D). Proposed uses are analyzed against the agreed
upon evaluation criteria.
Comment 332-j: Comment Summary - An accounting of existing and proposed gaming spaces needs to
be calculated and shown in the EIS.
The NTRPA certified 29,744 sf of the TRPA verified CFA for gaming use, of which
22,400 sf is in use presently (page 4.1-12 of DEIS). The Project proposes to retain
10,000 sf for gaming use (page 2.10 of the DEIS).
Comment 332-k: Comment Summary - The EIS must clarify the reduction in CFA. The EIS states a
17,935 sf reduction (p. 2-22) from the 19,744 sf of reduced certified gaming area, but
this is not an actual reduction in gaming space, but a reduction in certified gaming
area (some of which may not be a permanent reduction). Actual reduction in existing
gaming is only 12,400 sf from subtracting Alt. C 10,000 sf of floor space from the
current gaming floor space at the Biltmore/Alt A (22,400 sf). There is only a 12,400
sf reduction of real CFA, not 17,935 sf.
As stated in the comment, the amount of gaming area currently in use at the Biltmore
is 22,400 sf. The difference between the certified gaming area of 29,744 sf and the
gaming area currently in use (22,400 sf) is gaming area potentially available for use
by Boulder Bay. In Alternatives C and D, Boulder Bay has proposed to permanently
retire 9,914 sf of their certified gaming area. This area would no longer be available
for use as gaming, but would still be banked onsite and available for use as CFA. As
a result, 17,835 sf of banked CFA remains available in the project area for potential
use in the future under Alternative C. Please see response to comment 93-c. Any
application to use additional gaming area would be subject to review and approval by
TRPA.
Comment 332-l: Comment Summary - In regards to CFA and GFA the EIS does not make a fair
comparison of Alt. A and Alt. C. On p 2-22 Alt A has 56,322 sf of CFA, which
includes verified CFA and certified (some of which is not existing) GFA. But only
48,978 CFA (combined CFA and GFA) is in actual use. The EIS claims a reduction
of 19,744 GFA, does not state that the 19,744 will be considered verified CFA. Alt A
calculations includes existing, verified, and certified CFA/GFA, but Alt. C
calculations only includes what will be used on the ground and not verified/certified.
This is misleading.
Please see response to comment 332-k. With Alternative C, 17,835 sf of unused
CFA will be banked within the project area and would be available for future use or
transfer to another project. Any application to use additional gaming area would be
subject to review and approval by TRPA.
Comment 332-m: Comment Summary - Explain how Alts. A and B are inconsistent with stormwater
treatment but include 20-year one-hour storm capture upgrades.
The referenced row of Table 3-3 lists water quality, circulation and urban design
features. Under Alts A and B, stormwater facilities would be required per TRPA
regulations to correct existing stormwater deficiencies to treat the 20 yr/1hr storm
SEPTEMBER 8 , 2010 HAUGE BRUECK ASSOCIATES PAGE 8- 133