John Singlaub leaves TRPA

unedited 2/09 Tahoe Mt. News

By Kathryn Reed

Compromise. John Singlaub strove to achieve it without a great deal of success.
On Feb. 28 Singlaub steps down as executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, a job he was hired to do in October 2003.
Like those who have had the position before him, he found it difficult to build consensus. He found it hard for people to give and not just take.
“I try to reach what I call ‘the radical middle ground.’ That is not always shared by the folks here. That stumped me in a lot of ways,” Singlaub said. “I’m disappointed we couldn’t always find the middle ground.
“The part that is frustrating for me is not being able to convince the environmental community that redevelopment and environmental improvements paid for by the private sector is best for the Lake. When I say that, they paint me as pro development.”
Still, he leaves knowing in his tenure he was able to implement practices that affect the average person. He helped streamline the permitting process for homeowners. Improving customer service was a goal from the get-go.
However, even though the agency is trying to create a better image for itself in the basin, residents continue to feel constricted by many of its rules.
Under his leadership shorezone regulations were approved by the Governing Board. He said being sued by both sides “tells me we are probably right on target.”
Singlaub admits to being taken aback by the venom spewed at him personally and at TRPA following the June 2007 Angora Fire. At community meetings he was jeered off the stage, unable to get one sentence out without being interrupted.
“Initially, I was surprised at the reaction by a lot of folks and the real fundamental lack of understanding about what our rules were before the fire and having to turn that around,” Singlaub said.
Misinformation about pine needles as erosion control protection persisted. Defensible space became an issue. TRPA was blamed for things it had nothing to do with.
Singlaub is more than satisfied with his department’s attitude toward and ability to help people rebuild in the burn area.
When he started at TRPA he thought it would be easy to get Pathways 2007 approved and implemented. Now the 20-year blueprint for the future doesn’t have a year associated with it even though it’s expected to be adopted next year. The draft EIS should come out this summer.
“It won’t be everything I thought it could be,” Singlaub said of the document. “(Stakeholders) wanted to be sure it was clear we had polarized agendas at Lake Tahoe. That surprised me because I think we are much closer than people want to admit.”
In his five plus years on the job, only two of the 15 board members he started with remain – Shelly Aldean and Stuart Yount. And with Yount a George W. Bush appointee, he is likely to be replaced.
Tim Leslie, former California assemblyman representing Tahoe and the state’s TRPA board rep, resigned Jan. 21, two days before Singlaub did.
Leslie in his resignation to Singlaub said, “You have a difficult job. The problem with it is that whenever we make a decision, someone wants to sue us. It is bringing progress at the Lake to a standstill.”
Singlaub praises the various board members he has worked with and their commitment to the ideals set forth in the Compact.
Singlaub acknowledges the agency will have to keep tightening its belt. The week he resigned four full-time employees were laid off and three others voluntarily took buyouts.
With the Nevada Legislature back in session this month, that body will have to make some tough cuts. Gov. Jim Gibbons is proposing to significantly reduce the state’s allocation to TRPA, though other state agencies are in the same boat.
Looking at his own finances, Singlaub says it’s a bit daunting know he’ll be unemployed in a matter of weeks. He isn’t sure what he’ll do next. He wants to continue living in Zephyr Cove. He’ll spend time kayaking and skiing in the back country.
He’s done having high stress jobs. Project management or consulting may be in his future.
“The job takes its toll and certainly going through a divorce was challenging. It’s just the course your life takes after you made plans to do something else,” Singlaub said. “Honestly, I’m just expecting the universe will work things out for me.”