HomeMy WebLinkAbout3A - Public CommentFrom: Moniaue Lomeli
To: Tiffani Bailey
Subject: FW: Pacaso
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 2:47:14 PM
Public comment
From: Jeff Ballinger <Jeff.Ballinger@bbklaw.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 2:34 PM
To: Monique Lomeli <Monique.Lomeli@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: FW: Pacaso
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attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
For inclusion in agenda material.
-----Original Message -----
From: Eric Englund <ericenglund2na gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 6, 2022 6:01 PM
To: Jeff, Ballinger -cam ap Ims r�ingsca.gov
Subject: Pacaso
CAUTION - EXTERNAL SENDER.
We are backyard neighbors to the Pacaso property on Panga. We just spent an
uncomfortable 3 days with a barking dog. We made repeated contacts with Pacaso and they
did say they would respond, but bark, bark, bark.
If we can be a resource as you deal with 8 families owning in a residential neighborhood let
us know.
Eric Englund
608 347 6323
555 W Baristo Rd Unit 2
This email and any files or attachments transmitted with it may contain privileged or
otherwise confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you
may have received this communication in error, please advise the sender via reply email and
immediately delete the email you received. 31'l012022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Brett Smith
To: City Clerk
Subject: Fwd: Please read -RE: Pacaso Time Share Opinion
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 9:03:46 AM
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unless you are sure the content is safe.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brett Smith <bgsmith27 _ gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 9, 2022 at 9:01 AM
Subject: Please read -RE: Pacaso Time Share Opinion
To: <citycle�rk4nlamspringsca.gov>, Brett Smith <b amith27(a4.�m� aii.corn>
Good Morning. I am writing in response to the Pacaso project. I hope my words will be
read by our City Leaders.
As a 20 year full time resident of Palm Springs, I am vehemently opposed to the Pacaso
operation in our city! This is one more selling out of our quiet neighborhoods in an attempt
by an individual or company to selfishly feed its money lined pockets at the expense of those
of us who call Palm Springs home.
1-"In December the company did not comply with the city order and has continued to market
and manage its properties in the city." THIS, for no other reason, should show the values
2-With no action taken by the city of Palm Springs (it has now been nearly 4 months),
Pacaso has learned that they can bully and threaten our city with no consequences. What next?
3-With short term rentals now being the rage in our city, we now are considering time
shares of homes in neighborhoods as well? What is going on? Little by little our
neighborhoods are being allowed to transition into "hotels": places to come and go.
4-This city's infrastructure is already in dire need of improvements. Roads are
deteriorating, Palm Canyon, through downtown, is a parking lot, and city services can barely
keep up with aging pipes, traffic lights, and parking. Speed racing is occurring more and more
on our once quiet streets, numerous buildings sit vacant or in wait of completion. Water is
becoming more scarce and expensive. Utilities are continuing to escalate in cost. Pollution, in
terms of air quality and trash on our sidewalks, gutters, and public spaces is increasing.
Shopping carts litter our frontage roads and sidewalks. Sirens can be heard almost constantly
on East Palm Canyon. Palm Springs is NOT going to maintain its charm or livability if we
continue to pump more and more short term people into our small city! Already restaurants are
unable to keep up with staff (many of whom cannot afford to live here), supplies, or space!
Tempers are flaring and patience is giving way to rudeness and threats. NOT everyone here
benefits from the masses of tourists and their supposive impact on profits. What priN102V2
Public Comment
Item 3A
paid for all of this?
5-With the new Ice Hockey stadium in the works, and now the Desert Hot Springs massive
warehouse being proposed, we are going to see traffic jams mirroring those in Los Angeles or
Orange County! Thousands more trucks and cars are leaving their carbon footprint and
pollution for the rest of us to endure and suffer through -...not to mention the destruction of our
beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife.
6-This city is headed in a negative direction. Companies have learned they can bully their way
in and make up their own rules of operation, with no consequences. But with the news that one
city council member appears to have benefited financially from the real estate sale of property
for the new Navigation Center, I wonder if my energy and words are in vain? Do the residents
here stand a chance of being heard and respected?
This city needs a reset. Properties are priced so high that the average working individual or
family cannot afford to own. Natural resources are being wasted by the thousands that come to
our home (desert) and leave A/C units running at 68 degrees, racing up and down streets
threatening those who are out exercising, cram our restaurants and stores, treat our
neighborhoods like party places to trash with noise, cars, and dismissive respect for those of us
who live here full time. Private properties are being damaged and crime is zooming skyward.
The police cannot keep up! Add to this the homeless epidemic in our city and well ... whether
or not we pride ourselves on equality and diversity, none of this will matter when our skies
are polluted, our water is rationed, our roads are gridlocked, our stores and restaurants cannot
staff or keep up with supplies, and crime and homelessness is making the national news.
Respectfully,
Brett Smith
South Palm Springs
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Dennis Woods
To: Britton Stuber: Coty Clerk
Subject: Re: Picasso, vote no
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 12:23:10 PM
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 9, 2022, at 10:20 AM, Britton Stuber <brittonstuber@gmail.com> wrote:
Britton and John,
Thank you for writing and caring. I so appreciate your involvement. I am forwarding your
comments to the City Clerk to distribute to the entire City Council.
Cordially,
Dennis Woods
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open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
My family of three voters at 2596 N Aurora Drive do not support fractional
ownership that Picasso is asking the city to permit. Our neighborhoods are being
hollowed out by investors, who are already doing AirBNbs and VRBOs by the
hundreds per year. These investors are not neighbors. We have lived here for 22
years and the city must do something to slow down this freight train of
outside money. Picasso is exactly the type of business that will continue to make
housing more expensive for those who actually want to live here.
Britton Stuber
John HInes
Betty Stuber Cahill
760-808--0079
2596 N Aurora Drive
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
The Hon. Lisa Middleton Mayor,
City of Palm Springs
3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA, 92262
Ma8/2022
Dear Mayor Middleton:
I am disappointed to hear that the city is trying to limit Pacaso's operations in Palm Springs.
Over the last eight years, my partner and I have been vacationing multiple times per year in Palm
Springs. This started in 2013 when we experienced our first Gay Pride in Palm Springs and fell
in love with the city and the desert. For the past six years, we have been looking for opportunities
to buy a piece of paradise. A year ago, we found the perfect fit for us, through Pacaso. We now
have roots in the community, a home, and many friends. We have our go -to restaurants, bars, and
shops. Walking the Thursday night market is always a must for us and for when our friends and
family come to visit. Weekend drag brunches or a romantic dinner out on an open patio, are all
the things that we love to enjoy about Palm Springs. It truly is our second home.
Without Pacaso this wouldn't be possible for me. Managing a second home can be extremely
costly, and time consuming. Pacaso's model affords us the opportunity to make treasured
memories for decades to come.
Please give Pacaso a chance to continue its operations, and to continue allowing people like my
partner and me to invest in this community.
Respectfully,
Andrew Heelas & Leif Anderson
240 W Lilliana Dr, Palm Springs
CC: Councilmembers Kors, Holstege, and Woods
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Bruce T. Bauer
To: City Clerk
Subject: This Weeks Council Meeting 3/10 -- Pacaso Agenda Item No. 3A
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 2:50:31 PM
Attachments: 6mage003.ona
Dan LeAtan letter to Palm S rings Mayor Lisa Middleton - March 1 2022.ndf
Oscar Letter Brady (l).ndf
import Letter from Andrew Heelas.dooc.odf
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unless you are sure the content is safe.
Good afternoon.
Please circulate the enclosed letters regarding tomorrow night's City Council meeting to all City
Councilmembers, the City Manager, City Attorney and City staff. This is for Item No. 3A on the City's
agenda.
Thank you.
Bruce T. Bauer
PALM SPRINGS COSTA MESA SAN DIEGO PRINCETON NEW YORK
Bruce T. Bauer
Of Counsel
SLOVAK BARON EMPEY MURPHY & PINKNEY LLP
1800 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
Phone (760) 322-2275 / Fax (760) 322-2107
httas://sbemn.com/
MartindaI&Hubwr
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hereby informed that any advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and
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3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
The Honorable Lisa Middleton
Mayor
City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
1 March 2022
Dear Mayor Middleton:
As a member of the Palm Springs community, I was disappointed to read in the Desert Sun that the City
is taking action to limit Pacaso's ability to help people purchase second homes in Palm Springs.
As an early investor in Pacaso, I have deep conviction in the company's model and its ability to enrich the
lives of the aspiring home buyers it supports. I was excited to work with the company to purchase an
interest in The Oasis on Stevens Road in Palm Springs, where I now spend almost two months per year.
My other four co -owners and I are true members of this community: we shop here, dine out in area
restaurants, and support the artistic and other cultural activities that help make Palm Springs the
wonderful city it is.
Now that the home has been sold to my co -owners and me, Pacaso simply acts as the
property -management company that we rely on for maintaining and servicing the home, as well as
helping connect my fellow owners and me to cultural opportunities and local businesses we otherwise
might not be aware of.
My relationship with this community is fundamentally different from that of a short-term renter or hotel
guest. I regard Palm Springs as my second home, and a place where I plan to invest my time, money,
and commitment for years to come. Pacaso is making that dream accessible to people who otherwise
would have had to defer that dream, or to compete with other buyers for lower -cost housing, only to have
their home sit empty or be yet another addition to the short-term rental pool.
In my experience, Pacaso's direct impact in any particular community is both limited— the company acts
as property manager for just five homes in Palm Springs— and positive. I respectfully urge you and your
colleagues to find a reasonable solution that allows Pacaso to continue investing in Palm Springs.
If I can ever answer any questions about my experience as an owner, I'd be very happy to do so at (206)
786-4625.
Thank you,
Dan Levitan
Co -Founder and Partner, Maveron
CC: Councilmember Geoff Kors
Councilmember Christy Holstege
Councilmember Dennis Woods
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
City of Palm Springs
Members of the City Council, the City Manager, the City Attorney and acting City Clerk
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Re: Item 3A
I support the option that the city Maintain the City's current prohibition on time-shares in
single-family residential zones, but update the City's time share ordinances.
I live in an HOA that has prohibitions on vacation rentals, but would not prohibit this kind
of time share, leaving us vulnerable to an unregulated nuisance.
• While Picasso does not divide past 8 shares, another copy -cat company could divide the
shares into 16, 32 or 52 shares.
• The management model will not hold up over the years — imaging sharing furnishing and
repair decisions with 8 other owners over 10, 20 or 30 years. Even if it works with
Picasso it may not with a copy -cat company.
• People in my community who want to share their home can easily rent it for 30 days plus
or let friends use their home. This works very well now. I don't think there is a problem
that this is the answer to.
• I don't think the city needs the controversy that will swirl around this.
However, in the event you do not follow the city attorney's advice and allow time shares in
single family zones, then the time shares need to be regulated using vacation rental rules, but in
their own section of the time share code. These would include
• Vacation Rentals should pay TOT to cover the cost of regulating them.
• That all the strict regulations adopted by the City for vacation rentals (such
as special noise regulations, limits on numbers of stays, significant fines
for violations, etc.) be applied to vacation rentals.
• That time shares should be regulated by the department of special programs by a
dedicated code officer attached to that department for that purpose.
Respectfully,
Kathy Weremiuk
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
ans that the strict regulations adopted by the City for vacation rentals (such as special
noise regulations, limits on numbers of stays, significant fines for violations, etc.) do not
currently apply to occupants of Pacaso properties.
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Lenard Snowden
To: City Clerk
Subject: Estimating Services
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 6:20:05 AM
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attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Hi,
Crossland Estimating provides Costing/Takeoff and Architectural services.
We do estimates of all types of construction projects like commercial and residential.
We have expertise in all trades like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and so on.
Simply send me the plans for a quote if you have any job for us. You may ask for a Sample. Thanks
Regards,
Lenard Snowden
Business Development Manager
Crossland Estimating, INC
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Grace Garner
To: City Clerk
Subject: Fwd: Picasso, vote no
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 11:11:35 AM
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Britton Stuber <brittonstuber@gmail.com>
Date: March 9, 2022 at 10:18:47 PST
To: Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: Picasso, vote no
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or
open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
My family of three voters at 2596 N Aurora Drive do not support fractional
ownership that Picasso is asking the city to permit. Our neighborhoods are being
hollowed out by investors, who are already doing AirBNbs and VRBOs by the
hundreds per year. These investors are not neighbors. We have lived here for 22
years and the city must do something to slow down this freight train of
outside money. Picasso is exactly the type of business that will continue to make
housing more expensive for those who actually want to live here.
Britton Stuber
John HInes
Betty Stuber Cahill
760-808--0079
2596 N Aurora Drive
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
Larry M. Berkowitz, M.D., M.B.A.,
Palm Springs Real Estate Broker
580 W. Stevens Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262-4226
760-774-2448
Re: Our experience with Pacaso; please do not reveal names, addresses, email address, our
phone number (though Pacaso may be aware already), to avoid any future confrontations, etc.
Palm Springs City Clerk and City Council Members:
On or about 9/18/21, we experienced a situation that solidified our observations/opinions of the
operation occurring at our next door residence, 594 W. Stevens Rd. We had previously noted the
presence of dozens of children and adults during the Jewish holidays with great use of a bouncy
setup on the driveway all day long for about a week. Other than that, we did note many
weekends with many vehicles on the street and as many as six vehicles on the driveway and
heard many adults and children on weekends in the back yard. Interestingly, different vehicles
and people all the time.
On Saturday, 9/18/21, our gardeners (Jose Viazcan Landscaping) were doing their annual ficus
shortening/trimming in the morning and notified us of a dangerous situation. An adult in the
neighboring backyard was spraying with a hose, the worker who was using a motorized hedge -
trimmer while high on the ladder. My wife, Karen, went out and asked a gentleman there, "what
was the problem, as the gardeners relayed what happened and were upset/concerned". The
answer was that there was to "be no noise on Saturdays from gardeners". Karen told him that he
wasn't from this area, as it was allowed. He noted that "he paid good money to stay there" and
the gardeners needed to stop and "he was going to call the police".
So, Karen called the police about the situation. They noted they couldn't do much, when they
came very quickly (as gardeners didn't want to press charges) and called code enforcement, who
responded, coming promptly. The gentleman was asked if he was an owner; he was not. He was
asked, "who was the owner?" and he didn't know. The personnel present informed the gardeners
they could continue and informed the person present that as we couldn't obtain permission to
trim fcus on their side or remove debris, that we would not be expected to do so ... and didn't for
the first time in over 30 years with same gardeners and same process.
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
March 9, 2022
Page 2
Subsequently, we have met Mr. Rob Glaser, an owner of 3/8ths who noted his friend owns
another 1/8th. We have noted many others coming, with many different vehicles at different
times, to the degree that we gave up noting/recording license plates/vehicles in case of criminal
activity. Additionally, today a Todd, representing Pacaso was there (after several days of many
cleaning/other vehicles) who noted that they are setting up for a tour by real estate agents to
demonstrate what Pacaso offers.
This doesn't appear to operate as a co -owned home/business, but as a managed property, a time-
share.
Thank you,
Karen and Larry Berkowitz
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
The Hon. Lisa Middleton Mayor,
City of Palm Springs
3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA, 92262
March 8, 2022
Dear Mayor Middleton:
It was brought to my attention by a friend of a friend in Palm Springs that some
residents and the city council had concerns about Pacaso operating in the city. Frankly,
this didn't come as a big surprise to me, as I've found that many people don't quite know
how Pacaso works and don't take the time to educate themselves on the business model
properly.
About 30 years ago, my grandparents fulfilled their dream of retiring to Palm
Springs from Los Angeles. Once they moved into their modest home on the municipal
golf course, it became the holiday and weekend gathering place for their five children and
grandchildren, including myself. Although they have both passed, my love for the
Coachella Valley and nostalgia for those days have never left me. I moved to Dallas about
20 years ago, but my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews call Laguna Beach
and Carlsbad home. It's an easy drive for them, so they're in the desert frequently, and an
easy flight for me. After a lot of hard work over two decades in Dallas, I found myself
financially able to buy a vacation home for the family to share in Palm Springs. Still, the
market had taken off, and I couldn't justify the cost of the caliber of property that I
wanted to buy. It was around that time that I found out about Pacaso.
You don't need me to educate you that this is not simply a timeshare. If it were, my bank
account balance would be a good bit larger. I bought into Pacaso because it's not only an
investment in real estate but an investment in the quality of life of my family and friends.
One often overlooked aspect of Pacaso ownership is the amount of revenue we owners
contribute to the local economy. Allow me to make a few points.
If I purchased a vacation home outright and did not rent it, it would sit empty for a
cumulative nine months or so of the year. When open, it would do nothing for the
local economy or the life of the neighborhood.
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
2. If I purchased a vacation home and rented it, those neighbors would have one
more AirBnb-type property that would be home to a revolving door of parties and
weekend guests. Pacaso owners are not exactly the wild party type, and we have
rules in place to ensure respect for our neighbors.
3. I've heard that locals are concerned that Pacaso-owned homes make it harder for
locals to buy. If taking out a few pieces of inventory in the $2.5 million to $5
million range is seriously a concern, I invite you to take that story to the media and
see the lack of sympathy that "issue" would bring.
4. I'd be willing to bet that most of the locals who have the time and energy to
complain about Pacaso are set in their ways and spend a lot of time at home. A trip
to the grocery store once a week, likely an occasional meal out. They're certainly
entitled to do whatever they'd like with their time, but they're not exactly
significant revenue generators for the city.
5. Bar Cecil. Del Rey. Mr. Lyons & Seymour's. The Tropicale. Las Casuelas.
Melvyn's. The Tailor Shop. Workshop. Trader Joe's. Taq/Quila. Hertz Car Rental.
76 Gas. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. What do these all have in common?
These businesses made revenue from friends and me on a recent 4-day trip when
we stayed at my Pacaso house. I'm going back in a few weeks, and it'll be a near
repeat of the above. When a Pacaso home is occupied 95% of the time and owners
are coming in for two days to 2 weeks at a time, they're in town to enjoy the
atmosphere and not sit at home all day. If the goal is to have more full-time local
homeowners, I will challenge you to find locals who spend as much in the Palm
Springs economy as we do.
As you can see, I'm passionate about the Pacaso business model and how it has
allowed me the opportunity to own a piece of a home in one of my favorite places in the
world. And because we're all busy people and can only get away so often, it also allows
for the amount of usage that my family and I would want without it sitting vacant the
majority of the year. The caliber of Pacaso owners is also what residents should *want*,
not fight against. It's an educated, affluent, respectful group, not weekend bachelorette
party renters. So I'm proud of being part of this group of owners and the home that we
share.
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
I encourage you to reach out to me if I can give any additional information on the
company, the ownership experience, or what we contribute to the local Palm Springs
economy in a great and respectful way.
Respectfully,
Brady Moore
1961 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA
CC: Councilmembers Kors, Holstege, and Woods
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Scott Connelly
To: Cjty Clerk
Subject: PACASO
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 1:43:45 PM
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unless you are sure the content is safe.
I oppose the PACASO proposal to do business in Palm Springs.
urge you to maintain the current position that Pacaso is not allowed under the city's
timeshare ordinance
Scott Connelly
Palm Springs
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Joan And Steve
To: City Clerk
Subject: NO to Pacaso!
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022 1:14:20 AM
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unless you are sure the content is safe.
City Clerk:
Please convey to the PS City Council Members and Mayor the following, for the 3/10 Council Meeting:
Please outlaw, or otherwise prohibit, Pacaso from operating in PS! No matter how they define
themselves, they operate as STR's-- with a revolving door of people, in a vacation/party, mood in our
residential neighborhoods. As such, they leave their inhibitions and good manners at their usual
residences-- disturbing us locals with their loud, boisterous behavior. We already have four STR's, all in a
row, directly behind us. We, and other locals, don't need any more aggravation. As far as accepting and
regulating them. Please don't. They are currently showing you how they respond to directives of which
they don't agree. They're ignoring you and continuing to operate.
Please outlaw, or otherwise prohibit, Pacaso!
Thank you.
Joan Smith Family
Palm Springs Residents.
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: John Gilmer
To: ON Clerk
Subject: Pacaso
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022 6:14:19 AM
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attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
I am a 20 year full time resident of Palm Springs and am adamantly opposed to time share ownership of homes in
residential neighborhoods. Pacaso is a time share operation and should be banned from the city.
John Gilmer, AIA
John Gilmer Architect, Inc
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Matthew Caynar
To: City Clerk
Cc: Jana RzGerald
Subject: No Pacaso!
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 10:04:29 PM
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unless you are sure the content is safe.
My family and I moved here to make Palm Springs our full time home in December. We live
in Tahquitz River Estates, in an area I'm sure Pacaso would consider luxury but which, in this
real estate market, is basically what you're going to get if you want a single family home. We
have a young child and are eager to encourage more young families to move to Palm Springs
and our neighborhood.
We understand that the city has many short term vacation rentals; yet the police are extremely
effective in addressing noise and other complaints — and you can always find the singular
owner of a house and get them to address issues with their vacation rental.
Now we find out Pacaso is doing what so many abusive companies have done — trying to end
run regulations put in place to protect communities by bulldozing enforcement with capital
and dressing up their sheer profit interest in the language of doing good (remember when Uber
claimed it was reducing pollution — yet it's been demonstrated they produce 70% MORE
pollution than trips they displace?).
This kind of reckless profiteering and growth at all costs must be stopped. Cities must stand up
to the strong arm tactics and manufactured sense of inevitability of these phony entrepreneurs
the same way we should stand up to any bully. Pacaso's quiet threat of litigation in references
to what they're doing in Saint Helena is reason enough to kick them out.
Families like us can be the future of Palm Springs. Not self interested profiteers who think we
are all suckers they can steam roll with threats and force. People are tired of being told to
accept something just because there is huge amounts of money behind it and some vague
reference to equality. We are all sophisticated enough to know the true nature of a thing when
we see it. When we see Pacaso we see a glorified time share, with all the reasons to resist this
model attendant upon it. Out with Pacaso!
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From: Ardine Thompson
To: City Clerk
Subject: Discussion of Picaso ITEM 3A
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 8:22:47 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
March 10, 2022
To: City Council Members, City Manager, City Attorney and acting City
Clerk
Subject: Item 3A
support the option that the city Maintain the City's current prohibition
on time-shares in single-family residential zones, as well as update the
City's timeshare ordinance.
The HOA that I live in prohibits vacation rentals, but would not prohibit
this kind of timeshare, leaving us to deal with an unregulated nuisance.
1) Pacaso divides houses into 8 owners; how do we know that
another company enters into this market and divides homes into
16, 32 or even 40 shares?
2) How do you manage a house with multiple owners? Imagine
sharing furnishings, linens, cleaning of the house after each owner
leaves (and one owner leaves it in bad condition)... then we have
the question of longer term maintenance... a decision for all those
owners to agree before it gets fixed — painting the house, or
appliances need replacing, those are big ticket items that might
prove very difficult to get agreement, payment and time the
maintenance will be done — over whose vacation time at the
house? The house continues to degrade while no decision is
made.
3) 1 don't think Palm Springs needs to take on the issues that this
type of home ownership will present.
If the City should allow timeshares in single family zones, then the
timeshares would definitely need to be regulated using very similar
vacation rental rules — however, that would probably fall into the
timeshare code. They should also pay TOT to cover the cost of
regulating them. Time- shares should be regulated by the department
of special programs by a dedicated code officer attached to that
department for that purpose.
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
Thank you for your consideration,
Ardine Thompson, Escena Resident
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
DocuSign Envelope ID: E374DFE9-8EF8-4CFB-A840-33B7FBCC3209
�_� THE PRATT GROUP
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3/9/2022
To whom it may concern,
I have witnessed firsthand that Pacaso has helped many quiet families who had previously
rented when visiting Palm Springs, become proud owners of luxury high -end homes. These
owners are now able to frequent the area more often than before for theirfamily getaways,
enjoying the Palm Springs area and contributing to the city through their patronage. Please
accept this letter in support of the continuance of Pacaso's operation in Palm Springs, as I feel
they are a wonderful attribute to our community and those families who greatly desire to own a
little slice of Palm Springs real estate.
Respectfully,
Docu3igned by:
3BD30C4991974D7.
Brandi Pratt
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ITEM NO.
4706o WASHINGTON ST.
SUITE 5202 LA QUINTA, CA 92253 1 BRANDIQa THEPRATTGROUP.COM 1760.96o.o381
The Hon. Lisa Middleton
Mayor, City of Palm Springs
3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA, 92262
March 7, 2022
Dear Mayor Middleton:
I was disappointed to hear that the City is trying to restrict Pacaso’s operations in Palm Springs.
After years of making shorter trips to Palm Springs and staying in hotels or rentals, I knew I wanted to
make a long-term commitment to owning property in Palm Springs, and built my second home in the city
in 2006. I soon realized that other commitments meant that I struggled to use the property as much as I’d
have liked, and it was sitting empty and unused for much of the time.
When I learned about Pacaso and its unique model, I was thrilled to have a way to keep my home and
continue my long-term investment in Palm Springs while also sharing the ownership experience with
others. I now share ownership with 6 other owners who had likewise dreamed of owning a second home
in Palm Springs.
I am proud to be a member of this community. I love owning a home that is walkable to downtown
restaurants and galleries, and that provides access to the amazing cultural opportunities Palm Springs
offers. I also try to give back to the community by serving on various boards and contributing to the fabric
of community life however I can.
Without Pacaso, neither I nor my fellow co-owners would be able to make this work. Doing away with
Pacaso will only encourage even more short-term rentals and make it even harder for people who want to
own property here to do so.
Palm Springs has a lot of challenges, but I can tell you firsthand that Pacaso and the tiny number of
houses it looks after in Palm Springs is not one of them. On behalf of my co-owners and myself, please
do the right thing, stop asking Pacaso to cease its operations, and move on to more pressing issues in our
community.
Respectfully,
Chris Lim
470 E. Avenida Olancha, Palm Springs 92264
CC: Councilmembers Kors, Holstege, and Woods
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From:dave vavra
To:City Clerk
Subject:Pacaso
Date:Thursday, March 10, 2022 2:43:13 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
Dear Council and Staff-
The matter before you tonite is yet another attempt to cut up housing integrity for the benefit
of SPAC and other hedgefund speculation.
The City has a storied reputation for welcoming visitors. The courts embrace Zoning for
distinct districts that are carefully designed and assigned geographic boundaries. Homeshare ,
timeshare, and co-ownership models are best located in a specific zoning district .
Intermingling these these uses in existing districts creates incompatible outcomes.
Accommodating our cherished visitors must be only in a zoning district specifically drawn for
them. Eventually, as the municipal David’s work with the Goliath’s of real estate speculation
- the courts may very well reinforce the efficacy of Zoning.
Please thank the Pacaso for their interest, but be sure tonight that Zoning wins.
Sincerely,
Dave Vavra, resident since 2017
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From:Bruce Hoban
To:City Clerk
Subject:Comments for 3/10/22 Council Meeting Agenda Item #3.b
Date:Thursday, March 10, 2022 3:20:43 PM
Attachments:clip_image001.png
2022_03_10 CC Meeting Data Revisions.pdf
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
VRON’s comments and a supplemental attachment.
TO: Palm Springs City Council, Justin Clifton, and Jeff Ballinger
RE: March 10, 2022 City Council Meeting, Agenda Item #3.b
VRON-PS has reviewed the Staff Report and is submitting a list of items we request data be
provided for. This information is in a separate attachment and is a redline from the Staff
Report list asking for clarifications as well as new items.
Additionally, we would appreciate the City Staff and Council consider directing the City
Manager to allocate funding from the Vacation Rental annual permit fees (paid for by
homeowners) to be used to bring in additional resources to help everyone get a more granular
picture of what data could be made available. This is data outside of specific vacation rental
data collected by the City. These resources could include outside demographers and/or
analytic consultants, and GIS mapping consultants.
We look forward to our additional items and outside consultants being incorporated in the
upcoming Vacation Rental Study Session #1 later this month to further define what data
everyone will need.
We commend the Staff and Council for outlining a process to review our Vacation Rental
ordinance starting with the assessment of data needs and the findings of the data reports prior
to moving onto policy discussions.
VRON-PS Board of Directors
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
Data Staff Proposes to Present at Future Study Session include:
•Permits: This data will show vacation rental permitting trends since the
date of implementation of Ordinance 1918 through January 2022. This data
will include:
o The total number of permits as of Dec 31, 2021
o The breakdown of total permits between vacation rental homes by
single family homes, condominiums and homeshares (TOT # >
8,000 and < 8,999 to be verified by City Staff) properties.
o Growth by year excluding Homeshare properties.
•The number of permits issued to a property that was
previously a VR under different owners
•The number of renewals each year
•The number of new permits issued to a property that was
previously not a vacation rental in the past 12 months
•The number of active permits that were closed in the past 12
months either by the owner or Special Program Compliance
o Percentage of growth annually
•CHANGES IN SECONDARY, NON-OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING:
Neighborhoods may have changed due to multiple reasons including the
proliferation of secondary, non-owner occupied homes:
2010 and 2020 US Census data showing the change in the number of
residential units at the enumeration level for
•Secondary, non-owner-occupied residences
•CHANGES IN MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING RENTALS UNITS: Rental
apartment units built in the last 10 years
o 2010 and 2020 US Census data showing the change in the number of
rental apartment units at the enumeration level
•Delinquent Permits: [NOTE: VRON-PS does not understand this and will provide
written public comments] This data will show trends in delinquent permits over
the last year. In previous years, delinquent permits were not identified in a
timely manner and often incorrectly reflected inactive permit statistics. For
example, in 2021, 221 properties were identified as delinquent permits and
not operating as short-term rentals yet were included in the total number of
permits for the City, potentially skewing historical data on total permits. This
data include:
o The decline to total delinquent permits between over the last 12
months
o The average monthly permit applications processed
o The total permit activity new and renewal for the last 12 months
•Vacation Rental Concentration by Neighborhood: This data will look at
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
concentration of vacation rentals across Palm Springs neighborhoods,
helping to evaluate how vacation rentals effect neighborhoods differently.
This data will include:
o Information for all neighborhoods where at least one vacation rental
permit exists
o The total number of residential units within each neighborhood
o The total number of vacation rentals within each neighborhood
o The total number of secondary, non-owner occupied homes within
each neighborhood per the 2020 census
o The total number of vacation rentals as a percentage of total
residential properties units.
o A heat map showing concentration of vacation rentals across the city
• A heat map showing the permits in single family residences
only
o• A heat map showing the permits located in condominiums
only
o A map showing actual parcel locations of properties with vacation rental
permits
o A heat map showing the total number of secondary, non-occupied owner
homes per the 2020 census.
• Contract Summary Review: This data will look at the number of vacation
rental contracts (stays) for vacation rental properties. This data is important
as limiting properties to 32 stays per year (up to four (4) additional contracts
for the third quarter of a calendar year) is one of the primary policies aiming to
assure vacation rental use is compatible with residential settings. This data
is also complimentary to the data on total permits as it may better assess
impact by differentiating between properties with very few rental contracts
and those with greater activity. The data include:
o [NOTE: Due to the City’s IT issues in collecting the contract summary
information, the only year with 100% valid data is 2021]
o Includes information from Contract Summaries submitted by property
owners/ managers, as required by local ordinance
o Total number of rental contracts
o Average contracts per property, segregated by contracts managed by
individuals vs. those managed by agencies
o Median contracts per property, segregated by contracts managed by
individuals vs. those managed by agencies
o The total number of properties that fall within each number of contracts
from 1-46 (36?). For example, the number of properties that only had
one contract, the total number of properties with one two contracts,
three contracts etc. – also segregated by those managed by
individuals vs. those managed by an agency
o Breakdown of contract summaries into three equal groups of
properties to provide the order of distribution (example: 1-11 contracts,
12-23 contracts, 24-36 contracts)
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
• Hotline Review: This data will provide an overview of the number of
complaints received via the Vacation Rental hotline. Hotline activity can be
an indicator of impact. However, it is also important to look at the type of
complaint, the rate of confirmed non-compliance and to compare complaints
from vacation rentals to other residential complaints. The data will include:
o The number total annual active and non-active nuisance calls from
2017- 2021 [NOTE: What is the definition of active vs. non-active
nuisance calls?]
o A breakdown of calls by the time of year, days of the week, and time of
day
o A comparison of the number of complaints received for registered
versus non-registered vacation rental properties.
o Total active calls for non-vacation rental properties
o Total calls and percentage of calls for nuisance calls not relating to a
vacation rental
• Citation Review: The citation data provides the total number of citations
issued to vacation rentals from all complaint resources. This is a compliment
to data on complaints because it may better indicate impact. The data will
include:
o The total number of violations
o A breakdown of the primary types of citations issued
o A breakdown of citations by the time of year, days of the week, and
time of day
o A comparison of the number of citations received for registered versus
non-registered vacation rental properties.
o A breakdown of citations as a percentage of total complaints
A breakdown of citations issued to permitted vacations rentals vs.
illegal, non-permitted vacation rental
o A breakdown of citations issued to permitted vacation rentals with 4 or
less bedroom homes compared to 5 or more (estate) bedrooms
homes excluding condominium
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
The Hon. Lisa Middleton
Mayor, City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA, 92262
March 10, 2022
Dear Mayor Middleton:
As the co-owner of a second home in Palm Springs, I urge you to allow Pacaso to continue operating in the
City. Telling the company to “cease and desist” its operations means telling my family and me, and other
aspiring second-home owners, that we are not wanted in this community, simply because we have made
the choice to own property with other families.
For me, sharing ownership with other families means the difference between living in Palm Springs as an
owner, and staying in Palm Springs as a visitor. While Pacaso helped me find my home and made the
purchasing process easier, it is now simply a property manager that preserves the value of my home by
taking care of maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and upgrades as they arise. Having those tasks
professionally handled frees me up to make memories with my family, focus on work, and invest in the
Palm Springs community.
Everyone in Palm Springs is well aware of the City’s history with short-term rental companies. Their
model and the ownership experience made possible by Pacaso are as different as night and day. My
co-owners and I are prohibited from renting out our home, and would have no interest in doing so, in any
case. Our home is our sanctuary, and reflects a long-term commitment to Palm Springs for ourselves and
families.
I urge you not to fall sway to the misunderstandings that have colored this debate. Pacaso and the owners
it helps to buy in Palm Springs are adding to the community, not taking something away from it.
We deserve to stay.
Respectfully,
Thao Tran
45655 Apache Road
Indian Wells, CA 92210
CC: Councilmember Kors, Councilmember Holstege, and Councilmember Woods
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From:Llubi Rios
To:City Clerk
Cc:Monique Lomeli
Subject:FW: Picasso, vote not more fractional ownership,
Date:Thursday, March 10, 2022 8:52:44 PM
Public Comment-
From: Britton Stuber <brittonstuber@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 10:21 AM
To: Llubi Rios <Llubi.Rios@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: Picasso, vote not more fractional ownership,
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
My family of three voters at 2596 N Aurora Drive do not support fractional ownership that Picasso is
asking the city to permit. Our neighborhoods are being hollowed out by investors, who are already
doing AirBNbs and VRBOs by the hundreds per year. These investors are not neighbors. We have
lived here for 22 years and the city must do something to slow down this freight train of
outside money. Picasso is exactly the type of business that will continue to make housing more
expensive for those who actually want to live here.
Britton Stuber
John HInes
Betty Stuber Cahill
760-808--0079
2596 N Aurora Drive
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A
From:Dennis Woods
To:Terry House
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:Re: Pacaso ii
Date:Thursday, March 17, 2022 5:33:24 PM
Terry,
I am forwarding this to the City Clerk to distribute to the entire City Council. The item will come back
to the City Council for an amendment to our municipal code. Currently we are defining them as
timeshares that are not permitted in single family residential zones.
Cordially,
Dennis Woods
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 15, 2022, at 2:35 PM, Terry House <terry.house@gmail.com> wrote:
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or
open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Councilmember—
You may be well aware of the presence of Pacaso as a sponsor of the BNP Paribas
tournament, did you know today is Pacaso Day there? Global streaming and
broadcasting with the name plastered around on center court at the least.
It strikes me this company is aggressive and arrogant. I hope council can act against
them before it’s too late.
Thank you
Terry House
3/10/2022
Public Comment
Item 3A