SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Lake Tahoe City Council adopted a Mid-Town Area Plan that encompasses nearly 780 acres in central South Lake Tahoe during their Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting.
The MTAP will replace the Bijou Al Tahoe Community Plan and the Sierra Tract Commercial Plan Area Statement in their entirety, as well as replacing a significant portion the Bijou Meadows PAS. Select parcels from the Al Tahoe PAS and Highland Woods PAS will be included to eliminate split zoning.
The goals of the area plan are to implement policy and design standards, emphasize the area as an arts and culture center, consider public service uses, identify transportation gaps and consider demand for enhancements to recreation assets.
The plan will cover six different districts:
- The Al Tahoe Center
- Tahoe Sierra Business District
- Public Service Center (South Tahoe Public Utility District; El Dorado County Library; South Tahoe Middle School; South Lake Tahoe Police Department; the South Lake Tahoe Branch of the El Dorado County Superior Court of California; and the Recreation & Aquatics Center.)
- Harrison/Sandy District
- Lake Tahoe Community College
- Bijou Recreation District
Councilmember David Jinkens raised concerns about the impact increased density could have on fire and emergency evacuation. Staff said initial studies have found a limited impact on evacuation, adding that increased density in town centers encourages greater fire mitigation around those centers.
Councilmember Scott Robbins also expressed concern about the 30% reduction to the number of required parking spots. He noted that parking needs are based on type of business, not the size of the business. For example, he said the Safeway parking lot is almost never full, but a restaurant might need a bigger parking lot to accommodate all of their customers.
Despite some of those concerns, the council approved the area plan 4-0 with Mayor Cody Bass recusing himself.
Land Exchange
During the meeting, the council approved a land transfer between the city and the California Tahoe Conservancy.
The city agreed to exchange 180.5 acres of city-owned property adjacent to Trout Creek and Cold Creek and on Link Road for 7.1 acres of conservancy-owned property near El Dorado Beach, various city water quality projects, Al Tahoe Pioneer Cemetery, Lake Tahoe Airport and Tahoe Island Drive.
Robbins said while he’s not one to willingly give up land, this specific land could never be used for housing because of its location within an environmentally sensitive zone. For that reason, he said, “there’s no benefit in keeping the land on the city’s books.” Still, he wants to make sure there is still beach access or view access on these properties.
Councilmember Keith Roberts added that the CTC is better equipped to handle land in environmentally sensitive areas and the city is better equipped to build on those small lots scattered throughout the city.
The council unanimously approved the exchange.
Former Recreation and Swim Complex
In March 2026, the city advertised a “Request for Interest” to community groups, non-profit organizations, and the public that would like to use the former recreation center for recreation-related activities for the community.
Only two groups responded to the advertisement. Only one of the responses was accepted as complete, which was submitted by the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe.
Because of the current condition of the building, the BGCLT wanted to discuss the possibility of demolishing the building and constructing a new indoor recreation facility. The new facility would serve as an indoor youth training complex with an indoor turf field and a multi-purpose room.
The council directed staff to continue conversations with BGCLT and El Dorado County over the future of that lot.
Master Fee Schedule
The council approved changes to Master Fee Schedule sections regarding event and vacation home rental fees.
The city was charging a blanket event permit fee of $1,059 regardless of the size of the event. Staff recommended lowering the permit fee for minor events which “generally involve fewer attendees, have a lower impact on City resources, and do not require public notice,” according to the staff report. The recommendation was to decrease the fee to $529 but Mayor Cody Bass pushed for the fee to be decreased even more. The council agreed on a fee of $250.
The council also approved a fee increase for vacation home rental inspections.
“The resolution established an initial inspection fee of $285 and a reinspection fee of $165, which was projected to cover the cost of inspections. However, since the implementation of Ordinance 2026-1203, which became effective on April 23, 2026, inspections have become more involved as a wider variety of homes apply for permits and are inspected,” the staff report stated.
The VHR inspection fee was increased from $285 to $570 and the reinspection fee was increased from $165 to $330.
Proclamations
The meeting began with several proclamations.
The council recognized September 2026, as Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month and Sept. 17-23, as Constitution Week. They also received a presentation from the Daughters of the American Revolution commemorating 9/11.
