Top of Their game

COMiCS n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

Courtesy photo

Pictured are the 2023 city of Placerville NFL Flag Football League champion Packers of the 11-14 year old age group. From left, top row, are Izaak M., Coach Isaiah Rheaume, Christian M., through mutual friends and “did a phenomenal job” helping coach the team, according to McPartland. The league was founded in 2022 and currently has 22 teams across three different age groups, with all being played at El Dorado High School.

DOT prepping to pave

Mountain Democrat staff n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

The El Dorado County Department of Transportation Roads and Maintenance Division is notifying residents of microgrinding projects in Camino Heights and Cameron Park this week.

From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. crews will be at work on Cameron Park Drive between Highway 50 and Green Valley Road through Friday, July 14.

On Saturday, July 15, microgrinding is planned for the entire length of Camino Heights Drive.

DOT officials note the work is “essential prior to the surface treatment, which will take place at a later date.” These road projects are being carried out by workers from Anrak Corporation.

“The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento Police Department’s Gang Investigations Unit for their detailed and thorough

Housing Continued from A5

Guilty Continued from A1 communities.”

Driven by the urgent need for affordable housing solutions, TRPA’s Governing Board is re-examining policies that have had the unintended consequence of incentivizing luxury development versus more affordable housing types.

Development standards in Lake Tahoe are central to protecting the basin’s water quality and reducing the impact of new homes and businesses on the environment.

However, most development in the basin was built decades ago and pre-dates these standards. In 2012, TRPA updated the Regional Plan to encourage redevelopment of preexisting homes and businesses so they can meet modern water quality standards and help create more walkable town centers.

While progress is being made, the agency says it is imperative to continue environmental redevelopment that simultaneously increases affordable housing options.

“Lake Tahoe can’t grow its way out of these challenges,” said Regan.

“While our unique integration of environmental protection and growth management has made great strides in cultivating sustainable communities, we’re facing a new housing affordability crisis. Now we must more meaningfully engage with Tahoe’s disadvantaged and historically underserved communities to find new housing solutions for everyone.”

While most funding support for affordable housing in the Lake Tahoe region has gone to construction of new housing on vacant land and financial assistance to individuals, the scale of challenges in the basin require solutions coming from every sector, according to TRPA.

Data compiled by the Tahoe Prosperity Center shows just 28% of Tahoe residents can afford the median-priced home, the cost of which tripled from 2012 to 2021. A little more than 50% of homes in the region are occupied, with some areas being 90% second homes. The agency worked closely with partner organizations and local jurisdictions to determine the most impactful set of programs for Tahoe.

“El Dorado County was honored to partner with TRPA on securing the HIT grant and we look forward to continuing the work to deliver investigation,” DA’s Office officials state in a Facebook post. “(Their work) secured swift justice for the victim and the community and will help keep gang activity and violence out of El Dorado County.” transformative housing changes in the Tahoe basin,” said deputy director of El Dorado County’s Tahoe Planning and Stormwater Division Brendan Ferry.

The funds will be applied over several years to deliver: n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

• An equity and climate assessment that will examine the impact of existing policies on affordability, access to opportunity and impacts related to climate change such as greenhouse gas emissions and the region’s ability to respond to climaterelated events.

• A community engagement plan to establish long-term, two-way engagement between communities and agencies with a particular focus on disadvantaged and historically underserved communities.

• An update of the regional growth management and development rights systems.

• A streamlined environmental review process for transit-oriented, multi-family developments that meet water quality and other environmental goals.

• Environmental analysis of proposed updates to the regional plan.

The smaller grant will help the agency move forward on priority housing actions identified by a special working group of the TPRA Governing Board members, local government and non-profit partners, real estate professionals, and affordable housing experts.

The Tahoe Living Working Group prioritized amendments to certain building standards to make it more financially feasible for private property owners and builders to construct deed-restricted workforce housing for multiple income levels.

Funds are also available for outreach and engagement and creation of tools to help the public use the new codes if approved.

The grant funds will be used to advance the feasibility of constructing multi-family rental units, like duplexes and apartments, in and around town centers.

Amendments to the regional code of ordinances currently under review could increase regional opportunities for building height, density and land coverage if a project is permanently restricted to more affordable rates. For more information visit trpa.gov/ housing.

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis n TODAy

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Because each individual is unique, the chemistry between people is unpredictable. You never can tell how energy will combine until everyone is in the same room. Throw the theories out the window and go for a real-life experience.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s no digital bandit that can steal your time today because you’re too busy doing something in the real world to let imposing distractions win. All detours will be of your own choosing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s an art to seizing the day. It’s all in the grip — strong enough to hang on, but not so strong it constricts the spontaneous flow of movement. You have just the right touch.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Circumstances that seem fixed offer hidden options. Don’t accept what’s presented. Get creative. Poke around. Be bold. The alternatives are there for those who decide to find them. You always have choices.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Passionate energy is fueling a chase, though it’s more strategic than fast. All the thrill will be in the approach. Once the prize is attained, the excitement will be over, so take your time and enjoy the unfolding.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You may be drawn to someone older. This has to do with your love of learning and your need to grow in a certain area. A guide with experience will usher you just where you want to go.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Most things about relationships are about as wonderful (or annoying) as you allow them to be. Seemingly accidental happenings shimmer with a glittery dusting of hope. Love feels destined.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Here comes a challenge. You’re in just the mood to accept. You may even raise the stakes to make things more interesting. In the end, this isn’t about who wins the game, rather it’s about how you play.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have no desire to show people how awesome you are because you would much rather reveal to people how awesome they are. You will shine a light on others and they will bask in your warmth.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Spread your attention around today. If you place too much expectation on one person or subject, life falls out of balance. It’s not the worst thing to tumble in this way, but it’s also not particularly productive.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Hug fear while it’s real. Listen to its voice — not because it’s accurate or true but because it wants to be heard. After it’s had its say, the charge will disperse and fear will dissipate like mist.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you knew the rest of the week would bring about the same vibe as today, what would you change? Instead of fantasizing about a different circumstance, you’ll actively shift and elevate the current vibe.