Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Redevelopment Chateau topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chateau site remains stalled as council forms ad‑hoc committee and presses owner
Summary
After two decades of stalled work at the Chateau hole in the ground, consultants warned the original entitlement no longer pencils and suggested plan revisions and potential tax‑increment financing; council formed an ad‑hoc committee to negotiate with the owner and asked staff to pursue stronger enforcement options if work does not advance.
A follow‑up presentation from consultant RSG and staff updated the City Council on the long‑running, partially built Chateau site. Jim Simon of RSG said the original entitlement (hundreds of tourist units and large convention space) is no longer financially feasible in the current market without substantial subsidies or a revised plan. RSG recommended a revised program with fewer units, larger tourist‑oriented units, more commercial floor area and possible workforce housing accompanied by targeted incentives such as tax‑increment financing (EIFD/TIF) in partnership with El Dorado County.
Consultants also noted the site’s entitlements are old and the existing parking structure and foundations need thorough structural review; market conditions, high interest rates and competition from the Tahoe Blue Event Center make a full convention center unlikely. Staff and consultants said some community benefits (affordable housing, park space) could be negotiated as part of any public assistance.
Public commenters and several council members called for stronger enforcement of abandoned construction codes and for staff to use the maximum daily citation cadence allowed by law; some urged city acquisition or more aggressive remedies. The property owner’s representative said the owner has invested significant funds (citing ongoing engineering and a near‑complete 16‑unit phase) and requested continued collaboration. Council voted to form an ad‑hoc committee (Mayor Bass and Councilmember Jenkins) to meet the owner and explore options and extended the consultant contract for a short time to continue the work.
What’s next: An ad‑hoc committee will meet with the owner and RSG; staff will pursue the county TIF inquiry and return to the council with recommended next steps. Council also asked staff to return with a revised abandoned‑construction enforcement approach for member review.
