Commissioner Alexis Hill invited residents to join her for an online Q & A to discuss topics of importance to the communities of Incline Village/Crystal Bay. A panel of experts was on hand to help answer questions and share updates. Also featured are questions that weren’t addressed due to time constraints.
Short Term Rentals:
- Question: I am concerned that the new Short-Term Rental ordinances are not being publicized enough to potential hosts in Incline Village. My understanding is that < 200 applications have been filed when there are supposedly 800+ short-term rentals. Can the County please advertise/market the new ordinances more so that hosts understand the August 1st deadline?
Answer: Washoe County has gone to great lengths to spread the word regarding the new STR ordinance. In addition to sending out hundreds of letters, specifically targeting STR operators, Washoe County staff have organized numerous in person community meetings that attracted hundreds of attendees in addition to three virtual STR permitting workshops which were all very well attended. - Question: Can you tell us how many STR Applications have been submitted as of today 6/24?
Answer: As of Tuesday (6/29/21), Washoe County has received 223 STR applications. - Question: Will STR complaints be publicly recorded and fully searchable online?
Answer: STR complaints are processed in the same manner as other code violations. While the investigation is ongoing, information is not shared with the public. However, once the matter is resolved the complaint/violation will be searchable online just like any other violation. The public will not have access to the host complaint platform, but they will have access to our standard code enforcement process. - Question: If I have a BNB, and I am told it is not considered an STR, what type of permit should I get?
Answer: Depending on the regulatory zone, a bed and breakfast use type will likely require approval of a special use permit. However, many regulatory zones do not allow bed and breakfast use types. Please contact the Washoe County Planning Division to discuss the specifics of your property.
- Question: Is there a limit to how many rentals per year an STR can be rented?
Answer: There are no limits to the number yearly rentals.
TTD:
- Question: Regarding transportation hub: what were the objections to negotiating for the double properties on Tahoe Blvd/Southwood?
Answer: Property size, available land coverage, zoning, and timing of funding were primary concerns. If the properties are still available, they can be assessed more thoroughly as part of the site assessment that TTD will conduct after the school site acquisition.
- Question: There appears to be no room in Incline Village or traffic access to safely accommodate significant added incoming vehicle volume or to safely evacuate if needed. Residents have overwhelmingly opposed the Hub parking approach from a safety perspective. Why are you persisting in pursuing a major acquisition, site review effort and assessment in this small congested area rather than broader planning across a significantly larger geography with vehicle intercepts outside of Incline Village?
Answer: You can see the full Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan As outlined in the map on page 107, other mobility hubs would be located at Mount Rose or elsewhere on SR 431, outside the basin and at Spooner Summit at the intersection of SR 28 and US 50. The map on page 78 outlines all of the proposed mobility hubs that are part of a comprehensive transit network critical to reducing cars and traffic on Lake Tahoe’s roadways.
- Question: If we purchase the OES site BEFORE a formal site survey is completed, which is the current plan/approach, realistically doesn’t that rather preordain the outcome of selecting the OES?
Answer: A purchase of the school site would preserve it for further review as a possible location for the alternatives analysis. This is one of the largest properties in Incline Village, it is currently zoned for public use and TTD has used it as a temporary hub for 8+ years. Its central location to high density housing and area businesses are ideal conditions to encourage transit use and connectivity to jobs, services, and housing.
After acquisition, several steps and thorough research would still need to be done to determine if this location should be chosen as a permanent mobility hub.
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Question: Why has access to BCC meetings for verbal Public Comment been recently restricted to only on-site attendees?
Answer: Washoe County made special accommodations for residents to submit Public Comment during the pandemic while the Board of County Commissioners was holding virtual meetings. The county continued these accommodations for several months after in-person meetings resumed. The county is now conducting meetings as it did pre-pandemic, and residents who cannot participate in Public Comment in person can still submit their comment via email, and they will be entered into the record.
TRAFFIC / PARKING:
- Question: What is going on with the large parking lot next to the east shore parking lots? Can that be used for more parking?
Answer: The large parking lot is a privately held property. The owner is moving the fence closer to the new East Shore Trail lot boundary. The owner has been approached several times regarding use of some of that lot for public parking and is not interested. TTD has secured more grant funds and is looking at a project to add additional parking within the public right of way. - Question: I am very pleased that Washoe Co will be conducting a parking and traffic study. Will this be done in conjunction with or in consideration with the mobility hub?
Answer: The parking and traffic study will be in conjunction with the mobility hub alternative site analysis, although will remain separate because it will study all of IVCB.
