South Lake Tahoe council approves $940,000 purchase for replacement Fire Station 3

The South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a purchase and sale agreement to buy property adjacent to Fire Station 3 for $940,000, a step city officials say will allow construction of a one‑story replacement station while the existing Station 3 remains in operation during construction.

City staff told the council the parcels are being acquired from Bank of Montreal and the purchase price stems from a recent appraisal. The agreement calls for a $155,000 deposit, a 60‑day due‑diligence period (including a Phase I environmental review) and a 120‑day boundary line adjustment that will require Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) approval. Staff also said a 1978 deed restriction affecting coverage had been resolved after discussions with TRPA.

"This is a really exciting thing for the city," a council member said during debate, noting that the site accommodates a preferred drive‑through bay design and allows Fire Station 3 to remain operational during construction. The funds for the purchase were appropriated from Measure S sales tax proceeds, staff said.

A member of the public questioned whether other sites were evaluated; staff responded that alternatives were considered but the selected site best met design needs (drive‑through bay, appropriate parcel size) and environmental considerations. The council voted to authorize the mayor to execute the agreement and directed staff to take the steps necessary to implement the purchase and sale.

What happens next: City staff will start the 60‑day due diligence period, pursue the boundary line adjustment and TRPA approvals, and proceed with design steps for the new Fire Station 3.