From:Alan Stocker
To:City Council
Cc:Matt Downing
Subject:Agenda Item #12.E at July 18th meeting
Date:Monday, July 17, 2023 3:19:52 PM
External Email
17 July 2023
Reference: Agenda Item #12.E at City Council Meeting on 18 July 2023
Dear Councilmembers:
As a homeowner in a Sunset Palisades neighborhood that has been negatively impacted for nearly 2 years by an initially unpermitted and then fraudulently-permitted STR, I have come to believe that only a complete ban on further issuance of STR permits will provide a satisfactory solution to the problems these types of rentals are prone to create. It is simply too easy for STR applicants to misrepresent themselves as homeowners and principal residents, and too difficult for a small city with limited enforcement resources to investigate and resolve such violations in a timely manner.
Similar constraints apply when dealing with nuisances associated with poorly- managed STRs, such as excess occupancy, noise, trash, and improper off-site parking.
As a highly desirable beach vacation destination, it is clearly appropriate for Pismo Beach to provide ample accommodations for visitors. However, the city already does so without a need for STRs. The Staff Report for this item notes that there are nearly 2,800 rental units available for short-term visitors to our city, including hotel/motel rooms, RV spots and campsites. This corresponds to over 46% of the approximately 6,000 permanent housing units in the city. It wouldn’t surprise me if no other city in California provides a proportionately greater amount and variety of visitor accommodations.
The staff report seems to recommend an overly cautious approach when it comes to proposing or adopting STR regulations that could be subject to Coastal Commission review. For example, it notes that the stringent STR policies in effect in the City of Santa Monica since 2015 have apparently not been formally “approved” by the Commission. Nor have they been formally rejected, and as a result that city has for years been avoiding the worst impacts of excessive STR activity, including loss of its
permanent housing stock and disruption to its residential neighborhoods. I would like to see our city adopt such a “forward-leaning” attitude when it comes to STR regulation.
I strongly suggest that staff be given specific direction to investigate and report on the feasibility and mechanics of a total ban on future STRs in Pismo Beach, for your subsequent consideration.
Respectfully,
Alan Stocker
109 N. Silver Shoals Drive
Pismo Beach