Planning Commission recommends council approve Old Colony tentative subdivision map in South Lake Tahoe

The City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission on a routine vote recommended that City Council approve the tentative subdivision map for the Old Colony residences at 3794 Montreal Road, a project that would subdivide nine buildings into airspace condominiums and advance previously approved multifamily development.

John Hitchcock, planning manager, told commissioners the proposal stems from a project the commission approved on Sept. 19, 2024, when it adopted resolution 2024-021 approving a design review permit (24-107) that allows construction of up to 30 multifamily units with the intent to subdivide into condominiums. Hitchcock said the tentative map is the next procedural step required before the developer can record a final map and a condo map to market individual units.

Nick Exine, representing the applicant, highlighted environmental improvements tied to the project, including an SEC restoration that Exine said provides "significant community water quality benefits associated with the project," and noted prior approvals by the planning commission, city council and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). Developer Mike Wishmire said the project will include amenities such as a small check-in space, gym and spa, and that the subdivision is intended to facilitate sales: "We are simply just trying to subdivide this to sell these units," he said.

Staff said the tentative map divides the underlying project into airspace condominiums and explained that approval requires the commission to find the project consistent with the general plan and applicable zoning, physically suitable for the proposed density (about eight units per acre), unlikely to cause substantial environmental damage, and able to be served by utilities and public services. Staff also cited a categorical exemption from CEQA consistent with in-fill development (citing the criteria commonly applied under Class 32 exemptions).

Commissioners treated the item largely as administrative; no public speakers addressed the matter during the item. A motion to pass a resolution making the findings set forth in the staff report and recommending City Council approve the tentative subdivision map carried. The commission’s action is a recommendation: final approval and recording of the final and condo maps will occur at the council and with the State of California processes as required.

Next steps: the commission’s recommended resolution will be forwarded to City Council for consideration; if the council approves the tentative map, the applicant will have 24 months to obtain approval of a final map (with limited extensions available under the Subdivision Map Act) and subsequently record a condominium map.