Local Lens – New Years Resolutions
January 4, 2023 | Linda Offerdahl
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I know I’m not the only one resolving to lose weight and get more physically fit in 2023. How did breaking my wrist in 2021 result in my lack of focus on exercise for the last two years! Maybe you can relate; it doesn’t take much to sit or eat too much, get too busy, or just lazy. What’s motivating me now (besides New Year’s resolutions), is my annual physical with Dr. Koch! I am grateful for the IVGID Rec Center and the wonderful friends that keep me coming back to classes. I’ve had 3 days in a row where the rings on my Apple Watch were happy. Wish me luck!
Winter is my favorite season. I’m loving the snow, cross country skiing and just tromping around Lariat Circle and our Joyous Journey Art Park with its colorful sculptures. The subject of clearing the Incline sidewalks came up at the Washoe County Citizens Advisory Board last night. A shortage of county staff is part of the problem. Staff dedicated to sidewalk clearance is something Commissioner Hill is trying to get in the budget for next year. In the meantime, give pedestrians a little extra room.
Those of you looking for more community involvement, I recommend that you attend the Citizen Advisory Board meetings held on the first Monday of the month, either on Zoom or at the Incline Library Community Room. Each meeting features a speaker talking about a relevant issue. One of last meeting’s speakers was Jacob Stock from the TRPA speaking about the process to amend the Washoe Tahoe Area Plan. Yes, there really is a plan and it is an agreement between Washoe County and TRPA, the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority. The issue at hand is whether the plan should be amended to allow condominiums to be developed within the definition of Incline’s town center. It has come up because of a proposed luxury condominium development at the corner of Tahoe Blvd and Southwood, a long-term vacant lot that used to have a restaurant and a gas station. One could ask why no one has stepped in with a new business or with a proposed apartment building before now. The reality is that it is not economically feasible to build workforce housing.
What has many people up in arms, is that there IS a strong need for workforce housing in Incline Village. This is a chronic problem, not a new one. It needs strong leadership and direction from Washoe County and TRPA. Commissioner Hill is addressing workforce housing through a grant with Tahoe Prosperity Center. The Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership Roadmap should be forthcoming this spring and give direction to Washoe County and TRPA on how to address this very troubling issue.
IVCBA is starting its third year of operation. Our vision is a thriving community that supports, and is supported by, its agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and residents. We have close to 300 members and have made a big impact with communications such as the SnapShot newsletter and the Live.Work.Play. magazine. We have also become known for organizing community-wide events, such as Northern Lights and the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration. 2023 will find us working on redevelopment and revitalization issues through the Incline Main Street program. If you agree with our vision of a thriving community, please join, either as a community supporter or a business. Join IVCBA here.
ONE MORE THING: Get some culture this weekend and attend the TOCCATA concert at St. Patrick’s on Saturday at 3pm!