Placer to support grant application for workforce housing development in Martis Valley

Published on January 10, 2018

Continuing its efforts to address the lack of workforce housing and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North Lake Tahoe, the Placer County Board of Supervisors today voted to support a grant application to help fund the Schaffer’s Mill workforce housing project located in Martis Valley.

The proposed Schaffer’s Mill workforce housing project would build a 56-unit apartment housing complex as part of the Schaffer’s Mill subdivision.

The board’s action allows the county to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the project’s developer, Neighborhood Partners LLC, which is applying for $16.6 million in grant funding from the State of California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program.

The program helps fund projects that support affordable housing and infrastructure programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the agreement the county will use $3.5 million of the funding to purchase four electric-powered buses to help expand transit services on Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit routes - helping to increase connectivity to the Martis Valley community - including the necessary electric vehicle-charging and maintenance infrastructure.

Other mobility improvements would also be funded, with $726,000 earmarked to build a portion of the Martis Valley multi-purpose trail, and $1.5 million for transit and pedestrian facilities in Truckee, pending agreement by its council on Jan. 11.The balance would be used to provide gap financing for construction of the housing project.

While the transit and trail system components are already approved, they would be developed more quickly should the grant be approved and free up funds for other projects.

“This really affirms Placer County’s commitment to pushing these workforce housing projects forward,” said District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery.

Montgomery also noted that the project site promises more walkability with a new grocery store and other facilities planned in nearby Truckee.

The proposed project includes 14 one-bedroom units, 28 two-bedroom units and 14 three- bedroom units. It would also include a community building with a meeting room, staff offices, computer area, restrooms, outdoor patio and a small playground for young children.

Additionally, the buildings would have rooftop solar panels to achieve zero-net-energy usage.