STATELINE - The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board last week approved a change in its code to allow guest homes and rental units to exist on properties smaller than an acre.
Such housing was previously only permitted on parcels larger than an acre. The change is expected to allow the TRPA or the building departments of local governments to permit about 10 new affordable-housing units each year.
Affordable housing is increasingly difficult to find at the Lake Tahoe Basin as mobile home parks and apartments for lower- income workers are replaced by time shares.
Deeds for the housing will be restricted so owners will charge affordable rent. Establishment of a Local Government Housing Program in jurisdictions around the basin was also required by the board as part of the code change.
The approved programs will help ensure that the housing remains affordable and meets all TRPA environmental standards.
The agency will review applications for guest homes and rental units until the housing program is established and local jurisdictions have completed a memorandum of understanding with the TRPA.
The memorandums will allow the counties or South Lake Tahoe to review and approve guest homes or rental units, and allow the jurisdictions to bring into compliance guest homes or apartment units that don't have a permit.
The board also took action last week to allow TRPA staff to accept a $100,000 grant from Caltrans to study how cars and trucks travel within the basin.
The TRPA board expects to hire a consultant to do the study within the next month.
Gregory Crofton can be reached at gcrofton@tahoedailytribune.com or (530) 542-8045.
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