Locals Sound Off on Short-Term Rentals As County Prepares Ordinance

The Carmel Pine Cone May 30, 2014

LOCALS SOUND OFF ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS COUNTY PREPARES ORDINANCE

By CHRIS COUNTS

MORE THAN 100 people crowded into the Big Sur Grange Hall May 28 to voice their concerns about short-term rentals. The increasingly popular practice of rent- ing out homes on a short-term basis is a contentious issue in Big Sur, where housing is in short supply and great demand. At www.vrbo.com, a search this week turned up 42 different short-term rentals in Big Sur. The meeting was moderated by Monterey County planner John Ford, who asked residents how short-term rentals impact their neighborhoods. The responses took up much of the 90-minute meeting. Marcus Foster said long-term rentals are being converted to short-term rentals, pushing families out of the area. “Families are a dying breed here,” Foster said. Seth Parker said short-term rentals add to the strain on volunteer fire brigades. “How are communities like ours supposed to deal with the growing number of visitors?” Parker asked. Steve Beck echoed Parker’s concerns. “In town, you can call the fire department, the cops or an ambulance. We don’t have any of those services,” Beck said. Tara Evans said she’s worried about liability issues on private roads. Magnus Toren said he fears the practice will cause more property owners to become absentee landlords who are only interested in making a profit off their homes. Jeanne Alexander said short-term rentals threaten one of Big Sur’s most valuable resources — its sense of community. “It’s the one thing we all have in common,” Alexander said. Opponents also said short term rentals create more noise and less privacy in neighborhoods not accustomed to tourist traffic. “Short-term rentals have definitely impacted our quality of life,” said Jerri Hansen. While much of the talk at the meeting centered on complaints about short-term rentals, many supporters were there as well. Sofanya White asked Ford why more time wasn’t allotted to discussing remedies. “There are many positives to short-term rentals,” White insisted. “Why haven’t we talked about them? We have solutions.” Lloyd Jones also said the problems associated with short-term rentals can be resolved. “All concerns are preventable with communication between neighbors,” he suggested. Natalie Van Allen said her parents would not be able to afford to live in Big Sur with- out the income they receive from a short- term rental. Another supporter said his vacation renters cause fewer problems than his former long-term renters did. Offering a compromise between the two sides, Mike Caplin suggested the county craft an ordinance that only permits short- term rentals on “owner-occupied” proper- ties. An informal poll of the audience showed that most people agreed with the idea. Ford conceded he is working to create an ordinance that permits some short-term rentals. “We’ve got to stop talking about what we think and focus on what the solutions are,” he said. Ford asked residents to keep an open mind. “How to we get consensus?” he asked. “We realize some are adamantly opposed, and others think they should be allowed with minor county involvement. There are many shades of gray in between.” The meeting also included a short discussion about special events in residential neighborhoods. The subject ignited another round of debate. Ford said another meeting will soon be scheduled in Big Sur to discuss short-term rentals and special events. Two months ago, two separate draft ordinances were released addressing short-term rentals in the coastal and inland portions of the county. Also circulated was a draft ordinance offering guidelines for special events. The drafts can be viewed at www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning.