STATELINE, Nev. – Many public comments expressed their approval for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) increased transparency in their Wednesday scoping meeting for the Barton Hospital site in Stateline. Though neighbors still expressed concern on evacuation routes, parking, and the impacts of the site, the upcoming environmental impact statement will be addressing concerns brought up in public comment.
The scoping meeting was scheduled after the TRPA deemed it necessary to upgrade to an environmental impact statement, the highest level of review, for the Barton Hospital project. It took place during the Advisory Planning Commission’s meeting time, where they opened the floor to public comments and also had a presentation on the impacts of the site and information available to people.
John Grigsby, a local resident who has attended multiple meetings, said, “You’ve done the right thing here and you’ve restored a significant amount of faith in the TRPA and its process. So, thank you. I know you don’t hear that much, but we appreciate it.”
Grigsby did go on to detail other specific concerns, many of which have been shared by neighbors since the early days of the projects—increased travel for California residents, inadequate parking, and lack of workforce housing. “What’s in it for the neighborhood? Where’s the benefit? Where’s the employee housing? Where’s the benefits to the lake? Right now, we’re just sort of arguing about how bad it’s allowed to get. So, we want you to understand why there’s pushback going forward and how to solve that.”
The noise impacts from the proposed helicopter pad, effects on wildlife, crowded parking, and inadequate road access have been major concerns for those in the surrounding neighborhood. Another top concern has been around why the California campus couldn’t simply be retrofitted or maintained.
During the presentation and public comments from those affiliated with Barton, they’ve confirmed that they are committed to a dual campus model and moving the acute care services to the Nevada campus, which would also be able to provide more services than the current California campus alone.
Barton also plans to work with US-50 and Kahle Drive improvement and water mitigation projects, as well as potentially partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to clean up and maintain Rabe Meadow. Two physicians also spoke to the hope that the hospital would bring improved care, more jobs and families, and better healthcare access to the community.
The project has now garnered the support of the South Tahoe Lodging Association, as represented by Jerry Bindel. “We’re in a rural community. To have a hospital of this nature is unbelievable,” said Bindel, citing the health improvements and access to both residents and guests as reasons why their board unanimously approved support of the project.
More information about the Barton Hospital project and where to submit comments can be found on Barton’s project page. Public comments can be mailed to the TRPA office or emailed to [email protected]. The deadline to submit comments is June 6, 2025.
