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
specifics of the cumulative project list, qualitative analysis has been prepared to
document potential cumulative impacts (e.g., recreation and public service demands).
In terms of impacts to Kings Beach or other beaches within the Kings Beach area, the
cumulative impact of additional area developments would lead to visitor increases.
Based on the projects within the Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach, Crystal Bay and
Northstar areas with known numbers of housing or hotel units, over 2,000 visitors
and residents are estimated, of which over half would be from the Northstar
developments. Some of these Proposed Projects include lake access, but most do not.
The cumulative projects in the north Tahoe Region from Tahoe Vista to Crystal Bay
to Northstar, excluding Boulder Bay, would include approximately 1,000 residential
and tourist units. Many of these units would replace existing units as part of
redevelopment projects, and therefore would not add new visitation to the Basin.
However, using all of the potential units, the cumulative project list would increase
existing residential and tourist units in the Crystal Bay/Incline, Kings Beach, Tahoe
Vista, and Truckee (approximately 23,000 units with 21,000 residential units and
2,000 tourist units) by approximately four percent.
Comment 322-be: Comment Summary - Cumulative project scheduling conflicts need to be addressed.
NDOT has scheduled a water quality project on SR 28 that will result in lane
closures, rerouting that would occur over an extended time frame. Will these lane
closures and rerouting conflict with the construction schedule of Alternative C if
approved? What is the impact of 6,050 long haul dump trucks removing site soil on
SR 28 during the summer with land closures and rerouting?
Project plans and mitigation measures require construction activities to be
coordinated with local emergency service and transportation agencies. The exact
timing for project construction is unknown at this time and therefore coordination
cannot be completed until permits are finalized.
Comment 322-bf: Comment Summary - The cumulative analysis cannot just state that since project
impacts are LTS, then there are no cumulative impacts.
The incremental contribution of the Project is considered in the context of potential
impacts from other reasonably foreseeable future project in the project vicinity. If
the Project will not incrementally contribute to a potential impact (i.e. there is no
impact or the level of impact is measured to be less than significant), then the project
does not typically contribute to a potential cumulative impact. If a potentially
cumulative impact exists outside the project area and the Project could potentially
contribute, although impacts within the project area are at levels of less than
significant, then the analysis is expanded and mitigation measures for cumulative
impacts are recommended.
Comment 322-bg: Comment Summary - Attachment A is unanswered NTPA scoping questions:
Comments described below.
Please refer to responses to comments below for specific examples.
Comment 322-bh: Comment Summary - Discuss spot zoning pros and cons.
The DEIS analyzes the potential impacts associated with additional height within the
project area proposed as part of the Code Chapter 22 amendment. The proposed
amendment will not allow increased height for adjacent land uses.
Comment 322-bi: Comment Summary - There is no analysis of true cumulative impacts.
PAGE 8- 94 HAUGE BRUECK ASSOCIATES SEPTEMBER 8 , 2010