Note: The online Request to Speak window has expired.
The online Comment window has expired
Agenda Item
14. Introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Washoe County Code Chapter 110 (Development Code), Article 220 (Tahoe Area), Section 110.220.275 (Wood Creek Regulatory Zone) to add "Schools - Kindergarten through Secondary" use type as a permitted use, subject to a special use permit, on those parcels in size equal to, or greater than, three-acres within the Tahoe - Wood Creek Regulatory Zone; and all matters necessarily connected therewith and pertaining thereto.
If supported, set the public hearing for second reading and possible adoption of the Ordinance for February 20, 2024. Community Services. (All Commission Districts.) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
As an Incline Village resident and mother of 3 children, I support the amendments necessary to permit the schools at Village Church and St Clare’s to expand and grow. I believe that parents, families, and thus communities at large, benefit greatly from increased educational choices, especially as it pertains to spiritual growth and development. My eldest daughter has had the privilege of attending the Village Christian Academy this past year at age 4, which she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore in the public education model. Her growth has been remarkable, and the partnership with the school and church leadership has contributed significantly. With so many parents and families already choosing alternative education for their children, it only makes sense to support the further development of these opportunities in our own town.
Hello, my name is Theresa Johnston and I am a resident of Truckee, CA.
My husband and I are members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Incline Village. Two of our granddaughters, ages 5 and 3, are students at St. Clare’s Montessori School, located at the church since fall of 2022.
We sincerely hope that Washoe County planners and the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority will pass the necessary amendments allowing this precious new school to continue operating at St. Francis church. Saint Clare’s is the only Catholic school serving families in the North Tahoe Area. Yet its Montessori program is so academically sound, and the staff so loving and family-oriented, that non-Catholic are enrolling there as well.
When I heard that some neighbors were voicing concerns about the new school’s location at St. Francis, it gave me a sense of deja vu. Years ago my husband and I owned a house that was next door to a synagogue. The congregation wanted to expand its Hebrew school, among other things, and at public hearings on the matter, neighbors voiced the usual concerns about parking, congestion at pickup and drop-off times, and after-school events. My husband and I are not Jewish, but we respected the congregation’s desire and right to open an academically sound school where parents and teachers could pass on Jewish culture, celebrate the holy days, and give their children a strong moral compass to help them through troubled times.
To make a long story short, we and our neighbors worked with the synagogue. We talked about ways to reduce on-street parking and traffic congestion at pickup and drop-off times, we discussed the hours and frequency of after-school activities, and even suggested the planting of trees and paint schemes to screen new buildings from the neighbors. And you know what? The neighborhood survived. In fact it was better, because young families started moving in again. What had been a graying residential area was graced once more with children.
When it comes to Saint Clare’s, I hope Lake Tahoe’s public agencies and church neighbors will do the same, and work together to give this dear school a permanent home at St. Francis of Assisi. Our entire community will be the better for it.
As a homeowner in the Wood Creek subdivision, a member of St. Francis Church since 1998, a public school teacher, and a mother of four children, I am concerned with the impact St. Clare’s school will have on the church, my neighborhood, and the North Lake Tahoe community.
The director of St. Clare’s has repeatedly said the school does not want to be at St. Francis if they are not wanted, but continues to pursue zoning changes to the neighborhood and other processes needed to keep the school at St. Francis, turning a deaf ear to the concerns of neighbors and parishioners.
My concerns: (1) increase in noise and traffic to neighborhood, (2) effect on Incline Village public schools, (3) the environmental impact of the proposed addition of portable classrooms in the parking lot at St. Francis.
WCSD is seriously considering closing the middle school in Incline Village due to the cost of maintaining a school with declining enrollment. The addition of two Christian schools will add to this decline. As a middle school teacher, I know the loss of this school will be devastating to the community. The middle school plays an important role, especially for the families who can not afford the tuition at the two, soon to be three, private schools in town. Although St. Francis Church is not charging a monthly “rent,” the tuition for St. Clare’s school is almost triple the tuition charged for Catholic schools in Reno. The cost adds to the elitist attitude of some Incline residents by making sure the St. Clare’s families get the education they desire for their children while ignoring the majority of the other families in our community.
Incline Village has a school zone. There is a building across from the current elementary school that is large enough to house St. Clare's. Instead of granting a zoning change, why not direct the project applicants to an area of Incline Village that is designated for a school?
As public officials, you have a responsibility to consider equity for all families. Please recognize the importance of sustaining the public school system when considering any code amendment for private schools in Incline Village.
The Village Church has been an integral part of the Incline Village community for over 50 years. Our Preschool, which has been in existence under church supervision for over 20 years, has been an important resource for working families. We are mindful of the need for childcare and pre-Kindergarten education and have provided an outstanding program for these families. Parents have seen their children thrive. Going forward, we believe providing a faith-based education opportunity beyond Preschool age is vitally important. The church and planned school campus sits on a remarkably isolated parcel with only one part time resident's house remotely close. We have a long driveway to an elevated position far removed from the immediate neighborhood. It is a perfect location for a small school. I am asking for your support of the amendment to the Wood Creek regulatory District - for the children and families of our community.
My wife, five children, and I are residents of Incline Village. We are fortunate to be able to make a home of our beautiful town and area for several reasons but the keystone reason is the existence of a Catholic school to which we can confidently send our kids to learn in an environment informed by our faith. Having this choice and having the school co-located with the Church that is our religious home, is what keeps us in Tahoe and in Incline Village. Simply put, if the school didn't exist here, we would need to leave.
Some people have asked me why the public school isn't the right answer for us. I fully support public schools and the right of all children to high quality education. My tax dollars are a material support, and how I vote is heavily influenced by public educational considerations. But for our family, our religion is at the center of how we engage with the world around us. The freedom and opportunity to choose to send our kids to a school that follows the tradition of our faith is a core consideration when determining where to raise our family. As a parent of kids at St. Clare's, I know that most of the other families feel similarly.
Further, as a member of the Pastoral Council of St. Francis, I strongly support this DCA. It is a core to our belief that we have an obligation to offer an education to the children of our parishioners that is aligned to our faith. Parishioners of St. Francis may choose to use this school for the reasons my wife and I have chosen to send our children to the school. The DCA you are considering would give us the opportunity to continue operating in a way that aligns and fulfills our mission as a religious organization.
I am unable to attend the meeting on Jan. 23 meeting due to work, however, were I there, I would have appreciated the opportunity to stand up in public support of this DCA. The opportunity for Incline to offer school choices to its residents is impactful for the whole community and will be a growing and contributing factor to attracting more full-time residents who desire to make this their permanent home for their young and growing families.
The Village Church has had a very successful pre-school in operation for over 20 years. Recently the wait list has skyrocketed and is now over 80 children. Many of these parents would like to continue sending their children to a faith-based school, but except for St. Clare's (Roman Catholic) there are none on the north shore of Tahoe. A Christian (Presbyterian) grade school will meet the needs of these parents, including many who now homeschool their children. We have no issues with noise, since we have only one neighbor down the hill and no traffic issues, since both McCourry St. and Mt. Rose highway are high traffic The increase in visits by the 40 students we are contemplating will be incremental. We have emptied the West Wing of the church building to prepare for the school, and the four rooms to be dedicated to the school are all well maintained, completely up to code, spacious and well lit. We have registered the school as a church school with the Nevada Department of Education and have obtained a Temporary Use Permit for the upcoming school year. The congregation is completely supportive and has provided more than ample funds to start the school at a very high level of quality. In addition many church members volunteer their time to assist with reading, science and enrichment activities. The safety record of the preschool has been exemplary and we would expect no less from our grade school. In sum, the school is a desired addition to the community. There are no alternate sites in Incline Village to provide a home for the school that are not prohibitively expensive. And most parents find comfort in having the school at the same church where they worship on Sunday. I see many advantages and no substantive downsides to this rezoning proposal.
For the last year and a half my husband and I searched high and low to find a school that was the right fit for our 5-year-old and 3-year-old. It’s one of the most important decisions we make for our children as it sets the tone and the course of their lives for the next 13 of their most formidable years.
We toured all around Incline and even considered options in Reno, but driving 40 minutes to an hour every day isn't a safe option for us, especially in the winter. We were looking for a school that was different and felt more like a family who shared the same values that we wanted to instill in our kids but nothing really stuck and we were considering continuing to home-school. Then we heard about St. Clare's from a young girl whom we met at the pool and who attends St. Clare's. She was so sweet and excited to talk about her school and was well-spoken and polite. We immediately set up a tour, after which we knew it was exactly where we wanted to send our kids, it was everything we were looking for and then some. Our kids love being there, they love their teachers and new friends, they wave hi to the school every time we drive by and even talk about how they miss their school on the weekends. It's only been a few months since they've started and they're already learning and growing so much with their classmates. They are excited to tell us about the things they learned and did when they get home and we can see the brightness in their eyes which makes us feel so proud and happy that they are enjoying their learning journey.
School choice is important and St. Clare’s provides an option that Incline needs. Our future lies in our children and St. Clare's is an essential part of their development to become strong, confident, independent, critical-thinking, good-hearted, community-facing members and leaders of our society. Let us continue to build these values by allowing St. Clare's to continue their pursuit of creating a stronger educational foundation for our children and providing another choice in how they learn.
Thank you for the time you took to read this and for your consideration.
As an Incline Village resident and mother of 3 children, I support the amendments necessary to permit the schools at Village Church and St Clare’s to expand and grow. I believe that parents, families, and thus communities at large, benefit greatly from increased educational choices, especially as it pertains to spiritual growth and development. My eldest daughter has had the privilege of attending the Village Christian Academy this past year at age 4, which she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore in the public education model. Her growth has been remarkable, and the partnership with the school and church leadership has contributed significantly. With so many parents and families already choosing alternative education for their children, it only makes sense to support the further development of these opportunities in our own town.
Hello, my name is Theresa Johnston and I am a resident of Truckee, CA.
My husband and I are members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Incline Village. Two of our granddaughters, ages 5 and 3, are students at St. Clare’s Montessori School, located at the church since fall of 2022.
We sincerely hope that Washoe County planners and the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority will pass the necessary amendments allowing this precious new school to continue operating at St. Francis church. Saint Clare’s is the only Catholic school serving families in the North Tahoe Area. Yet its Montessori program is so academically sound, and the staff so loving and family-oriented, that non-Catholic are enrolling there as well.
When I heard that some neighbors were voicing concerns about the new school’s location at St. Francis, it gave me a sense of deja vu. Years ago my husband and I owned a house that was next door to a synagogue. The congregation wanted to expand its Hebrew school, among other things, and at public hearings on the matter, neighbors voiced the usual concerns about parking, congestion at pickup and drop-off times, and after-school events. My husband and I are not Jewish, but we respected the congregation’s desire and right to open an academically sound school where parents and teachers could pass on Jewish culture, celebrate the holy days, and give their children a strong moral compass to help them through troubled times.
To make a long story short, we and our neighbors worked with the synagogue. We talked about ways to reduce on-street parking and traffic congestion at pickup and drop-off times, we discussed the hours and frequency of after-school activities, and even suggested the planting of trees and paint schemes to screen new buildings from the neighbors. And you know what? The neighborhood survived. In fact it was better, because young families started moving in again. What had been a graying residential area was graced once more with children.
When it comes to Saint Clare’s, I hope Lake Tahoe’s public agencies and church neighbors will do the same, and work together to give this dear school a permanent home at St. Francis of Assisi. Our entire community will be the better for it.
As a homeowner in the Wood Creek subdivision, a member of St. Francis Church since 1998, a public school teacher, and a mother of four children, I am concerned with the impact St. Clare’s school will have on the church, my neighborhood, and the North Lake Tahoe community.
The director of St. Clare’s has repeatedly said the school does not want to be at St. Francis if they are not wanted, but continues to pursue zoning changes to the neighborhood and other processes needed to keep the school at St. Francis, turning a deaf ear to the concerns of neighbors and parishioners.
My concerns: (1) increase in noise and traffic to neighborhood, (2) effect on Incline Village public schools, (3) the environmental impact of the proposed addition of portable classrooms in the parking lot at St. Francis.
WCSD is seriously considering closing the middle school in Incline Village due to the cost of maintaining a school with declining enrollment. The addition of two Christian schools will add to this decline. As a middle school teacher, I know the loss of this school will be devastating to the community. The middle school plays an important role, especially for the families who can not afford the tuition at the two, soon to be three, private schools in town. Although St. Francis Church is not charging a monthly “rent,” the tuition for St. Clare’s school is almost triple the tuition charged for Catholic schools in Reno. The cost adds to the elitist attitude of some Incline residents by making sure the St. Clare’s families get the education they desire for their children while ignoring the majority of the other families in our community.
Incline Village has a school zone. There is a building across from the current elementary school that is large enough to house St. Clare's. Instead of granting a zoning change, why not direct the project applicants to an area of Incline Village that is designated for a school?
As public officials, you have a responsibility to consider equity for all families. Please recognize the importance of sustaining the public school system when considering any code amendment for private schools in Incline Village.
Thank you for your time.
Teresa Eppolito
Incline Village, NV 89451
The Village Church has been an integral part of the Incline Village community for over 50 years. Our Preschool, which has been in existence under church supervision for over 20 years, has been an important resource for working families. We are mindful of the need for childcare and pre-Kindergarten education and have provided an outstanding program for these families. Parents have seen their children thrive. Going forward, we believe providing a faith-based education opportunity beyond Preschool age is vitally important. The church and planned school campus sits on a remarkably isolated parcel with only one part time resident's house remotely close. We have a long driveway to an elevated position far removed from the immediate neighborhood. It is a perfect location for a small school. I am asking for your support of the amendment to the Wood Creek regulatory District - for the children and families of our community.
Dear Washoe County Commissioners,
My wife, five children, and I are residents of Incline Village. We are fortunate to be able to make a home of our beautiful town and area for several reasons but the keystone reason is the existence of a Catholic school to which we can confidently send our kids to learn in an environment informed by our faith. Having this choice and having the school co-located with the Church that is our religious home, is what keeps us in Tahoe and in Incline Village. Simply put, if the school didn't exist here, we would need to leave.
Some people have asked me why the public school isn't the right answer for us. I fully support public schools and the right of all children to high quality education. My tax dollars are a material support, and how I vote is heavily influenced by public educational considerations. But for our family, our religion is at the center of how we engage with the world around us. The freedom and opportunity to choose to send our kids to a school that follows the tradition of our faith is a core consideration when determining where to raise our family. As a parent of kids at St. Clare's, I know that most of the other families feel similarly.
Further, as a member of the Pastoral Council of St. Francis, I strongly support this DCA. It is a core to our belief that we have an obligation to offer an education to the children of our parishioners that is aligned to our faith. Parishioners of St. Francis may choose to use this school for the reasons my wife and I have chosen to send our children to the school. The DCA you are considering would give us the opportunity to continue operating in a way that aligns and fulfills our mission as a religious organization.
I am unable to attend the meeting on Jan. 23 meeting due to work, however, were I there, I would have appreciated the opportunity to stand up in public support of this DCA. The opportunity for Incline to offer school choices to its residents is impactful for the whole community and will be a growing and contributing factor to attracting more full-time residents who desire to make this their permanent home for their young and growing families.
Sincerely,
Tony Schweiss
The Village Church has had a very successful pre-school in operation for over 20 years. Recently the wait list has skyrocketed and is now over 80 children. Many of these parents would like to continue sending their children to a faith-based school, but except for St. Clare's (Roman Catholic) there are none on the north shore of Tahoe. A Christian (Presbyterian) grade school will meet the needs of these parents, including many who now homeschool their children. We have no issues with noise, since we have only one neighbor down the hill and no traffic issues, since both McCourry St. and Mt. Rose highway are high traffic The increase in visits by the 40 students we are contemplating will be incremental. We have emptied the West Wing of the church building to prepare for the school, and the four rooms to be dedicated to the school are all well maintained, completely up to code, spacious and well lit. We have registered the school as a church school with the Nevada Department of Education and have obtained a Temporary Use Permit for the upcoming school year. The congregation is completely supportive and has provided more than ample funds to start the school at a very high level of quality. In addition many church members volunteer their time to assist with reading, science and enrichment activities. The safety record of the preschool has been exemplary and we would expect no less from our grade school. In sum, the school is a desired addition to the community. There are no alternate sites in Incline Village to provide a home for the school that are not prohibitively expensive. And most parents find comfort in having the school at the same church where they worship on Sunday. I see many advantages and no substantive downsides to this rezoning proposal.
To whom it may concern,
For the last year and a half my husband and I searched high and low to find a school that was the right fit for our 5-year-old and 3-year-old. It’s one of the most important decisions we make for our children as it sets the tone and the course of their lives for the next 13 of their most formidable years.
We toured all around Incline and even considered options in Reno, but driving 40 minutes to an hour every day isn't a safe option for us, especially in the winter. We were looking for a school that was different and felt more like a family who shared the same values that we wanted to instill in our kids but nothing really stuck and we were considering continuing to home-school. Then we heard about St. Clare's from a young girl whom we met at the pool and who attends St. Clare's. She was so sweet and excited to talk about her school and was well-spoken and polite. We immediately set up a tour, after which we knew it was exactly where we wanted to send our kids, it was everything we were looking for and then some. Our kids love being there, they love their teachers and new friends, they wave hi to the school every time we drive by and even talk about how they miss their school on the weekends. It's only been a few months since they've started and they're already learning and growing so much with their classmates. They are excited to tell us about the things they learned and did when they get home and we can see the brightness in their eyes which makes us feel so proud and happy that they are enjoying their learning journey.
School choice is important and St. Clare’s provides an option that Incline needs. Our future lies in our children and St. Clare's is an essential part of their development to become strong, confident, independent, critical-thinking, good-hearted, community-facing members and leaders of our society. Let us continue to build these values by allowing St. Clare's to continue their pursuit of creating a stronger educational foundation for our children and providing another choice in how they learn.
Thank you for the time you took to read this and for your consideration.