Agency to deny multiple-family homes

STATELINE - New affordable housing possibilities in Douglas County may get slimmer this week.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency members are considering an application by Falcon Capital on Wednesday to allow multi-family homes in the recreation area of Rabe Meadow along U.S. Highway 50 south of the Dorla Court Commercial Center.

Agency staff members are recommending denial of the application. To allow commercial or residential projects in the area, staff members would have to determine the area was incorrectly mapped, the proposed project is needed to protect public health and safety or the project helps the agency meet one or more environmental criteria.

Staff members contend the project application meets none of those exceptions.

Falcon Capital co-owner Randy Lane disagrees.

"That plan area is not correctly mapped anyway," Lane said. "There's existing multi-family housing there already."

The nine-acre site proposed forabout 30 multiple family units has many granite outcroppings and acts as a natural barrier between Rabe Meadow and the commercial development of Dorla Court, according to staff members.

The parcel is one of five sites the agency analyzed in Douglas County as possessing the land capabilities for multiple family homes.

If Falcon's application is denied, Lane said he might have to look in California to build affordable housing.

Falcon Capital was required by the agency to construct 134 affordable housing units for the people who were displaced by the Lake Park Apartments demolition.

Three of the five low-cost apartment buildings on Kahle Drive have been torn down.

Lane said 24 apartments of a 64-unit complex will be ready for residents soon.

What: TRPA Governing Board meeting

When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday

Where: North Tahoe Conference Center, 8318 North Lake Tahoe Blvd., Kings Beach