STVHR NEWS: MBCA RELEASES STATEMENT AND VIDEO AND 29 PALMS NEIGHBORS UPDATES THEIR MAP
San Bernardino County and Twentynine Palms head into final votes on revised ordinances
MBCA RELEASES STATEMENT AND VIDEO ON STVHRs
The Morongo Basin Conservation Association has released a formal statement on STVHRs accompanied by a video focused short term rental impacts in Joshua Tree.
The statement, released on May 14, does not mention a specific locality and appears to apply to the Morongo Basin in general:
For our communities to thrive, an adequate and balanced mix of housing types is necessary to meet the needs of the community. MBCA supports locally owned, operated and managed STRs with regulations that prioritize opportunities for our residents and that benefit our tourism-based economy.
MBCA supports the imposition of a temporary ‘pause’ in the issuance of new STR permits to allow study and consideration so that policies can be adopted and regulations enacted that balance the needs of the community with the interests of STR owners along with the protection of the environment upon which we all depend.
While calling for “locally owned, operated and managed STRs” the statement stops short of recommending legislation to achieve that goal. Typically municipalities achieve local ownership by limiting STVHRs to home shares of primary residences as proven by voter registrations and occupancy. When asked whether the MCBA was supporting limiting STVHRs to home shares, Board President Steve Bardwell replied, “At this time, MBCA is not advocating for any specific regulation to be enacted. Our position statement supports future regulations that encourage and support local interests and the local economy, with local ownership playing an important role. We have no intention to advocate for owner/hosted home-shares only at this time. This is not a simple black or white issue and the complexity of the problem must be reflected within any future actions.”
The video features STVHR owners Diane Best and Miriam Seger and manger Eric Menendez, restaurateurs Merilee Kuchon, Levon Kazarian and Sarah Taylor, as well as other local owners and workers in the tourism industry. Also featured is Aligning Resources, Challenging Homelessness (ARCH) president Astrid Johnson and Morongo Unified School District Homeless Liaison Wayne Hamilton. Most speak to the need to replace housing removed from the residential market by STVHRs. Johnson and Hamilton also addressed a relationship between STVHRs and the lack of housing at the May 10th 29 Palms City Council meeting on the proposed STVHR ordinance in that City.
29 PALMS NEIGHBORS UPDATES THE 29 PALMS STVHR MAP
29 Palms Neighbors has released an update to their volunteer produced STVHR map, which is produced with data acquired from Twentynine Palms via public information requests. The map was first released on July 21, 2021 when there were 198 pending and issued permits in City limits. The most recent release is current as of April 21 and documents 383 active and pending permits.
The City of Twentynine Palms has yet to publish a STVHR map on their website.
VOTE EXPECTED ON REVISED STVHR ORDINANCE AT MAY 24 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The revised STVHR ordinance is on the consent calendar for the 29 Palms City Council meeting scheduled for May 24. The ordinance becomes law 30 days after the vote. Generally the public is allowed to comment on Consent Calendar items prior to the Council vote.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ORDINANCE TO BE REVIEWED AT JUNE 14 SUPERVISORS MEETING
According to a newsletter sent by 1st district Supervisor Dawn Rowe, the County Board of Supervisors will review revisions to the County short term vacation home ordinance at their June 14 meeting. The ordinance applies to unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County such as Joshua Tree, Yucca Mesa, Wonder Valley and Desert Heights.
The meeting agenda is not yet posted but public comment can be submitted through the Clerk of the Board webpage.
In reviewing numerous news items from the period surrounding this video for an upcoming media interview, I must say I am disappointed that The Desert Trumpet never made the effort to reach out to me or any other staff member at Desert Beacon for any sort of comment. My name was misspelled and Desert Beacon was not even referenced in association. Given that we were actively participating in the VHR dialogue, regularly attending the meetings and were instrumental in developing the VHR Good Neighbor Certificate program at the request of the City, one can only wonder on why The Desert Trumpet could not have made more of an effort if your goal is to provide objective reporting. I feel that this was a very significant missed opportunity in which we could have effected a better outcome for or City of 29 Palms and the entire gateway area. I would love to sit down and have frank conversation if you intend to follow up on this story.
Eric Menendez - Desert Beacon