Listen here:
Last night, the Twentynine Palms City Council got an earful from concerned residents and Airbnb “Superhosts” as the council revisited their nine-month-old Vacation Home Rental (VHR) policy. Prominent issues were the new structures built specifically as VHRs, the required hospitality class for VHR owners, VHR neighborhood density, and the number of VHR permits allowed per-entity. (All agreed that the VHR permit cap remain at 500.)
Resident Russ Kohn had strong words of warning for the council regarding several new properties built as luxury VHRs by outside investors. “These are built with commercial intent. They are messing with you guys completely. They are taking advantage of what this city has to offer.” The council agreed to consider this unforeseen development.
Councilmember Octavious Scott stated that while he knows VHRs are not singularly responsible for the state’s housing crisis, he knows of several large families removed from their rental homes due to a VHR flip. “It certainly does not help the situation and I’m going to advocate to close that door,” Scott said.
Ultimately, the council agreed to revisit the original sub-committee recommendations, kick the most pressing issues back to the Planning Commission, and to consider certain changes, namely:
- Decrease insurance liability to $500K from $1M.
- Remove tax structure – eliminate the ambiguity of ADUs, carports, etc.
- New VHR owners must take hospitality classes but not those who renew annually. If a violation occurs, owners must pay the fine and take the class.
- Number of permits per owner: The sub-committee had suggested no more than two and the council had changed it to five, but they may reverse back to two or three.
- Density: The council has openly wrestled with an accurate formula for determining how many VHRs could peacefully co-exist within a neighborhood.
Morongo Basin Arch (MBA) President Astrid Johnson detailed sheltering assistance given to homeless individuals during the recent storms and presented a signed thank you card to the council for a recent $20,000 donation and $30,000 loan. The MBA repaid the loan, and the council approved another $25,000 donation during the meeting.
The council discussed the application of eminent domain on a .17-acre downtown parcel near Freedom Plaza intended for affordable housing. Though the status is not finalized, the council approved continuance of the order.
Finally, the council discussed term-limits and accurate representation of the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Board. City staff recommended a similar appointment process as the Planning Commission.
City Manager Frank Luckino recommended staggered term limits, so the board is not vacated all at once. Mayor Wright suggested that business owners not pay into TBID unless they want to, and the make-up of the TBID was debated (hotel owners, VHR owners), as was a proposed residency requirement.
Recommendations and discussion points will be sent back to the Planning Commission for review.
