Years in the Making: Tracking the 39° North Redevelopment Project

Placer County’s plan to revitalize the heart of Kings Beach—now known as the 39° North Project—is at a critical turning point. What began as a community-driven vision for walkability, housing, and local businesses is now a high-profile redevelopment proposal featuring a hotel, luxury townhomes, and limited commercial space. While officials describe the project as a step toward economic vitality, community concerns about public benefit, affordability, and environmental impact continue to grow.

Now is the time to explore the timeline, track public investments, and have your voice heard—your input is critical in shaping what comes next.

📅 Upcoming Meeting: June 5, 2025
Kingsbarn will present updated project designs and answer community questions at the North Tahoe Event Center on Thursday, June 5th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach located at 8318 North Lake Boulevard, Kings Beach, CA 96143. Revised designs will be presented. This is a crucial chance for public input before further milestones and potential approvals.

TAHOE BASIN AREA PLAN TOWN CENTER & 39° NORTH MIXED-USE REDEVELOPMENT (AKA: Kings Beach Center & Eastern Gateway Project)

📜 Decade of Decisions: The Journey to Revitalize Kings Beach Center (2004–2018)

Setting the Stage: How Kings Beach Center Came Under County Stewardship

Before the current redevelopment vision took shape, the Kings Beach Center site went through more than a decade of groundwork—acquisition, agency transitions, and long-term planning. From private ownership to public stewardship, these early steps were shaped by changing policies and shifting responsibilities. This timeline traces the critical milestones that led to Placer County gaining control of the site, laying the foundation for today’s 39 North vision.

2004–2008: Acquisition by Private Developer
Between 2004 and 2008, the Kings Beach Center properties were acquired by a private developer. This period marked the beginning of renewed interest in revitalizing the area, aligning with broader community development goals.

2004–2012: Redevelopment Agency Support
During this time, the Placer County Redevelopment Agency (RDA) provided general support for implementing ideas from the 1996 Kings Beach Community Plan. The RDA’s involvement aimed to facilitate redevelopment efforts and improve the economic vitality of the region.

2012: Dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency
In 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown dissolved all RDAs statewide. This action led to the establishment of Successor Agencies to manage the remaining assets and obligations of the former RDAs. Placer County’s Successor Agency assumed responsibility for properties, including the Kings Beach Center.

2014: Approval of Long-Range Property Management Plan
In February 2014, the Placer County Successor Agency Board approved an amended Long-Range Property Management Plan (LRPMP) for submission to the California Department of Finance. This plan outlined the permissible uses for various properties, including the Kings Beach Center, emphasizing mixed-use development consistent with existing planning documents.

2014: Acquisition of Kings Beach Center by Successor Agency
Later in 2014, the Successor Agency acquired the Kings Beach Center property in lieu of foreclosure. This acquisition was a strategic move to facilitate future redevelopment aligned with community objectives.

2015: Transfer of Property to Placer County
Following the guidelines set forth in the LRPMP, the property was transferred from the Successor Agency to Placer County in 2015. This transfer enabled the county to take a more active role in planning and executing redevelopment initiatives for the Kings Beach Center.

Reimagining Kings Beach: A Vision for a Thriving, Walkable Community (2016)

In an ambitious move to revitalize the heart of Kings Beach, Placer County and its Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency issued three Requests for Interest (RFIs) on April 25, 2016. The invitation called on experienced developers to propose high-quality, community-minded projects for three key properties along North Lake Boulevard—each poised to play a major role in transforming the area into a vibrant, walkable town center.

This effort is part of the Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project (KBCCIP)—a $50 million public investment focused on water quality, beautification, and improving transportation infrastructure. The ultimate goal? To create a welcoming, mixed-use destination that serves residents, supports local businesses, and attracts visitors.

🏘️ The Properties at a Glance:

1. Kings Beach Center
📍 Location: Across from the Kings Beach State Recreation Area
📐 Size: ~3.5 acres (16 parcels)
🛣️ Frontage: 625 feet on North Lake Blvd
🏗️ 2016 Vision: Mixed-use development—accommodations, retail, office, and civic spaces

2. Eastern Gateway Property
📍 Location: North Lake Blvd & Chipmunk Street (Eastern entrance to Kings Beach)
📐 Size: ~1.3 acres (10 parcels)
🛣️ Frontage: 400 feet on North Lake Blvd
🏘️ 2016 Vision: Workforce housing and mixed-use commercial development

3. Town Center South
📍 Location: North Lake Boulevard corridor
📐 Size: ~0.9 acres (4 parcels)
🛣️ Frontage: 125 feet on North Lake Blvd
🏪 2016 Vision: Commercial development

These redevelopment sites were offered individually, but Placer County also encouraged developers to consider proposals that combine multiple sites into a larger, integrated project. All plans were expected to align with the Kings Beach Vision Plan (2013) and the Placer County Tahoe Basin Area Plan, both of which highlight environmental stewardship and community character.

🔗 Learn more and explore the original RFI documents here: Kings Beach Development Opportunity | RFI No. 10538 – Town Center South (PDF)

📊 Testing the Vision: A Feasibility Study for Kings Beach Center (2017)

By mid-2017, Placer County was ready to take the next step in bringing its downtown Kings Beach vision to life. With interest from developers growing, the County sought to ensure the proposed ideas were not only aspirational—but market viable.

In May 2017, Placer County hired the global real estate advisory firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the Kings Beach Center site. The goal: validate the site’s development potential and pinpoint the best mix of uses.

🔍 Key Takeaways from the JLL Study:

✅ Best Use Identified: A mixed-use hotel development—with potential for ground-floor retail and public space—was determined to be the most economically viable and desirable use of the property.
💰 Land Valuation: The study estimated the Kings Beach Center property’s value between $2.3 million and $3.5 million, depending on the final development concept and market conditions.
📈 Market Potential: The analysis confirmed growing demand in the North Lake Tahoe region for boutique hotel accommodations that integrate seamlessly with walkable, amenity-rich town centers.

This study gave Placer County the confidence to proceed with development planning and outreach, reinforcing the idea that Kings Beach could support a revitalized downtown anchored by hospitality, retail, and community-friendly spaces.

🗂️ Read the full feasibility report here: Kings Beach Center Strategic Assessment (JLL, 2017)
📄 Or explore the County’s summary: Placer County Hotel Study Summary

🏨 Turning Vision Into Commitment: The First Purchase Agreements (2018)

After years of planning, feasibility studies, and community input, the Kings Beach revitalization effort entered a major new phase in early 2018—with real commitments, real money, and a clear path forward.
At least we thought so.

📅 February 6, 2018 – Major Milestone: Kings Beach Center Purchase Agreement
Placer County’s Board of Supervisors approved a $3 million Purchase and Sale Agreement with Kings Beach Center LLC, marking a significant turning point for the redevelopment of the 3.5-acre Kings Beach Center site.

Unlike a typical competitive bidding process, the County did not issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) or conduct a transparent review of competing development offers. Instead, the County moved forward with an unsolicited proposal from developer Craig Clark, despite emerging public concerns about the process and lack of competitive selection.

👥 Community Pushback:
More than 800 residents signed a petition calling on Placer County to ensure community input and transparency in selecting the Kings Beach Town Center developer. The petition urged the Board of Supervisors to pause the agreement and pursue an open, public process.

📄 Read the petition:
🔗 Change.org – Community Input Should Be Mandatory in Selection of Kings Beach Town Center Developer

📁 See official board action:
🔗 Placer County Board of Supervisors Agenda – February 6, 2018

🔑 Key Elements of the 2018 Development Vision:

🏨 Hotel: 80 to 150 rooms to attract visitors and bolster the local economy
🏠 Condominiums: 10 to 40 units, creating new homeownership opportunities
🛍️ Retail: 15,000 square feet of commercial space to energize the town core
🏛️ Public Use: 2,000 square feet reserved for civic amenities—potentially a new library

📂 Learn more from official records:

🔗 Placer County: Kings Beach Center Property Purchase Approval

🔗 CEQA Notice of Exemption – State Clearinghouse No. 2018028413

🏘️ Expanding the Vision: Eastern Gateway Purchase (2019)

📅 January 29, 2019 – Eastern Gateway Sold to Support Workforce Housing

In a complementary move, the Eastern Gateway Property—1.3 acres of vacant land across 10 parcels on the eastern edge of town—was sold to Kings Beach Center LLC for $1.1 million, approved by the Placer County Successor Agency Board.

🏗️ 2019 Development Highlights:

🏘️ Workforce Housing: Up to 45 units, designed to accommodate up to 90 residents—exceeding regional workforce housing requirements
🛒 Commercial Space: Mixed-use plans include approximately 10,000 square feet of retail and commercial frontage

This phase of development aimed to strike a balance between economic opportunity and affordable living for locals—a crucial piece in making Kings Beach a livable, thriving community for all.

🗂️ Learn more from official county records:

⏳ In the Balance: Negotiations, Delays, and Incentives (2019–2023)

After the initial sale agreements were approved in 2018 and early 2019, the Kings Beach redevelopment effort entered a prolonged and complicated chapter—marked by repeated extensions, opaque developer changes, shifting incentives, and growing community concern.

From 2019 to 2023, Placer County and the development team worked to keep the project alive through evolving partnerships, stalled environmental review, and a pattern of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Throughout this time, the public saw limited transparency and little meaningful engagement—despite the fact that the project sits on public land and seeks millions in public subsidies.

Key events during this period include:

The Eastern Gateway acquisition, tying workforce housing to the hotel-centered Kings Beach Center deal
A series of extensions to keep the original Purchase and Sale Agreements alive
In 2002 an application from Kingsbarn for millions in potential TOT and TAU incentives—before being named as the developer on the project
A quiet developer hand-off to Kingsbarn without community notice
And the 2023 transfer of a vital public parking lot—used by Post Office patrons and local residents—without clear terms for free public replacement

Though the County recently added deadlines and milestone requirements to the agreements, many residents are asking: What has truly been gained in these years of negotiation—and what has been given away?

🔄 March 11, 2019 – Linking the Projects Together

The Placer County Successor Agency entered into a two-year Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Eastern Gateway Property, making the deal contingent on the buyer’s successful acquisition of the Kings Beach Center site. This tied both parts of the redevelopment vision together: a hospitality-driven core and workforce housing at the town’s eastern edge.

🔗 Learn more and explore the details…

📄 Read the Agenda & Resolution
📑 View the Agenda Packet (Page 49)

🗓️ 2020–2021 – Delays, Financial Challenges, and Extensions Begin

While planning and entitlement complexities were cited as primary reasons for delays, investor concerns, the County’s development strategy, and broader economic factors also played crucial roles during this period. Reportedly, the original developer, Craig Clark, faced financial difficulties—including missed payments to the County and consultants—which contributed to setbacks such as losing key partners like his local planner, architect, and hotel collaborator.

Key timeline milestones include:

May 14, 2020 – The County approved a Second Amendment extending the Kings Beach Center agreement to November 15, 2020.
October 30, 2020 – The County granted a further informal extension to March 15, 2021.
March 9, 2021 – The Third Amendment to the Kings Beach Center agreement extended the Project Approvals Contingency Period to March 31, 2023, with two six-month extension options. On the same day, the First Amendment for the Eastern Gateway property was also approved to maintain consistency across both sites.

These amendments reflect the County’s efforts to keep the redevelopment moving forward despite the financial and planning challenges faced.

🔗 Learn more and explore the details:
📄 Kings Beach Center 3rd Amendment (Mar 2021)
📄 Eastern Gateway 1st Amendment (Mar 2021)

💰 April 2022 – Kingsbarn’s Initial Application for Incentives Through North Lake Tahoe Economic Development Incentive Program

In April 2022, Kingsbarn Realty Capital had not yet formally acquired the Kings Beach Center project when it submitted its first draft application to Placer County’s North Lake Tahoe Economic Development Incentive Program, requesting two main benefits to support the proposed hotel and mixed-use development:

Development rights cost offset: Kingsbarn sought 153 Transferable Activity Units (TAUs) to build a 217-unit project (including 38 condominiums). Since there was a TAU deficit, Kingsbarn planned to address it partly by converting existing development rights on-site and partly by sourcing TAUs from the market.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rebate: Kingsbarn requested a rebate on newly-generated TOT from the 179 hotel units and 38 condominiums, proposing that 80% of the new TOT revenue be rebated back to the developer, with the remaining 20% split between the County general fund and TAU loan payback until fully repaid.

At the time, the County had 146 TAUs banked for the program. Kingsbarn aimed to leverage a pilot program allowing limited conversion of Commercial Floor Area (CFA) to TAUs, facilitating the project’s TAU needs. Despite plans to use these mechanisms, a small TAU deficit remained.

This initial application set the foundation for public incentives tied to a project that was still evolving, with financial and environmental reviews ongoing.

🔗 North Lake Tahoe Economic Development Incentives Program (Program Overview)

🔗 To see where the project stands in the 2024 incentive request review, view the County Staff Report here: JAN 2025 Memo – Placer County

🔍 Developer Swapped Without Public Notice: Kingsbarn Quietly Takes Over Kings Beach Project

On October 20, 2022, without public notice or community involvement, Kings Beach Center LLC quietly transferred its development rights to KB Kings Beach LLC, an entity affiliated with Kingsbarn Realty Capital. This marked the fourth developer involved with this project.

The County was aware of the transfer on the same day, but the public wasn’t informed. And it wasn’t until more than a year later — on December 5, 2023 — that the Board of Supervisors formally approved the related Fourth Amendment.

In that year-long gap, major revisions to the project were underway — with no opportunity for community review or input. For a project involving public land and public incentives, this lack of transparency is deeply concerning.

Why was a significant change in control of public land allowed to sit in silence for over a year — with no transparency, no update to the public, and no explanation of implications for the community?

📑 Related Documents:

📅 December 5, 2023 – PA 4th Amendment + Major Extension with Milestones

After years of extensions, the County took a more structured approach. On December 5, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a Fourth Amendment for Kings Beach Center and a Second Amendment for Eastern Gateway. These extended the Project Approvals Contingency Period to March 31, 2026, with two additional 1-year options—but this time, tied to specific project milestones:

📌 Required Milestones:

By Feb 27, 2024 – Submit a stable project description to the County’s Community Development Resource Agency (CDRA)
By July 31, 2024 – Execute and fund an environmental review scope and contract with a four-party consultant team
By March 31, 2026 – Submit final CEQA (EIR/EIS) documents for County review
Quarterly Updates – Regular written reports to the County on progress and schedule

🔗 Learn more and explore the details…

📄 Kings Beach Center 4th Amendment (Dec 2023)
📄 Eastern Gateway 2nd Amendment (Dec 2023)
📺 Watch the Board Meeting

🎙️ Key Takeaways from the Board Meeting:

Eric Findley (County Real Estate): “This is the first time we’ve embedded hard milestones in the agreement.”
Stephanie Holloway (CDRA): “We’re finally ready to move into the environmental and permitting phase.”
💬 Yet some community members expressed concern about the lack of transparency around what these milestones actually mean for the public.

📍 December 12, 2023 – County Transfers Salmon Avenue Parking Lot to Developer

Placer County approved the transfer of the Salmon Avenue Parking Lot—a County-owned parcel next to the Kings Beach Post Office—to KB Kings Beach LLC (Kingsbarn). This transfer occurred outside the original 2018 Kings Beach Center sale and was made at no cost to the developer.

The developer committed to:

🚗 Replacing the 22 public parking spaces in a new underground parking garage under the proposed hotel
🚧 Adding new street parking on Salmon Avenue
🏙️ Granting the County 8,276 sq ft of right-of-way for street and sidewalk improvements

A permanent deed restriction requires Kingsbarn to maintain 22 public parking spaces if the hotel is built. If no garage is constructed by January 30, 2030, the property will revert to County ownership—also at no cost.

🤔 But How Does This Serve the Community?

This lot currently serves as essential overflow parking for the Kings Beach Post Office, especially for seniors, workers, and nearby residents—since the Post Office itself has very limited on-site parking.

The agreement promises to replace these spaces underground, but:

It is unclear whether the future garage will include free public access or be paid parking
Construction could take years, potentially disrupting access in the meantime
The benefit hinges entirely on the completion of a yet-to-be-approved hotel project

For now, the community is being asked to give up a functioning public lot—without clear guarantees that the replacement will be equally convenient, free, or truly accessible.

🔗 View the official resolution (2023-292)
🔗 County staff report & site details

🏗️ Policy Changes Prioritized Over Environmental Review? (2024–2025)

The 39° North Project, a major redevelopment effort in Kings Beach, has raised growing concerns over transparency, community input, and the rapid pace of policy changes happening before a full environmental review is complete. The project has already significantly reduced leasable commercial space, impacting local businesses and the vibrancy of downtown.

After years of delays and multiple extensions, the project remains in escrow, with taxpayers still bearing costs while the developer benefits from public incentives and policy shifts. Importantly, the previously submitted project description did not meet the Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) standards. The County and developer are still working to align the project with these regulations and community expectations.

The 4th Purchase Agreement set a milestone requiring the project to be “stable and accepted” by February 2024. But with ongoing redesigns, missing financial disclosures, and a stalled CEQA process, it’s unclear how that milestone was ever truly met.

Meanwhile, as of May 2025, Placer County has hinted it may opt to forgo a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in favor of a shortened CEQA checklist process. The County has yet to clarify which approach it will take, but this move could drastically shorten the environmental review timeline and limit the community’s opportunities for meaningful engagement—opportunities that residents have been patiently waiting for. This accelerated timeline appears driven by the developer’s milestones outlined in the purchase agreements, putting pressure on the County to fast-track approvals.

This ongoing uncertainty underscores the need for clear communication, genuine public involvement, and a redevelopment plan that genuinely reflects Kings Beach’s values and priorities.

❗ January 2024 – TAU Rebate Sparks Criticism

In January 2024, the Placer County Board of Supervisors considered a Tourist Accommodation Unit (TAU) Transfer and Rebate Option Agreement for the 39° North project. This proposal included significant additional public subsidies, including:

🏨 A forgivable loan of $2,138,900 for the transfer of 146 TAUs to developer KB Kings Beach, LLC (affiliated with Kingsbarn Realty Capital).
🧾 A 20-year TOT rebate, estimated to total between $28.6 million and $38.6 million, based on the project’s financial performance.

However, the Board ultimately rejected the agreement due to a lack of majority support. As a result, while the $4.75 million in TOT incentives approved in 2022 remains in place, these additional benefits — including the TAU transfer and expanded rebate — did not move forward.

🔗 Learn more and explore the details…📄 View TAU Agreement Memo

🧱 February 2024 – Project Description Quietly Submitted

The developer submitted a Stable Project Description to begin the CEQA environmental review process. This was a key milestone The 2024 proposed development includes:

179-room hotel
38 luxury townhomes
62 workforce housing units
8,300 sq. ft. of retail

Residents have raised flags about the true affordability and accessibility of the workforce housing. Who qualifies? How long are units deed-restricted? What retail tenants will serve the community—not just tourists?

📣 May 2024 – Community Meeting Raises Eyebrows

Developer Kingsbarn hosted a community information session in Kings Beach in May—but instead of reassurance, the meeting stirred more uncertainty. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, primarily focused on the project’s features and amenities aimed at tourists, with little consideration for how it fits within the Kings Beach community. Residents pushed back on:

Lack of transparency around environmental review and public input
Ambiguity on housing timelines and affordability
Parking, traffic, and infrastructure stress
Design scale being out of character for the small mountain town

📰 Here what Sierra Sun had to say about the May 15, 2024, informational meeting where residents expressed skepticism about the project’s scale, environmental impact, and alignment with the community’s character. Meeting on 39 North Project reveals deep community concerns and distrust

📰 For a detailed recap of the meeting, visit the Strong North Tahoe recap.

For a comprehensive recap of the meeting and detailed insights into the community’s perspective, you can read the full article by Strong North Tahoe:

🔗 Is Placer County Ignoring Community Input? June 2024 NTRAC Recap

🗓️ June 13, 2024 – NTRAC Meeting Reveals Tension Between County Vision and Community Concerns

On June 13, 2024, Placer County staff presented an overview of the Kings Beach Center and Eastern Gateway redevelopment projects to the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council (NTRAC). The presentation walked through the property’s acquisition history, evolving vision, and partnership with the current developer, KB Kings Beach LLC (Kingsbarn). While the intent was to “educate” the Council, many attendees viewed the meeting as highlighting the growing disconnect between the County’s redevelopment approach and community expectations.

Key Takeaways:

Community Concerns on Transparency & Priorities:
Residents voiced frustration over the lack of clarity regarding how community feedback has shaped the project. Many felt that the original community-based vision — emphasizing affordability, walkability, and local-serving businesses — has been sidelined in favor of high-end tourism infrastructure.
Calls for True Engagement:
Numerous NTRAC members and attendees advocated for deeper, earlier community involvement. Some noted that critical decisions — including awarding millions in public incentives — occurred before meaningful public dialogue took place.
County-Outlined Next Steps:
The County concluded its presentation with a timeline of formal opportunities for public involvement in the months ahead:
- Notice of Preparation (NOP) for environmental review
- Release of a Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS)
- Review and approval of Project Entitlements, including permits and final plans

For a detailed recap of the meeting — including community reactions and unresolved questions — visit the full article by Strong North Tahoe:

🔗 Is Placer County Ignoring Community Input? June 2024 NTRAC Recap

⏳ Summer 2024 – Policy Changes Push Forward While CEQA Lags Behind

n July 2024, Placer County, TRPA, Kingsbarn, and project consultants signed a 4-party agreement to formally initiate the CEQA environmental review process. The agreement outlined roles, responsibilities, and cost-sharing—marking a key procedural milestone. But during this same phase, Placer County also advanced major policy changes to accommodate the project, including:

🔼 Increased building height and density allowances
🏙️ New mixed-use zoning standards
🌱 Updated sustainability codes for energy, water, and stormwater

📄 View the 4 way Agreement with Code Change Summary ›

These code changes—designed to support the project—were introduced without waiting for a completed Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which is not expected until March 31, 2026. While Kingsbarn finalized and funded the environmental consultant contract by July 31, 2024, many residents say the CEQA process feels like an afterthought.

Importantly, the previously submitted project description did not meet Tahoe Basin Area Plan, TRPA, or local ordinance standards. Yet the County has recently hinted it may not require a full EIR, instead opting for a shortened checklist review—a move that would drastically cut public input opportunities the community has waited years for.

➡️ With developer purchase agreement deadlines looming, residents are questioning why key policies are being rewritten to accommodate an unstable proposal, instead of waiting for a project that truly reflects the community’s vision.

🚨 Policy Before Protection?

The concern from many locals: policy changes are being prioritized before environmental consequences are fully understood. While the 4-party agreement paints a picture of progress, community groups see a troubling trend—a rush to change the rules before analyzing the risks.

What’s at Stake:

Environmental Oversight Sidestepped: Without a complete CEQA review, residents are left wondering how the project will affect air quality, wildfire safety, water usage, and traffic.
Transparency Gaps: Few public-facing updates have been made since early 2024, leading some to question whether environmental safeguards are being taken seriously.
Community Input Undervalued: Meetings have been held, but many residents feel they’re being asked to react to decisions already made, rather than shape the project from the start.

This raises a broader question: Are local and regional agencies prioritizing streamlined development over environmental integrity and democratic planning? If 39° North can fast-track policy changes ahead of full CEQA review, it may set a precedent for future developments throughout the Tahoe Basin.

⚖️ The Call for Balance

Placer County argues that the code updates are necessary to address housing shortages and economic stagnation in Kings Beach. But community advocates counter that growth must not come at the cost of environmental due diligence. The public deserves to weigh in before foundational planning rules are rewritten—not after.

Could this growing tension between policy acceleration and environmental responsibility define the public narrative around 39° North? Whether the project can reconcile both priorities will determine not just its success, but its legitimacy.

🧭 May 28, 2025 — Strong North Tahoe Leadership Meets with Kingsbarn and Placer County

On May 28, 2025, Strong North Tahoe representatives met with Kingsbarn and Placer County staff to discuss the project’s progress. Key points from the meeting included:

Kingsbarn acknowledged concerns raised during the May 2024 meeting and discussed adjustments made to the project design.
The developer expressed openness to further community engagement but did not provide specific plans for future collaboration.
Strong North Tahoe emphasized the need for more transparency and meaningful public involvement in the decision-making process.

For more details, read the Strong North Tahoe summary.

🏢 June 5, 2025 — Project Update Meeting

On June 5, Kingsbarn held a public “Project Update Meeting” at the North Tahoe Event Center. They presented design updates and answered community questions, but key concerns around alignment with local values and transparency remain.

🔗 Full Meeting Summary » (https://strongnorthtahoe.org/39-north-project-kingsbarn-update/)

🏛️ June 24, 2025 — Placer County Board of Supervisors Meeting

🛑 Speak Up on 39 North: Tentative TAU Incentives & CEQA Protections Vote
Two key items—TAU transfers & Four-Way Agreement amendments—might be coming to the Board. Your voice can make a difference.

What Are TAUs and Why They Matter
Tourist Accommodation Units (TAUs) are a limited, county-controlled resource for short-term lodging. In January 2024, Kingsbarn tried to claim all 146 available TAUs plus a $2.14 M forgivable loan and an 80% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rebate—only to be rejected so that at some % could go to smaller, community-led projects. Now they’re back with a revised request. If they succeed, locals could lose the chance to support affordable housing, wildfire resilience, or small-scale tourism initiatives.

What’s the Four-Way Agreement?
Signed in February 2024, this pact sets the rules for project milestones, environmental review, and subsidy payouts. Proposed tweaks could include:
• Limiting CEQA triggers, so fewer actions would require the full Environmental Impact Report (EIR/EIS).
• Pushing deadlines for critical deliverables (EIR draft, financing commitments) into 2026–2028.
• Reworking TOT rebates and TAU timing, potentially front-loading benefits to the developer before public review is complete.

What You Can Do

Read the packet: Agenda and staff reports post on June 20 at https://www.placer.ca.gov/10065/_2025
Submit a comment: Email [email protected] with subject “Public Comment – 39 North / June 23–24 Hearing”
Show up & speak: Monday & Tuesday, June 23–24 at 9 AM, 8318 N. Lake Blvd, Kings Beach
Share the facts: Post this link with your neighbors—https://strongnorthtahoe.org/take-action/39-north-kings-beach-timeline/

Why This Matters
• TAUs are a finite public asset—once awarded, they’re gone.
• CEQA safeguards protect our air quality, wildfire evacuation routes, wildlife habitat, and water resources.
• Project subsidies on public land should only flow after genuine community engagement and rigorous environmental review.

Let’s ensure that any incentives for 39 North truly benefit our community—not just corporate interests. Speak up, show up, and demand accountability before June 23–24 requesting a proposal be truly aligned with the community’s vision and values.

🗣️ Ongoing — Community Engagement & Quarterly Updates

Placer County has mandated that Kingsbarn provide quarterly written project updates and hold regular community touchpoints to keep residents informed. Local advocacy groups like Strong North Tahoe are closely monitoring progress and encouraging residents to participate in the public comment process.

Key themes from the public:

Desire for greater transparency
Interest in how workforce housing will be priced and allocated
Curiosity about traffic and parking solutions
Questions about local business opportunities in the new retail space

📝 What’s Next?

📝 What’s Next?
Kingsbarn must meet these upcoming project milestones:

Quarterly: Submit written project status updates to Placer County
By March 31, 2026: Deliver a complete Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for County review
Optional extensions: Through 2028 if progress continues and milestones are met

🔗 Official Project Website (Kingsbarn) (https://kingsbarnrealty.com/39-north)
🔗 Kings Beach Center 4th Amendment (Dec 2023) PDF » (https://strongnorthtahoe.org/docs/KB4thAmendment.pdf)
🔗 Eastern Gateway 2nd Amendment (Dec 2023) PDF » (https://strongnorthtahoe.org/docs/EasternGateway2ndAmendment.pdf)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Built from publicly available Placer County records and other online sources. Corrections? Email [email protected] (please cite your source).