Washoe County Planning Commission advances Tahoe-area plan updates, approves two abandonments and three zoning changes

The Washoe County Planning Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 5, approved multiple land‑use actions affecting the Tahoe planning area and neighboring developments, including two abandonments along Red Rock Road and Old Ranch Road, a master plan amendment to the Tahoe Area Plan, a master plan and regulatory‑zone consolidation for 700 Harper Court in Incline Village, and a density increase for a small Crystal Bay regulatory special area at 560 Lakeshore.

The commission voted unanimously on each item and directed staff to forward recommendations that require further approvals to the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners and, where applicable, to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

The master plan amendment portion of the Tahoe Area Plan update approved Tuesday retains an existing reference to the Tyrolean Village special area after property owner concerns led staff to withdraw a proposed removal. Senior planner Kat Oakley told commissioners the amended text also adds the Tahoe Transportation District to development of a parking‑management plan, updates transit and multimodal references to align with TRPA’s active‑transportation plan, updates references to the University of Nevada, Reno at Tahoe, and adds dates to data tables. Oakley said the development‑code revisions tied to the broader project are separate and were the subject of most public comment during earlier outreach.

During the general public‑comment period, Incline Village resident Rhonda Tyser urged the commission to oppose proposals she said would increase accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and density in the Tahoe Basin. “Allowing ADUs will exacerbate our already significant parking and traffic problems,” Tyser said,…