Two Important Meetings re: Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVR)
By Frank Gormlie / OB Rag
Residents of the coastal neighborhoods who have been fighting short term vacation rentals (STVRs) are happy right now – relatively speaking – as it appears that the City of San Diego is finally poised to act on them.
One of the key organizations in this fight is Save San Diego Neighborhoods, and they are trying to mobilize their supporters. Two critical meetings, one that took place yesterday — October 25th — and another that will take place on November 1st.
From SSDN website:
On Tuesday, October 25th, the Community Planners Committee (CPC) hosted City Council President Sherri Lightner at their meeting. The CPC met from 7 to 9 pm. at the Metropolitan Op. Ctr. II Auditorium.
According to the CPC memo:
“Council President Lightner is partnering with Councilmember Lorie Zapf and the City Attorney regarding this issue. A report for this item will be released in the back-up material in the City Council agenda available on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.”
The San Diego City Council also will be having a meeting regarding Short Term Vacation Rentals on Tuesday, November 1st at 10 a.m. in Golden Hall, located at 202 C Street, San Diego, CA., 92101.
We anticipate that the next meeting will be very important for our members and anyone who wants to see the enforcement of the current San Diego Municipal Code regarding STVR in residential zones.
We ask you to particularly mark the Nov. 1 City Council hearing on your calendars as one to attend. Keep an eye on OB Rag in anticipation of the Notice of Hearing being published by City.
According to our SSDN contact, John Thickstun:
Although the proposed minor changes to the ordinance are deemed unnecessary to enforcement, the changes are being proposed at the request of Jan Goldsmith “for clarity and to facilitate enforcement.” So whether or not the changes are made, the Code is clear – STVR are Visitor Accommodations and, as such, are not permitted in residential zones.
I’m told the City Attorney’s office is presently prosecuting a violator in Pacific Beach – with more to come. Development Services Department head Bob Vacchi agrees and Code Enforcement is gearing up for vigorous enforcement.
And here’s what future City Attorney Mara Elliott said in a debate with Robert Hickey at La Jolla Town council meeting;
“The Municipal Code is very clear and does not allow short-term vacation rentals (in residential neighborhoods).
The City and its politicians have been very reluctant to touch the issue because there are very strong lobbyists pushing them in one direction, but it is not fair to those whose neighborhoods have been affected and those whose lives have been completely changed because this industry is not regulated. Under my leadership, we will enforce the Municipal Code.
This does not mean short-term rentals wouldn’t be allowed later with fair and reasonable regulations, but this is an issue that has been brewing far too long with no action.”
Here is the Notice of Hearing on STVR/STR on November 1st:
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