Category: Architecutural Design Trends for Mountain Homes

Real Estate Investors Find New TRPA ADU Program A Big Benefit

Looking for new and creative ways to invest in real estate? This is a concept that is worth reviewing.

Throughout the past few years,and last year in particular, the Lake Tahoe Basin has experienced tremendous growth of full-time residents. For local business owners, one would think that is a good trend. The other side of the story is the fact that a lot of the affordable housing that used to be good rentals for the workforce are now home to our new residents.

Realizing the crunch and need for more affordable options, and to help those businesses retain good employees, the Tahoe Regional Transportation agency has just released a new incentive program to entice investors to remodel their homes in Lake Tahoe or build new affordable housing.

At our architecture firm in Washoe County, based in Incline Village, NV, we applaud the TRPA for stepping up and offering incentives for those who are interested in supporting this new Accessory Dwelling Unit incentive.

For those not a familiar with ADUs, they are usually is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs go by many different names throughout the U.S., including accessory apartments, secondary suites, and granny flats.

Those who are interested in investing in real estate within the Lake Tahoe Basin may want to consider this program.

The official press announcement from the TRPA follows. And if you have any questions about how to get started to remodel your home to accommodate an ADU, or purchase existing real estate or land to build ADU’s, feel free to contact us at Borelli Architecture in Lake Tahoe, NV.

New TRPA Incentive A Bonus for Real Estate Investors

[Story courtesy of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency]

Updated rules to encourage more affordable housing options for Tahoe residents and workers have been unanimously approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board, the agency said today.

The approval significantly expands the number of properties in the Tahoe Basin that can add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and provides further incentives if the ADU is restricted to affordable rates and located near transit or a town center, which reduces vehicle use. Now in most of the region, single-family residential parcels of any size can apply to add or create an ADU, among other changes. The previous rule only allowed ADUs on parcels of 1-acre or more. The amendments maintain the 1-acre size limit in the Washoe and Douglas county portions of the basin, which is consistent with local jurisdiction rules.

Under the new regional rules and under California state law, new ADUs can only be rented for 30 days or more, which addresses concerns that new home apartments or mother-in-law units could be used for short-term rentals. Around the nation, accessory dwelling units are being encouraged as one solution to increasing the supply of workforce housing.

“Lake Tahoe’s sustainability relies on a healthy environment and strong communities and the housing crisis is hurting everyone,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “These amendments are an important part of a larger, collaborative initiative to solve housing problems in the Lake Tahoe Region. This is a good first step and we will continue to partner with local jurisdictions and housing partners to meet local and regional housing needs.”

Other amendments approved by the TRPA Board allow motel units being redeveloped to change from tourist accommodation use to residential use. Currently, in some cases, this type of redevelopment is limited to tourist accommodation only.

These initial amendments were developed with input from the Tahoe Living Workforce Housing and Community Revitalization Working Group, an advisory group of non-profit, social service, environmental, real estate and local government representatives. The working group will continue to develop recommendations that further incentivize affordable and workforce units.

The new rules take effect 60 days after the July 29^th approval and the application process is under development. More information is available at trpa.gov/adus/.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer, at (775) 589-5278 or jcowen@trpa.gov.

We look forward to assisting you with any needs/interest you may have in our architectural design services in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Carson City, NV.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

How to Get Trees Removed from Your Property in Tahoe

Within our last blog we provided you with details on how to prepare your home for wildfire season. Within a week’s time, we received calls at our architecture firm in Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe as to how to get trees removed from property. So we did a little research. The following information was gleaned from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency website – to which we will give full credit for the content. In addition to the details below, there is lots of information on their site to help you be a good steward of the land.

When it comes to securing a permit to build your home, or other environmental requirements that are mandated with the Tahoe Basin, our team at Borelli Architect firm in Lake Tahoe and Carson City provides that service to you. For a complete list of the benefits that come with working with our team, click into our website right here.

In the meantime, here are the specifics as to how to get trees removed from your property with the Basin.

When is a tree removal permit needed?

Tree Size

A permit is required to remove live trees greater than 14 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) as long as the house is not along the lakeshore.

If the house is along the lakeshore, a permit is required to remove trees greater than 6 inches DBH between the house and the lake. Trees not between the house and the lake only need a tree removal permit if they are live trees greater than 14 inches DBH.

Trees of any size that were planted or retained as part of a permit, or that are in a Stream Environment Zone or backshore area, require a permit for removal. The backshore area is the sensitive area adjacent to the Lake.

Dead Trees

Removal of a dead tree that could fall on a house does not require a permit. A conifer is considered to be dead when it doesn’t have any green needles. A deciduous tree must be determined to be dead by a qualified forester. To remove a dead tree that isn’t near a house, contact a TRPA forester to determine if a permit is required.

Substantial Trimming

A permit is required for removal of branches from the upper 2/3 of the total height of the tree, unless the branch:

Is within 10 feet of a chimney outlet, building or deck
Is rubbing or pulling on utility lines within your property boundary (always consult your power company before removing branches near utility lines)
Is dead

Sensitive Areas

Any manipulation of live vegetation within SEZs or the backshore of Lake Tahoe, including trees and shrubs, requires TRPA review.

Construction Projects

Trees that are permitted for removal as part of a development project do not need a separate tree removal permit.

How to Determine DBH

DBH stands for “diameter at breast height.” Breast height is 4.5 feet off the ground, measured on the uphill side of the tree. Measure around the outside of the tree at breast height to determine the circumference, and then divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter. A tree with a diameter of 14 inches has a circumference of 43.9 inches.

In conclusion, never hesitate to contact our architecture and design firm in Tahoe. We have lived and worked in the Basin for over 30 years and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about mountain home design or the numerous regulations that you need to adhere to when you are ready to build or remodel your home in Lake Tahoe.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Fire Prevention Tips – Living with Fire

With an extremely low snow year behind us, fire prevention and preparation is top of mind for all of us who live in the Tahoe Basin.

In an effort to help us all be prepared, I am sharing a blog from last year that is just as relevant, if not more so, this year.

The following article written by Tia Rancourt, Public Education/Information Officer, for the North Lake Tahoe Fire District. If you would like more information, please contact her directly at 775-813-8106, trancourt@nltfpd.net

WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION – PREPARING FOR FIRE EVACUATION

As we have been experiencing lately, fires started by lightning peak in the summer months and in the late afternoon and early evening. Know what to do to keep you and your family safe when storms strike.

If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Look for shelter inside a home, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle right away.
Do not go under trees for shelter. There is no place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm.
Wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder before leaving your shelter.
Stay away from windows and doors. Stay off porches.
There is no safe place outside. Places with only a roof on sports fields, golf courses, and picnic areas are not safe during a lightning storm. Small sheds should not be used.
If a person is struck by lightning, call 9-1-1. Get medical help right away.

Facts & figures from National Fire Protection Association:

During 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 22,600 fires started by lightning. These fires caused annual averages of
- 9 civilian deaths
- 53 civilian injuries
- $451 million in direct property damage
Fires started by lightning peak in the summer months and in the late afternoon and early evening.
For more information on lightning safety please visit www.nfpa.org.

Please keep in mind that with the drier than normal conditions this summer, it is important to create and maintain defensible space around your home. Visit tahoelivingwithfire.com for more information and “Fight fire with a plan.”

Prepare your family, property, and possessions now before a wildfire starts by creating a plan:

Develop a family evacuation plan
Create and maintain defensible space
Assemble a Go-bag and a disaster supply kit for your home and vehicle
Sign up for emergency notifications for residents and visitors and stay informed
Reduce the threat of wildfire by learning about embers and how to harden your home.

If you plan on water recreation activities on Lake Tahoe, please remember the temperature can be colder than most, as it is an Alpine lake. Whether boating, jet skiing, kayaking, rafting, paddle boarding or swimming, it is important to inform yourself about the colder temperatures and the forecasted weather as it can change very quickly, please visit National Weather Service.

On behalf of our entire team at Borelli Architecture in Incline Village on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, we encourage you to take preventative measures as noted above. Be safe.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Golf, Ski Communities in NV Continues to Thrive

Clear Creek Tahoe Community Illustration

Back in 2018, ago we posted our first news announcement about the west’s newest tax friendly golf and ski community that was underway in Carson City, NV. It’s amazing how time flies … and today our team at Borelli Architecture has several projects underway in this burgeoning resort community.

Within that article we noted its amenities that are are now in full operation and open to Clear Creek Tahoe’s neighbors:

Picture if you will … the mountain setting and impressive amenities that come to those who live in the popular Martis Creek community in Truckee, CA … are now mirrored in the tax-friendly state of Nevada, with a nationally-acclaimed golf course designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, PLUS a private beach house and pier on the edge of Lake Tahoe.

Clear Creek Tahoe Home In Design Stages by Borelli Architecture, Douglas County, Nevada

Today, we are working on several design concepts for our clients who have purchased property on the East side of the Sierra – and a short scenic drive from our architect firm in Incline Village, NV.

All of which are taking full advantage of the pine, mountain, and golf course settings that are all a part of the community’s environment.

The photo above is a sample of what is to come in the Clear Creek neighborhood.

Just a short, scenic drive north is another popular community, St James’ Village, that touts its close proximity to golf and ski resorts.

**St. James Village,** **In Design Stages by Borelli Architecture, Washoe County, Nevada**

This custom single-story residence in the gated community of Saint James Village, south of Reno, Nevada is currently in the design stage and scheduled for construction in the fall of 2021.

It is 4,350 square feet with two 2-car garages and has a large covered outdoor living area that wraps around three sides of the building as well as a detached gazebo structure. The residence has a large kitchen/dining/living area which opens up to the outdoor living spaces and two guest bedroom suites in addition to the spacious master bedroom suite. The design maximizes views of Mount Rose to the west and Washoe Lake to the south.

If you have recently purchase land in the Reno, Carson City, Truckee or Lake Tahoe, and would like to discuss your design ideas, our architect firm in Reno Lake Tahoe is ready to make your vision come true.

Jim Borelli
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com

775 831 3060

Lake Tahoe Transportation Plan Approved

If there is one topic that is always in the news in Truckee and Lake Tahoe, it’s transportation. And with good reason. As the world continues to discover the magnificence of living and working in the High Sierra, we all are more sensitive everyday to this trend’s impact on our environment.

As an architect firm that serves the Tahoe Basin and all the Counties within the High Sierra, we have seen what a few more cars can do on a busy day.

Thankfully, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and their Bi-State Compact Partners have just approved the new Regional Plan. With the TRPA’s website, they offer a variety of excellent information that explains just what this document covers and the inpact it will have on our future.

Their website has a brief overview of that the Plan is in layman’s terms. It notes:

The Regional Plan is a regulatory framework that includes several initiatives and documents. The Plan is meant to be updated every four years, in conjunction with an environmental evaluation report, so that the plan can adapt to changing needs, circumstances and emerging threats. Click on any of the components of the Plan below to find out more about each one.

To give you a quick overview, I have selected some highlights from their website at TRPA.org. Feel free to click in read more of the specifics.

A new way forward for Lake Tahoe was approved in December, 2012 with an update of the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan. The updates encourage greater private-public partnerships and created incentives for property owners to make Lake-saving improvements to their home or business. Use these fact sheets for an overview of the focused updates that went into effect in February, 2013.

The California State Resources Agency submitted a letter to state leaders affirming that the 2012 Regional Plan Update is consistent with the requirements of the Bi-State Tahoe Regional Planning Compact.

The Bi-State Compact requires TRPA to create a Regional Plan to establish a balance, or equilibrium, between the natural environment and the human-made environment. The Plan emphasizes an improvement in the quality of development in the Region and in the quality of the natural environment. The Compact was written and signed by the states of California and Nevada and ratified by the U.S. Congress. The original compact was signed in 1969 and substantially revised in 1980 to give the Agency more regulatory powers and more specific environmental targets, called Thresholds. In 2013, the states initiated the process to revise the Compact again to solidify the new direction.

For more details, follow these links below.

Regional Plan By-The-Numbers

Regional Plan Fact Sheets

Regional Plan Fact Sheet (Spanish)

Making Tahoe Bikeable/Walkable

For over 30 years, our architect firm that serves Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Carson City has been providing our clients with up-to-date information about the region in all capacities.

Whenever you have questions about building codes, county regulations, environmental codes, and more, please contact me at any time. I am always happy to share our insight.

Jim Borelli
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com

775 831 3060

Lake Tahoe’s Real Estate Market Still Breaking Records

As our architecture firm in Incline Village, NV, continues to experience one of our busiest years on record, the real estate marketing throughout Lake Tahoe is echoing the same.

Within a recent Luxury Market Report published by Chase International, the statistics continue to tell the tale of 2020 and how the world seemed to find our piece of paradise, purchase property, and call the High Sierra “Home Sweet Home.”

When you follow this link you can read the entire Lake Tahoe Real Estate Report at your leisure. To save you time, we have captured some of the report’s highlights:

Now that 2020 is in the books, it’s time to take a closer look at how the luxury real estate market is performed in 2020. WOW, is the response! The market has been explosive in Lake Tahoe properties sold over $1 million for a total of 722 units. Leading the way, South Lake Tahoe, CA witnessed a whopping 121% increase in properties over $1 million, followed by West and North Shore which recorded a staggering 113% with East Shore a close 96% increase. Incline Village was up 83%. These numbers are historic because, as of June 2020, the entire market was down across the board. We have not seen such a vigorous market swing in a short period of time in recent history.

Here are some regional stats about real estate sales in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and the greater Reno/Carson City area:

The highest home sale within the entire region sold for $38 million and is located on Lake Tahoe’s East Shore.
The North and West Shores led in lakefront sales with 21 closed transactions in 2020 verses 14 the year before.
In Incline Village, where our architecture firm is based, recorded 16 lakefront properties sold verses just four in 2019.
Over in Truckee, where we have designed a considerable amount of mountain estates, that region recorded 503 properties that sold over $1 million each, with the median price stated at $1,650,000. Remarkable to say in the least. The report also noted that Martis Camp, where we have designed several homes for our clients, continues to be the most affluent community in the Northern Region of the Lake Tahoe/Truckee area.

And, just over the eastern crest of Lake Tahoe, our friends at Clear Creek Tahoe Development were all a part of the Carson City’s astounding real estate sales. The Luxury Report published by Chase International quoted:

“Carson Valley has seen the most tremendous growth in 2020 with a 183% increase of units sold over $1 million. 65 homes in 2020 over a million versus 23 in 2019. The highest priced property sold in the Carson Valley was $12 million with the second at $6,950,000.”

To see all the statistics about how real estate faired over the past year, dive deeper into Chase International’s Spring/Summer Real Estate Report right here.

And for more information about the neighborhoods, home developments in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Carson City, feel free to reach out to Borelli Architecture at any time. We have designed a significant amount of homes in the region and have the personal insight to share with you.

Jim Borelli
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com

775 831 3060

TRPA Unveils Lake Tahoe Restoration Act Plans

Over the years we have continued to keep you up to date on what is new and trending with regard to the environmental policies that come with building or remodeling a home in the Lake Tahoe Basin. As one of the region’s more established architectural firms in Lake Tahoe and Truckee, Borelli Architecture has its pulse on any and all activities underway with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the counties that wrap the Tahoe Basin.

Just this week, the TRPA unveiled its priorities that have been approved and are a part of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Plan for 2022 and beyond.

Within the document on the TRPA.org website it highlights this significant program:

The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2016 authorized up to $415 million over 7 years for the Environmental Improvement Program. The Act requires that the EIP maintain a priority list of projects for the program areas of Forest Health, Aquatic Invasive Species, Watershed Restoration, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and Accountability.

Specifically, here are their top priorities:

Federal Fiscal Year 2022

Forest Health & Fire Protection $40,350,000 ~ Decrease the threat of catastrophic wildfire through forest fuels treatments and upgrades to water infrastructure

Aquatic Invasive Species $7,200,000 ~ Decrease the threat of catastrophic wildfire through forest fuels treatments and upgrades to water infrastructure

Watershed Restoration $48,368,000 ~ Improve water quality with innovative stormwater treatment projects and restoration of rivers and meadows. Transform communities through implementation of multiple-benefit projects

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout $7,720,000 ~ Continue to build a sustainable population of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout in the basin through habitat restoration.

Accountability $2,300,000 ~ Continue to build out the LT INFO online public platform that tracks all EIP funding and accomplishments and incorporate EIP monitoring results

TOTAL $105,938,000

You can see the full report by following this link.

As we have noted before in many of our news reports, in addition to our architectural design services in Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Truckee, we offer an extensive list of services to help our clients navigate through the intricate environmental policies and county building codes. If you ever have any questions about the varied proeceures, please reach out to me at anytime.

Jim Borelli
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com

775 831 3060

Architectural Design Trends for Today’s Work at Home Environment

Living in Lake Tahoe, NV, we have seen a surge of new residents and second home owners deciding that if they need to be at home, they might as well live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

At our architecture firm that designs homes in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Carson City, NV, we have been approached by new clients throughout the West who have purchased land and are ready to build. From the prestigious Gray’s Crossing in Truckee, CA, to one of our favorite ski and golf home developments in Nevada – Clear Creek Tahoe, there are more homes being designed and built than we have seen in many years. And with good reason.

For those of us who have yet to retire, we are all well aware of the new “work, live, play’ lifestyle that has become the norm. And with this new world is a whole new appreciation for our homes which have become the cocoon that wraps around our every day life. So what does today’s ‘work at home’ design look like? Here are some highlights that our team at Borelli Architecture in Incline Village, NV are recommending to our clients who have selected our firm to design their mountain estate and golf course homes in Nevada.

Architectural Design Trends for Today’s “Work at Home” Environment

“Zoom”Room – Never before has the space behind and around our desk been so important. With the world having every opportunity to see what your office looks like, and possibly hearing everything going on in your home, the life in which you live most of your life is wide-open for all to see and hear. With this trend there is a high demand to either design a room or two that insures privacy as well as plenty of space to conduct business, or remodel a home to include a brand new office environment.

“Stay-Cation” Concepts – Earlier in this news piece we referred to the live, work, play world that most of us have become very accustomed to this past year. Now, it’s the norm. As such, our architect firm in North Lake Tahoe is designing elements throughout the home that accent the lifestyle that mirror our clients’ preferences – be it work or play. From expansive kitchens where one can entertain while enjoying their family’s company, to ‘great rooms’ which are truly a great escape. i.e. floor to ceiling windows, large fireplaces and pizza ovens, room for a new Pool Table, and then some.

Outdoor is Always “In” at Lake Tahoe – We couldn’t leave this one out of our list. Most of the home designs throughout the High Sierra accent the benefits that come with buying property and building a home in Truckee and Lake Tahoe. No matter where one builds, Mother Nature is at our beckoning call. Think: sliding glass windows that bring the outdoor in, state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens, mud rooms and large storage areas for all our toys, and down in the valley of Carson City, pools are back and one of the hottest features of 2021.

Romper Room – For Boomers, this term may bring back memories of the morning TV show that we were all glued to while the parents enjoyed some peace and quiet. Today, it’s kind of the same concept yet today’s Romper Room is right home and usually down the hall or above the garage. Within this ‘hide-away’ for the kids, we are seeing all sorts of additions that include a full bath, small kitchen, basketball hoops, padded flooring for gymnastics, comfy couches and large screen TV’s. Within this ‘arena’ is an area that depicts a high tech school room with plenty of technology, exceptional lighting, and comfortably-sized desks and chairs.

And that is just the beginning of the new trends for home design. When you are ready to build your new home, or want to chat with us about remodeling your home, we always appreciate the opportunity to share our design ideas that include the new trends for home design in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond.

Jim Borelli
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com

775 831 3060