OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. – The Placer County Planning Commission recommended on Thursday, April 16, the approval of proposed amendments to the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan, advancing the item to the Placer County Board of Supervisors for final consideration.

During its meeting in North Lake Tahoe, the commission heard a detailed presentation on the proposed amendments and public feedback from community members and stakeholders. The project applicant answered questions and detailed changes from previous iterations of the plan.

As part of its recommendation, the Planning Commission also supported revisions to the development agreement to address community concerns related to traffic safety and pedestrian crossings on Olympic Valley Road. At the applicant’s request, the timeline for constructing the pedestrian crossing at West Valley and Christy Hill would be accelerated, with completion required after the first 150 units are built. To balance this change, development of the Olympic Valley interpretive park would be deferred to align with the schedule for the Washeshu Creek restoration.

The Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan has undergone several iterations over the past decade. The project was originally approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors in 2016, followed by litigation and subsequent reconsideration. The board approved the specific plan again on Nov. 19, 2024, after which it was litigated a second time. In July 2025, Palisades Tahoe reached a settlement agreement with the League to Save Lake Tahoe and Sierra Watch, resolving legal challenges related to the development proposed in Olympic Valley. The agreement prompted the applicant to submit a revised plan with a reduced project scope.

“This is a great example of how we can work together to honor mountain culture and defend our Tahoe values,” said Tom Mooers of Sierra Watch, the conservation non-profit that launched the grassroots effort to keep Tahoe Truckee True.

The amended plan reflects significant changes, including:

• A 40% reduction in total hotel and condominium bedrooms, decreasing from 1,493 to 896
• A 20% reduction in new commercial space in the main Village area, from 277,733 square feet to 222,000 square feet
• A reduction in the Mountain Adventure Camp size from 90,000 square feet to 72,000 square feet, along with a height reduction from 96 feet to 78 feet
• Establishment of a 25-year development timeline within the specific plan boundary

In addition to these reductions, the amended plan includes several community benefits:

• Construction of employee housing to accommodate 295 employees, along with a $500,000 regional employee housing contribution
• Creation of an $800,000 regional initiative fund supporting environmental restoration, public trails and public safety improvements
• Dedication of land for the West Valley Fire Station
• Commitments to Washeshu Creek and Olympic Channel restoration efforts

The proposed amendments are intended to align the project with the terms of the legal settlement, while continuing to support economic vitality and environmental stewardship in Olympic Valley and the greater North Lake Tahoe region.

“We are grateful to the Planning Commission for their thoughtful consideration and to the community members who have engaged with us throughout this process,” said Amy Ohran, President & Chief Operating Officer of Palisades Tahoe. “This process has never been about being right—it’s about getting it right. The input we’ve received has helped shape a plan that better reflects the values of Olympic Valley, and we’re thankful to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives.”

The Placer County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve the plan at its May 12 meeting.

For more information about the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan, visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/8213/Village-at-Palisades-Tahoe-Specific-Plan.