Those who oppose the expansion of the Village at Squaw Valley are preparing for one last fight before the project is officially approved.
The group called Keep Squaw True is holding a town hall meeting Thursday evening to inform the community of the impacts the proposed development would have on the region and for a coming final vote. In August, the Placer County Planning Commission approved the plan to build 1,400 residential units and an indoor water park in a 4 to 2 vote, but the Placer County Board of Supervisors still has the final say.
"We'll be talking about the impacts of this project upon the entire North Lake Tahoe/Truckee region as well as how to advocate for more responsible development because this is just to much, to irresponsible," said Chase Schweitzer, representative for Keep Squaw True.
Keep Squaw True argues the impact would be detrimental to North Lake Tahoe with increased traffic and pollution. Representatives at Squaw Valley say they've already held around 400 community meetings over the last four years and the proposed project is after a great deal of community feedback.
"The general plan refers to 3,400 units. We've reduced from 3,400 units down to 1,400 units and we've done that with community input," said Andy Wirth, President & CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings.
The Keep Squaw True town hall meeting is Thursday, September 29 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Fairway Community Center located at 300 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City, California. Anyone, including proponents, of the project are welcome to attend.
A statement from Placer County about the project and coming Board of Supervisors meeting said, "There has been extensive opportunity for public review and comment on the proposal to date, both in public meetings and in response to the project's draft and final environmental impact reports, and everyone will have an opportunity to provide further comment during the board of supervisors' public hearing on the project in the fall...It is the board of supervisors who have the final say. We'll share it widely as soon as the date is set for the board's public hearing."
For more information about the meeting and Keep Squaw True, click here.
