As you can probably tell, there will be many changes and adaptations along the way before we reach the final version of the project. I’ve only shared four construction updates so far, and each one has included changes—some of them significant. That’s simply part of the natural evolution of a project. You try something, step away, and by the next day you’ve often come up with something better… or bigger… or more expensive (unfortunately).

We had our first pass with the County today, and nothing raised any immediate concerns. There were a few questions and comments, all of which were addressed in our favor. That said, it’s still early in the approval process, and I’m certain there will be a few “gotchas” to work through as we move forward.

The overall footprint of the project is pretty much set, and the unit depths are largely finalized as well. The unit widths, however, are another story—we’re actively working through those now. The challenge is figuring out which unit sizes are most likely to be combined.

For example, if we have two 15-foot-wide garages side by side, will clients want to combine them into a 30-foot space? The same question applies to two 20-foot units—does a 40-foot garage make sense? Or perhaps a mix, like a 15-foot and a 20-foot unit combined. Confused? Yeah… me too.

The good news is that you’ll ultimately have flexibility. Because the interior walls are non-load-bearing, we can add or remove dividing walls as needed, allowing you to configure a space that fits your exact needs.

That's all for now. Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

Headed to Major Projects, Design Review with Douglas County

This is where the project starts to feel real. The toughest part is planning and getting approvals—the actual building is the easy part. And right now, we’re in that planning phase.

A lot of you have asked about garage sizes and locations. The site plan is still a bit general at this stage, and that’s intentional. The goal is to keep things flexible while we finalize details.

We’re planning garage depths of 50', 60', and 65', with widths starting at 15' and expanding based on what you need. Because we’re building the garages ourselves, interior walls won’t be load-bearing, so layouts can be adjusted to fit your setup.

Most garage doors will span nearly the full width, giving you plenty of room to maneuver RVs, boats, or fifth wheels. Door heights are expected to be 14' clear.

Moving Forward with Site Engineering

It May Look Like Spaghetti… But It All Means Something

What you’re looking at above is the site plan for MonSTORE Garages – Tahoe. The blue area represents Phase One, while the green area shows Phase Two. The wide gray section running through the center is the main driveway—an impressive 71 feet across, designed for easy access and maneuverability.

And yes—we know it looks a little like spaghetti right now. Below, you’ll find a cleaner version that makes everything much easier to digest.

The overall footprint of the project is essentially set in stone (pun intended), but we’re still fine-tuning the building sizes. There’s an old saying in the automotive world: “There’s a butt for every seat.” In our world, we don’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect fit—we need to build garages that meet real demand, right out of the gate.

That’s why we’re carefully balancing unit sizes to appeal to collectors, RV owners, and enthusiasts alike—making sure there’s something that works for everyone.

The entrance will be directly off Starbucks Way—so if you smell coffee, you’re close. The property will be fully guard-gated, with 24-hour owner access for convenience and security.

Near the entrance, we’re planning a clubhouse with a second story that could serve as either a live-in manager’s residence or an elevated lounge/game room for owners.

All of this is part of our pre-construction submittal to Douglas County. By locking in the major elements now while keeping flexibility where it matters, we can streamline the permitting process—without having to redo technical drawings or make our engineers lose sleep.

What a Welcome Relief! SNOW!

Milestones Acheived

What a welcome relief—snow has finally fallen in Minden, transforming the town into a winter postcard. Most everyone is soaking in the change of scenery and the fresh mountain air. Well… almost everyone. The construction crews might not be celebrating quite as loudly, since a little white stuff can mean a slight delay in the schedule. But let’s be honest—there’s a good chance a few of them have traded their hard hats for helmets and are up the hill at Tahoe carving a few turns while the snow lasts.

New construction always comes with its share of challenges—some legal, some bureaucratic, and occasionally a few that make you scratch your head. That’s just part of building something new and different. The good news? Our experience working with Douglas County has been a positive one. They’ve been professional, approachable, and open to adapting to this unique type of construction. Having a team on the county side that’s willing to collaborate makes all the difference. Sure, we’ve had a few moments that kept us on our toes—and maybe biting our fingernails briefly—but each hurdle has only strengthened the project. Every challenge met is another step forward, and we’re excited about the steady progress being made.

The HOA for the business park, as it turns out, was dissolved some time ago. That made any request for variances a bit tricky. The good news? We found a smart workaround and kept things moving forward.

Water and sewer connection fees were initially an unknown, since the posted fees applied to residential uses — not Garage Condos. After working closely with the County and explaining our actual use (with minimal water consumption and sewer outflow), they understood the distinction. As a result, the connection fees reflect that reality.

And for those of you who completed our survey a few months ago (hope you’re enjoying the T-shirts!), you made it loud and clear that water and sewer — especially toilets — were high on the wish list. We listened… and we’re delivering.

Today we received the completed traffic study — and the results couldn’t be better. The study concluded that our project will have no negative impact on traffic in the area. That’s a significant milestone and another strong validation of the thoughtful planning behind this development. Step by step, the pieces are falling into place.

I will be posting a new Site Plan that is a bit cleaner and easier to view. You can find the new siteplan with new garage sizes and easier access to the corner units. SITEPLAN HERE

In the Beginning, There Was Dirt, (and Weeds)

Location, location, location - Caffeine Overload

This is not the exact location of the property. The actual property is just around the corner. We have 3 acres across for the Starbucks roasting factory. You can take a deep breath and get a caffeine hit pretty much any time of the night or day. The Starbucks factory is pretty much one of the anchor properties for all of Minden and most of the Carson Valley. You would have never dreamed there was so much coffee in one place.

Minden/Tahoe Airport

We are in the Carson Valley Business Park, at the far end of the runway at the Minden/Tahoe Airport. We don't have an address yet, but you can find it by getting the driving directions HERE or just follow your nose to the roasting factory.

Don't expect much, since we are still in the very early planning stages, (doing lots of paperwork, Ugg!)

We are working with Douglas County for all of our permits. So far, they have been great to work with. Our engineering, architecture, general contractor, and project managers are all working to put all the pieces together. Naturally, we run into wrinkles now and then, but fortunately, none of them have been unsurmountable.

Why Minden of all places?

Minden, while may not have been the first choice for many people, but it is unique in its proximity to Lake Tahoe (Just up the hill). Further, the views are incredible, and the area seems fairly developer friendly. The RV and /or car collector market is underserved, and frankly it has been pretty much ignored. We feel this area will support a high end, Garage Condominium project to serve the "High Value" vehicle market.