NORTH LAKE TAHOE, CA—A unique partnership of local landowners, developers and conservationists unveiled an extraordinary initiative to permanently preserve highly coveted open space in the heart of North Lake Tahoe's Martis Valley.

Referred to as the Martis Valley Opportunity, participants are working to secure a conservation and development plan that will result in 6,728 acres of permanent open space and a 600-unit net reduction of allowable development in Martis Valley.

East West Partners and Sierra Pacific Industries are moving forward with the appropriate governmental agencies to commence the review process for the proposed Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan and Area Plan project.

“East West Partners is looking forward to a collaborative effort that results in the vision for the Martis Valley Opportunity becoming a reality,” said Blake Riva, senior partner, East West Partners. “A diverse group of stakeholders has worked diligently together to get to this point and we hope to continue this positive relationship as we proceed through the public process. Collectively, we have a truly unique opportunity to achieve something quite remarkable from a conservation perspective in Martis Valley.”

Sierra Pacific Industries owns land on both sides of State Route 267 in Martis Valley. The East Parcel is comprised of 6,376 acres, of which 670 acres is zoned for residential and commercial development under the Martis Valley Community Plan. Although the allowed development on the East Parcel is 1,360 residential units and 6.6 acres of commercial area, under the terms of the Martis Valley Opportunity agreement and through proposed project entitlements, no development will occur on the East Parcel.

Consistent with the plan agreed to by all parties involved with the Martis Valley Opportunity, the proposed project would shift development from east of SR 267 to west of SR 267. The West Parcel would have allowed development of 760 residential units and 6.6 acres of commercial. The project would permanently retire the remaining 600 residential units of allowable development in Martis Valley. In conjunction with the shifting of allowed development from the East Parcel to the West Parcel, the entire East Parcel, all 6,376 acres, will be permanently protected as open space as well as 352 acres of the West Parcel.

Placer County and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will review and process the proposed Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan and Area Plan. A Notice of Preparation for the Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan and Area Plan Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement has been issued which signals the commencement of the public and environmental review process.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for landowners and conservation organizations to work together to protect a special area of the Sierra,” said SPI spokesman Mark Pawlicki. “It will add a significant block of private land to an existing protected area that will be open to the public for recreational use and conservation. Combined with previous conservation success in Martis Valley, it ensures preservation of over 50,000 contiguous acres of open space.”

Instant Insights /

Developers Construct Martis Valley Preservation Plan

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