RECAP BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S MEETING
JUNE 1, 2023, Continued
It has been almost two years since the BOCC revised the VHR Ordinance and created the VHR Advisory Board. I know most residents are tired of this drawn out drama. Many probably don’t care about this issue because VHRs are currently not allowed in the Carson Valley.
However, this may soon change as there is a movement to allow VHRs in the Valley. If this happens you will wish you did more to stop VHRs sooner. Take it from someone who lived next to a VHR. It is miserable.
That is why I am working so hard to prohibit VHRs in residential neighborhoods. Money for a few should NEVER take precedence over the safe, peaceful and quiet enjoyment of one’s home.
Yet, a majority of this Boards continues to pass regulations that help a few at the expense of the masses. In doing so, they continually violate its own laws and Norms and Procedures.
In this past meeting, Commissioners Gardner, Hales and Rice voted for the following provisions.
***Overnight occupancy is allowed for two people per bedroom plus two additional people 18 years and under.
***Day time occupancy is allowed for twice the number of people as night time occupancy. In some residences it can be as many as 42 people.
Douglas County’s Ordinance states VHRs must resemble the existing residential uses in the neighborhood. The average number of residents in a home at Lake Tahoe is less than three people. Does allowing 10, 12, or more people in one home resemble the existing residential uses in the neighborhoods? Of course not!
The BOCC’s Norms and Procedures state Commissioners shall make all decisions in the best interest of the residents of Douglas County…”
Is allowing three to four times the number of people in a home in the best interest of the residents of Douglas County? It is for the 145 people who own VHRs or are Property Managers, but that is only ½ of 1% of the residents of Douglas County.
The VHR Advisory Board recommended denial of both provisions. In January, Commissioner Hales passionately argued that the BOCC should adopt an advisory board’s recommendations because if we didn’t it would indicate the Board didn’t value their work.
Commissioner Hales also passionately argued that if I violated the Norms and Procedures by directly helping a constituent instead of referring the matter to the County Manager I should be reprimanded by the Board. Apparently, helping resolve a constituent’s problem is more troublesome than helping ½ of 1% of the residents run a business in a residential neighborhood.
***The VHR Ordinance states VHRs should be denied if it presents a health and safety concern. Yet, Commissioners Gardner, Hales and Rice voted to allow 15% of VHRs in neighborhoods whose roads do not comply with the International Fire Code resulting in a fire hazard. Chairman Gardner argued that residences live in the same fire hazard, missing the point that allowing three times as many cars and guests exasperates the fire hazard.
***Commissioners Gardner Hales and Rice refused to require a distance between VHRs as many other jurisdictions do. Is this in the best interest of the residents of Douglas County?
It is time for the residents of Douglas County to determine if it wants VHRs in Lake Tahoe and possibly the Carson Valley. Former Commissioner Dave Nelson and myself are starting an initiative to ban VHRs in residential neighborhoods. If you would like to volunteer please meet us on the patio at Casey’s, this afternoon, June 7th, between 4 pm and 6 pm. Unfortunately, Casey’s is closed today but Dave and I will be outside to meet you.
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