Scenic Quality Ratings for Roadway Travel Units (Scenic Resources)
The scenic quality rating for a roadway travel unit is a distinct score for individual views or specific features of the landscape. 'Scenic resources', as they are called, are seen from a specific location within a roadway travel unit. Tracking these changes is important because it provides a measure of how changes in land use and development over time affect these resources. The primary drivers affecting scenic quality in the Tahoe Region are land use, land and resource management activities, and the visual/aesthetic characteristics of human-made development. The TRPA Code of Ordinances specifies minimum design standards and guidelines for new development and redevelopment projects. Area plans and community plans provide specific design standards and guidelines applicable to local areas. The Scenic Quality Improvement Program, which was adopted by TRPA in 1989, identifies a host of projects that are necessary to improve scenic conditions. Every four years, a team of professionals examines and evaluates the quality of scenic resources along major roadways.
Status
Average Scenic Quality Rating Scores by Year for Roadway Travel Units (Scenic Resources)
Evaluation Map
Roadway travel units 2019 attainment status and roadway scenic resources. Zoom in on the map and click on the scenic resource points to view photos of individual scenic resources.
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- At or Somewhat Better Than Target
- Trend
- Little or No Change
- Confidence
- High
Applicable Standard
Maintain or improve the numerical rating assigned each unit, including the scenic quality rating of the individual resources within each unit, as recorded in the Scenic Resources Inventory and shown in:
SR1) Table 13-3 of the Draft Study Report
SR2) Table 13-5 of the Draft Study Report
SR3) Table 13-8 of the Draft Study Report
SR4) Table 13-9 of the Draft Study Report
Key Points
- Overall, the views of 98% of scenic resources (203 out of 208) have been maintained or improved from baseline since adoption.
- The trend is steady with slow improvement. No scores for scenic resources decreased and the Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project increased the visual quality of one scenic resource in 2019 with the addition of public art and landscaping within the center of a recently completed roadway roundabout.
- Extensive parking along the side of scenic roadways threatens the scores for 34 scenic resources. Examples include excessive roadside parking along Emerald Bay, State Route 28 along the east shore of Lake Tahoe, and roadways near Zephyr Cove and Round Hill beaches.
Delivering and Measuring Success
Example EIP Projects
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Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project
Substantial reconstruction of the roadway through Kings Beach along with sidewalks, landscaping, and installation of public art in a roundabout helped bring a roadway resource into attainment in 2019.
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Liberty Utilities Pioneer Trail Undergrounding- Black Bart to Washoan.
Undergrounding of utility lines along a scenic corridor.
Local and Regional Plans
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Scenic Quality Improvement Program
The program is a comprehensive strategy for improving the overall quality of the built environment and attaining and maintaining the scenic quality goals of the Tahoe Region.