Incorporation of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows

A new organization in Squaw Valley, the Squaw Alpine Association, is pursuing the incorporation of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows as a town. Towns incorporate to have local control of land use planning and regulation, and tax revenues. Local control of land use means that a new town would have a planning department, which would write a general plan with input from residents. The initial fiscal analysis has shown that this town would be fiscally viable. In fact, subject to a revenue split with Placer County the town would have a budget surplus. The town could use this budget surplus for improved services: snow removal, roads and other necessary improvements. Jurisdiction over land use passes from a county to a new city or town, including any and all development proposals. Development projects proposed in California must go through a three-stage approval process, and for large or controversial development proposals, the approval process may take two years or longer. Incorporations of cities and towns are overseen by state agencies called Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs), which have an indirect land use planning and regulation authority, and verify the boundaries and fiscal viability of proposed cities and towns. Incorporation is estimated to cost $100,000 and is decided by a simple majority of registered voters on a ballot measure. For more information visit the website, www.squawalpineassoc.org