HomeMy WebLinkAbout6 - ZTA 12-3 (Establishment of New Vacation Rentals)TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
FROM: Greg Hastings, Interim Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 12 -3 REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
NEW VACATION RENTALS
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Hold a public hearing regarding Zone Text Amendment No.12 -3, prohibiting the establishment
of new vacation rentals, and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the same.
BACKGROUND:
Prior to 2010, the City's Zoning Code did not list the business of short-term vacation rentals or
short-term rentals as a permitted use for residentially -zoned property. Thus, under the Code,
such uses were not permitted.
During discussions in connection with the modernization of and amendments to the City's
Zoning Code, it came to the City Council's attention that some property owners were
nevertheless renting residential properties on a short-term basis believing that business
licenses issued in error to them gave them -the right to do so. Such a business license does
not, however, confer any land -use entitlement or provide any vested right to a particular use.
The City Council decided to permit short-term vacation rentals (defined in the Code as rentals
for the duration of 29 days or fewer) as a conditionally permitted use. Thus, when Title 11
went into effect in 2011, a property owner could apply for a conditional use permit ( "CUP ") to
rent a residential unit for a term of 29 days or fewer. In addition, the City Council determined
that property owners who had obtained a business license prior to 2011 and were paying the
City's transient occupancy tax (TOT) for short-term rentals could continue to operate without a
CUP as nonconforming uses.
Earlier this year, the Council reexamined the issue of allowing such businesses in residential
zones. Based upon the adverse negative impacts on neighboring properties associated with
short-term rentals —e.g., noise, accumulation of trash, loitering, unsanitary conditions,
overcrowding, demands on police services, traffic congestion, excessive demand on scarce
parking resources, etc.— the Council adopted Ordinance Nos. 1618 -U (effective for 45 days)
and 1619 -U (See Attachment A), which modified Ordinance No. 1618-U and extended the term
of the interim regulations for 10 months and 15 days.
Ordinance No. 1619-U also amended the interim regulations by limiting vacation rentals to Old
Town and requiring all property owners wanting to rent property on a short-term basis,
including those currently renting their property on a short-term basis, to obtain a CUP. The
Ordinance gave the owners of the previously grandfathered existing vacation rentals until July
6, 2012 to apply for a CUP. The City has received CUP applications from 11 of these owners,
and already approved several. To date, no application has been denied.
Ordinance No. 1619-U also gave the owners of the previously existing vacation rentals that
were nonconforming due to a lack of a CUP, the option of requesting "an exemption from, or
extension of the terms and provisions of this ordinance, in order to amortize the property
owner's investment." On September 10, 2012, the City Council denied three such exemption
requests and directed the applicants to submit CUP applications by October 10, 2012. (Two
other property owners have withdrawn their exemption requests and have informed Staff of
their intent to apply for CUPs.)
At the same meeting at which it considered the requests for exemptions, the City Council
requested the Planning Commission consider whether the City should prohibit the
establishment of any new vacation rentals.
Such a prohibition would prevent the use of any residential property as a vacation rental after
the effective date if it had not previously obtained a CUP. The effective date of the prohibition
would be set by the City Council if and when it approves of the prohibition. Thereafter, all
vacation rentals that have previously obtained a CUP will become legal nonconforming uses
allowed to continue to operate as vacation rentals subject to their conditions of approval, the
operational requirements of Ordinance No. 1619-U, and the general limitations on
nonconforming uses found in Chapter 11.4.40 of the Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the establishment of new
vacation rentals be prohibited through the adoption of Draft Resolution No. 12-32.
SUBMITTED BY:
Greg A. Ha mgs, Interim
Director of Community Development
Attachments:
A. Ordinance No. 1619-U
B. Draft Resolution No. 12-32
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Attachment A
ORDINANCE NUMBER
AN INTERIM ORDINANCE OF THE CITY 0PSEAL BEACH
EXTENDING AND AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 1618
'
IMPOSING |NTEFUK8 REGULATIONS ON NEW AND EXISTING
SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS AND DECLARING THE
D8GENCYTHEREOF
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THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH HEREBY ORDAINS AS
Section 1. Ordinance Number 1618-U. On April 9, 2012, the Seal
Beach City Council adopted Ordinance Number 1618-U, imposing new interim
regulations on now and existing vacation rentals. This Ordinance extends and
amends the interim regulations for new and existing vacation rentals established
by Ordinance Number 1 618-U,
Section 2. Interim Regulations. Notwithstanding any other ordinance nr
provision of the Municipal no property shall be used an avaoaion nmbd
while this Ordinance is effective except as permitted by the interim regulations
set forth in Section 7of this Ordinance.
Section 3. Term. This Ordinance shall expire, and the interim
regulations established hereby shall terminate 10 months and 15 days after the
date of its adoption unless extended bythe City Council at u regularly noticed
public hearing pursuant b California Government Code Section G5858.
Section 4. CEQA Finding. The City Council hereby finds that it can be
seen with certainty that there is no possibility the adoption of this ordinance, and
establishment of the interim regulations thereby, will have a significant effect on
the environment. The ordinance imposes greater limitations on vacation rentals
— in the than the limitations currently required under the Municipal Code, and
will thereby serve to reduce potential significant adverse environmenjal impacts.
It is therefore exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review pursuant
to Title 14, Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California Code of Regulations.
Section fenaltv� Violation of any provision of this
constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000
or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 6 months, or by both such fine and
imprisonment. Each and every day such a violation exists shall constitute a
separate and distinct violation of this Ordinance. In addition to the foregoing, any
violation of this Ordinance shall constitute a public nuisance and shall be subject
td abatement as provided by all applicable proVisions of law. It shall be a violation
of this Ordinance for a property owner to permit or fail to correct within 3 days of
receiving notice: (i) any violation by a vacation renter of this Ordinance or
Chapter.7.15 of the Municipal Code (Noise) or (ii) any public nuisance created by
a vacation renter in violation of Chapter 7.35 of the Municipal Code.
Section 6. Legislative Findings, On May 12, 2012, the City Council
considered the adoption of this Ordinance at a duly noticed public hearing and on
the basis of the record thereof finds the following facts to be true.
— a. The location and proximity to the coast makes ita
popular destination for tourists, many of whom choose to stay in residential units
such as, but not limited to, single-family and mul(ipio4am|ly dwelling units,
apartment h0000u, condominiums, cooperative apartments, triplexes, and
duplexes ona fewer than 3O days basis aa vacation rental units.
b. Based on experience In the City and in other jurisdictions, d
in known that short-term vacation mnte!a have the potential to create negative
/and use impacts for neighboring residential uses. These include but are not
Ordinance Number 1619 -U
limited to noise disturbances due to late night arrivals and parties with numerous
guests and amplified music, insufficient parking, and unsanitary and unsightly
trash accumulation. These problems are exacerbated when multiple units on the
same property are rented on a short-term basis at the same time and/or to large
groups. Moreover, because short-term occupants do not stay in the residence
for longer periods, they and their guests have less personal incentive to
moderate their behavior to avoid negatively impacting neighboring residents.
0. The City Council previously enacted Section 11.4.05.135 of
the Municipal Code, which requires vacation rentals to meet certain minimum
operational standards. Notwithstanding enactment of Section 11.4.05.135, some
vacation rentals in the City have continued to negatively impact neighboring
residents.
d. After the adoption of Ordinance Number 1618-U, the City
Community Development Department began to study the adequacy of its existing
ordinances regulating vacation rentals. The Planning Commission, the City
Council and the people of Sea[ Beach require a reasonable, limited, yet sufficient
period of time to consider and study legally appropriate and reasonable policies
regulating vacation rentals in order to prevent negative impacts on neighboring
residents. Given the time required to undertake the study and planning this
situation calls for, the City Council finds that it is necessary to enact interim
regulations to ensure that operation of vacation rentals that may be in conflict
with the contemplated new development policies are not permitted in the interim.
The City Council has the authority to adopt an interim ordinance pursuant to the
City Charter and Government Code Section 65858 in order to protect the public
health, safety, or welfare.
0. Accordingly, the City Council finds that there is a current and
immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare presented by operation
of vacation rentals not in conformance with the interim regulations set forth below
in Section 7. The summer rental season is rapidly approaching and the
operation of vacation rentals pursuant to the City's existing regulations will result
in that threat to the public welfare unless the interim regulations are immediately
effective. Due to the foregoing circumstances, it is necessary for the
preservation of the public health, safety and welfare for this Ordinance to take
effect immediately. This Ordinance is an urgency ordinance for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, and safety within the meaning of
Government Code Section 36937(b) and therefore shall, be passed immediately
upon its introduction and shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
I. All legal prerequisites to the adoption of.this Ordinance have
occurred.
Section 7. Interim Regulations. Notwithstanding any other ordinance or
provision of the Municipal Code of the City of Seal Beach, vacation rentals must
comply with the following interim regulations.
a. Conditional Use Permit Required. No vacation rentals shall
operate or be established unless the property owner obtains a conditi6nal use
permit ("CUP") in compliance with Chapter 11 .5.20 of the Municipal Code. To
mitigate the impacts of such rentals on the surrounding neighborhood and City
infrastructure and services, the City may impose reasonable conditions of
approval including but not limited to maximum occupancy levels, maximum visitor
levels, off-street parking requirements and traffic mitigation measures.
b. Limited to Old Town. Vacation rentals are conditionally
permitted only in Old Town (Planning Area 1 excepting Surfside). Vacation
rentals are prohibited in all other Planning Areas, including but not limited to the
areas commonly referred to as the Hill, Leisure World, College Park East, and
College Park West.
C. Business License Required. The property owner must
obtain a business license prior to operating or establishing a vacation rental.
d, Transient Occupancy Tax. The property owner must
complete the Transient Occupancy Tax Remittance form prior to operating or
establishing a vacation rental and shall pay the Transient Occupancy Tax in
accordance with the Seal Beach Municipal Code,
' e. Maximum Lenc
gth of Stay. Visitor occupancy shall belimited
' tou maximum of28 consecutive days.
-- [ The property owner shall implement
d conform to fire and ||Ka safety requirements required by h Orange County
Fire Authority and the City's Building Division. These requirements include, but
are not limited to approved smoke detectors in each lodging room, fnstallation-of
an approved fire extinguisher in the structure, and the inclusion of an evacuation
plan posted |n each lodging room.
g. Annual Inspection. The property owner shall comply with the
annual fire and life safety certification procedures of the 0nmQe County Fire
Authority.
h. Sec 2dary 1jse. A vacation rental incommercial zones shall
be conditionally allowed only fin conjunction with an approved commercial use.
i First-day arrival at a vacation mniu/ is
prohibited after 8:80 p.m. All lease or rental agreements must include this
prohibition.
i Vacation renters must vacate the unit
before noon on the final day of their tenancy,
Prior k. Renter information and Acknowledgemen.
--
occupancy ora short-term vacation rental unit, the owner shall: N obtain the
name, uddeao, and u copy of a valid government identification of the primary
adult occupant of the short-term vacation rental; and (i/) require the primary adult
occupant to execute a fonne| acknowledgement that he or she is legally
responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations
pertaining to the use and occupancy of the short-term vacation rental by all
occupants of the short-term vacation rental or their QueaLo. The
acknowledgement must include the text of Section 7.45.010 of the Municipal
Code, which provides aufollows:
"Upon the initial response of the police department to any
disturbance involving loud, unnecessary and unusual noise, the
chief of police may, in lieu of or in addition to taking other action
authorized by law, give notice to the person or persons in actual or
apparent control of the activity creating the disturbance, or to the
person or persons in actual or apparent control of the property or
promises wherein the disturbance has occurred, or both, that
liability may be imposed upon the person or persons receiving such
notice for the costs to the city of any subsequent response by the
` podepartment
resumption of such disturbance. Such notification ahoU be in unh
form as may be approved by the chief of police, The costs of any
subsequent response shall be assessed to the person or persons
receiving such notice and shall include all costs reasonably
equipment _the scene _ of the disturbance, __ including the cost _
value of the time expended by police department personnel in
making any subsequent response. The method of computing such
costs shall be established by the chief of police and approved by
the city council. The finance department shall invoice such costs to
Ordinance Number 1619-U
the person or persons liable therefor, under this chapter, and such
costs shall constitute a debt to the city and be collectible by the city
in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under
contract; provided, however, that in no event shall o person's
liability hereunder exceed $1,000 for any single subsequent
response."
This information and acknowledgment shall be maintained by the owner
for of any _
p��e'off�mrorom�o- of the city authorized to enforce this Ordinance orany '
applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and occupancy of the
short-term vacation rental.
i Trash. Trash and refuse must not bo left stored within public
view, except in proper containers for the purpose of collection by the City's
authorized waste hauler on scheduled Uoah collection doDu' The owner or
property manager must provide sufficient trash collection containers and service
|o meet the demand of the occupants.
m. Lease Terms: Each new lease or rental agreement for
short-term vacation rental must have a copy of these Permit and Operational
Requirements attached to ii and must include the following henno, notifications
and disdoaumm, which aheU also be posted in u conspicuous location inside the
unit:
i The trash pick-up day and applicable rules and
regulations pertaining to leavIng or storing trash or refuse on the exterior of the
property.
ii, Notification that the occupant may be cited or fined by
the City for Violation of any provision or the Municipal Cod including
limited to amplified sound, including ndios, televisions and other electronic —
devices, that creates a noise disturbance in violation of Chapter 7.45 of the Seal '~1
Beach Municipal Code.
fil. A recommendation that the occupant participate
voluntarily neighborhood quiet hours by avoiding parties and loud social events
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 -a.m.
iv, The name of the owner or property manager and
telephone number at which that party may be reached at all times.
n. Response to Complaints. The property owner ormanager
must provide the City with a phone number at which he or she can be contacted
on a 24-hour basis regarding nuisance complaints arising at of from the use of
the property as a vacation rental. Upon receipt of a nuisance complaint or upon
notification that any occupant or guest of the short-term vacation rental has
created unreasonable noise or disturbances, engaged in disorderly conduct, or
committed violations of the Municipal Code or any state law, the owner or
property manager must respond within 45 minutes of receiving such notification
and must promptly take corrective action to immediately prevent a recurrence of
such conduct by those occupants or guests. Failure to timely respond to calls or
complaints as required or take timely corrective action regarding the condition,
operation, or conduct of occupants of the short-term vacation rental shall be a
violation of this Ordinance. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to
require or authorize an owner or property manager to act as a peace officer or to
intervene in situations that pose a risk to personal safety. The owner or property
manager must maintain records of the name, violation, date, and time of each
complaint, disturbance, and response and corrective action by owner. Such
records must be maintained for at least three years. -
0. On-Site Property Owner or Propertv Manacter Required for
Vacation Rentals in Excess of 2 Units. A property owner or property manager
shall reside on each site that contains more than 2 vacation rental units. Such
Ordinance Number 1619-U
property owner or property manager shall be responsible for compliance with the
operational and performance standards set forth in this Ordinance.
p Additional Conditions. Additional conditions oothe use of
any given short ienn vacation rental unit to ensure that any potential secondary
effects unique to the subject vocation rental unit are avoided or adequately
mitigated may be imposed pursuant ho any CUP required by this Ordinance,
Section 8. .
o. In order to continue nonUnQ any unit as e vacation rental, the
property owner of any existing, licensed vacation rentals shall file an application
for conditional use permit on or before July 6, 2012. For the purpose of this
ordinance, "licensed" shall mean a vacation rental as to which as of January 1,
2010. the property owner had'und. thomoOa4 has continuously maintained a
valid business license, and has registered to pay the Transient Occupancy Tax
and has paid such tax in hu|| compliance with the Title 4: Revenue and Finance,
Chapter 4.35: Transient Occupancy Ta/of the Municipal Code.
b. interim Ordinance Number 1O18'U provided an opportunity for each
property owner of an existing, licensed vacation rnnbs| to continue renting
vacation rentals ifhmor she supplied to the City proof ofe rental agreement for
use of a vacation rental unit after the effective date of that Ordinance, subject to
certain provisions contained themin. The City did not receive any such proof
either within the prescribed time, nraaof May D,2O12.
C. On or before July 6, 2012, any property owner may request from
the City Council an exemption from, or extension of the terms and provisions of
this ordinance, in order to amortize the property owner's investment. Such
request must be made in writing setting forth the reasons for the request, a
proposed abatement period after which the owner either ceases renting any unit
for use of a vacation rental unit or obtains a CUP to permit such use, and all
_
supporting evidence. The owner shall bear the burden of proof. The City
Council shall consider the request at a public hearing and may consider the
following: (i) the length of the proposed abatement period in relation to the
owner's investment in the use of the property as a vacation rental; (H) the length
of time the vacation rental was operating prior to the date of nonconformity; and
(iii) the potential harm to the public if the unit or units are rented on a short term
basis after July 6, 2012. The decision of the City Council shall be final.
Section subsection, subdivision,
paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance or any part thereof is for
any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or any part hereof. The City Council of the
City of Seal Beach hereby declares that it would have passed each section,
subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof,
Irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions,
paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.
Section 10. The City Clerk shall certify tothe passage and adoption of
this Ordinance and shall cause the same or a summary thereof to be published
and posted in the manner required by law.
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'
Ordinance Number 1U1S-J
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council uf the City ofSeal
Beach o1a meeting thereof held on the __141h day of_—] May __2012.
ATTEST:
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STATE 0FCALIFORNIA I
COUNTY 0FORANGE )SS
CITY OF SEAL BEACH
Q6innM. Barrow, . Attorney
L Linda Devine, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify
that the foregoing ordinance is an original copy of Urgency Ordinance Number
1619-U on file in the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved and adopted by
the City Council of the City of Seal Beach, pursuant to the City Charter and
Government Code § 36967(b), at a meeting hold on the 14th day of May 2012
by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Lomt'
NOES: Council Members
ABSENT: Council Members
ABSTAIN: Council Members
and do hereby fuUher certify that Urgency Ordinance Number 1J61j9-LL has been
published pursuant to the Seal Beach City Charter and Resolution Number 2836.
• s
Drat Resolution 12-32
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 12-32
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH PLANNING
COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL PROHIBIT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
VACATION RENTALS (ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 12-3)
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES FIND,
DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. On October 3, 2012, the Planning Commission conducted a duly
noticed public hearing to consider recommending that the City Council approve Zone
Text Amendment 12-3, which would prohibit the establishment of new vacation rentals,
defined in the City's Municipal Code as the leasing of residential units for 29 days or
less. The Commission provided to the public an opportunity to address the Planning
Commission on the subject.
Section 2. The Planning Commission hereby finds that approval of Zoning Text
Amendment 12-3 is categorically exempt from review pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 (Minor
Alterations in Land Use Limitations), because it consists of minor alterations in land use
limitations in areas with an average slope of less than 20% and does not result in any
changes in land use or density; and Section 15061(b)(3), because it can be seen with
certainty that there is no possibility that the approval may have a significant effect on the
environment.
Section 3. The Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council
amend the Municipal Code to prohibit the establishment of vacation rentals.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 3rd day of October, 2012 by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
Resolution Number 12-32
Sandra Massa-Lavitt
Chair
ATTEST:
Greg Hastings
Interim Planning Commission Secretary
September 28, 2012
To: Planning Commissioners
From: Greg Hastings, Interim Community Development Director
Subject: Item 6, October 3rd Agenda
Attached for your information as you consider item 6 on the October 3rd
Commission agenda, is correspondence that staff has received pertaining to short
term vacation rentals.
Gmail - Vacation Rentals in Seal Beach
Vacation Rentals in Seal Beach
1 message
Tom Greeley
To:
Dear Ellery,
Page 1 of 1
Ellery Deaton<
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 12:56 PM
As we discussed this afternoon, my wife and I believe very strongly that there
needs to be strict regulations (that will be enforced) on vacation rentals in Seal
Beach.
We live in the 1600 block of Seal Way where there are many of these rentals. Our
experience has been very good with the vacation rental across the alley from our
house (the Pineapple Cottage) at 1620 Ocean Avenue. However, there are other
vacation rentals where our experience has been quite the opposite. The problems
we have encountered are:
• Parking of cars in Seal Way alley where the cars are parked behind garages
and jut out into the alley causing a driving hazard
• People leave their cars in the alley while they run in to their rental to retrieve
something, thereby blocking the alley completely
These people seem to ignore that Seal Way is actually a street; they frequently get angry with us
and other residents if we ask them to move their car, completely disregarding the fact that we live
here .
• Noise and partying issues.
Some vacation renters are here to party and have a good time, their noise carries throughout the
neighborhood.
We are not against vacation rentals per se, but there needs to be strict controls placed on them and
the number allowed in Seal Beach. There should not be more than one such rental in any given block
of Seal Beach, such as the Pineapple Cottage which does an excellent job of screening and managing
their rental. That is simply not true for the vacation rentals at 1605 Seal Way and 1616 1/2 Ocean
Avenue.
Yours very truly,
Tom and Josi Greeley
1629 Seal Way
https:Hmail.google.com /mail /u /0 / ?ui= 2 &ik= 7c45351dbc &view =pt &q= Tom %20Greeley &... 9/10/2012
Greg Hastings
From:
Donna Chafe
Sent
Monday, August 27,201210:42AK4
To:
Gordon Shanks
Co:
Greg Hastings
Subject:
vacation rentals
As the city of Seal beach decides on issues that affect our home owners, Iwant to encourage you to reject the idea of
vacation rentals. This summer my husband and I walked Main Street 4-5 times a week and have never before seen So
many people enjoying the Shops, restaurants, pier, park and cool breezes of our town. Very often we stop and chat (our
dog draws lots of attention) with the many visitors. lt has been delightful finding out how much our town is loved and
meeting tourists from all over. However, I think those renting houses invite friends and relatives to visit them and the
numbers, noise and litter become much more than a visit for the day. Often there is the feeling of entitlement when
renting a pricey vacation home as they expect a lot because they paid m lot.
Our family rents vacation home in Catalina but it is done through a vacation rental service and they oversee the noise,
trash, etc.
May I add, they are busy and pro active during the summer months. There isDo one to monitor neighborhood issues
that can be
both disturbing and intrusive ho the surround neighborhood,
I hope you will consider this in your decision on vacation rentals and......thank you Gordon for being our councilman,
Greg Hastings
Subject: FW: Vacation Rentals
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 6:48 PM
To: Linda Devine
Subject: Fwd: Vacation Rentals
Dear Linda,
Could you please make this available to the Council for Monday night? Thank you, B|ery
Date: Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Subject: Fwd: Vacation Rentals
From: veronica ward
Date: September S,2Ol26x4Z:0X)4N|PDT
To: B|en/Deoton
Subject: Re: Vacation Rentals
Reph-To: veronica ward
Hi E||eqy,
K8v name is Veronica Ward and | have a house and rental apptnn Dolphin Ave and o house in8ridueporL|amopposed
to vacation rentals because nf the impact in Old Town. The increased density of people (lbd/1bth sleeps 3-5) means
that the weekly turnover of guests would impact the quality of life and would increase costs to the permanent residents
in the city. The lots are small and the homes are very close together so we can look forward to problems with personal
safety, noise, parking, garbage and increased calls to the police department.The unique small town atmosphere that we
have tried sn hard to maintain would bebegone.
Sincerely
Veronica Ward
Greg Hastings
From:
ellerydeaton@gmail.com on behalf of Ellery Deaton
Sent:
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 10:38 PM
To:
Linda Devine
Cc:
Jill Ingram; Greg Hastings; Quinn Barrow
Subject:
Fwd: Vacation Rentals in Seal Beach
Attachments:
Vacation Rentals in Seal Beach.rtf
Dear Linda,
Tom and Barbara Blackman asked me to pass this on to the Planning Commission and
Council. Would you please see that each Councilmember and Planning Commissioner
receives a copy of this letter, please? If you have a problem opening the document,
please let me know.
Thank you,
Ellery
---------- Forwarded message ---- - - - - --
From: Tom Blackman
Date: Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 9:56 PM
Subject: Vacation Rentals in Seal Beach
To: Ellery Deaton <-
Dear Councilwoman Deaton,
Since this issue impacts your district more directly than the other districts I am sending this opinion to you for
sharing with the Council and the Planning Commission. I know that you will consider all points of view as this
issue evolves but I feel that the small town atmosphere is worth preserving. Thank you for listening.
Tom Blackman
421 Beryl Cove Way
Seal Beach, CA 90740
To: Seal Beach City Council members
Subject: Vacation rentals in Seal Beach.
From: Tom Blackman
Looking at the proposals for vacation rentals in Seal Beach |have to look upon them asa
negative addition to the City. If the city gives permission for the rentals the city will have to set
guidelines that must be enforced by the city's police members who will be taken off other patrols, etc,
and this might endanger the citizens. As long time residents of Seal Beach I would not like to have a
vacation rental next to our home.
We have several friends who live next door to vacation rentals and they say that they are
frequently kept awake at night because of the partying that was going on after midnight. Many of the
proposed vacation rentals are used as cash cows to raise money for the heirs who inherit the property,
live elsewhere and have little concern for Seal Beach residents.
• The small town atmosphere will be lost to the renters.
• Residents comfort will be lessened bv out nf town group's activities.
• Outsiders bring their own positive and negative values with them.
• Looking at Seal Beach as a party destination leads people to think that anything goes
because they pay alot of money for the party house in Seal Beach.
• Absentee landlords dn not supervise the vacation rentals.
• Vacation renters do spend money in Seal Beach but so do residential homeowners.
Some of the money spent by the renters is for parties that do not support the small
town atmosphere idea.
� There isnoway to know the background, good m bad, of the renters who will come into
our city. Some might even commit crimes because residents may feel safe and criminals
*
Landlords who live outside of the city do not supervise the property so the supervision
of the vacation rentals will be left to the Seal Beach Police Department who will be
asked to enforce local rules, some that are very vague. Law enforcement comes with a
cost to the community in taxes and inconvenience.
My wife, Barbara, and | want to keep the city of Seal Beach a small town, residential community
and do not want ittoturn into o vacation rental Mecca. We do not want to have the house next
door turned into a vacation rental. That kind ofa"businesy" for profit does not keep the "small
town atmosphere" we love. Please help maintain our most valuable asset. Thank you for
(421 Beryl Cove Way, Seal Beach, CA 90740)