HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 0271 - Lightspeed Investments - UpheldRESOLUTION NO. 0271
A RESOLUTION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS
BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ON
THE APPEAL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION THAT
LIGHTSPEED INVESTMENTS IS PERMANENTLY
INELIGIBLE TO OPERATE A VACATION RENTAL IN THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE
FINE OF $5,000 FOR OPERATING AN UNREGISTERED
VACATION RENTAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2811 E.
SANDIA RD., PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Jurisdiction: This administrative hearing is conducted in accordance with Palm
Springs Municipal Code 2.50 which confers jurisdiction upon the Administrative Appeals
Board.
WHEREAS Lightspeed Investments did not obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental
Registration Certificate for the property located at 2811 E. Sandia Rd., Palm Springs,
pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 5.25; and
WHEREAS, any person who operates a Vacation Rental without a Vacation
Registration Certificate, shall be liable to the City an administrative fine in the amount of
Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and permanent ineligibility to operate a Vacation
Rental in the City, Palm Springs Municipal Code 5.25.090 (c); and
WHEREAS, “Operation” of a Vacation Rental as used in Palm Springs Municipal
Code Section 5.25 includes “Advertisement” of the property on any web-based
advertising, hosting platform, print media, bulletin, signage, radio and television or any
other medium for the purposes of promoting interest in, testing the market for, or
soliciting the occupancy of a property for a period of twenty-eight (28) consecutive days
or less; and
WHEREAS, Administrative Citation No. AB0513, operating a Vacation Rental
without a Vacation Rental Registration Certificate, was issued on May 2, 2023 to
Lightspeed Investments for the property located at 2811 E. Sandia Rd., Palm Springs;
and
WHEREAS, Lightspeed Investments, filed an administrative appeal of the
Administrative Citation No. AB0513 operating a Vacation Rental without a Vacation
Rental Registration Certificate issued in the amount of $5,000 for the property located at
2811 E. Sandia Rd., Palm Springs with the City Clerk; and
WHEREAS, the Administrative Appeals Board opened and conducted a duly
noticed Administrative Appeal Hearing on August 23, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Administrative Appeals Board was presented evidence that
Lightspeed Investments violated Section 5.25.040(a) of the Palm Springs Municipal
Resolution No. 0271
Page 2
Code by an advertisement on Airbnb.com/rooms/868327533861770717 for the property
located at 2811 E. Sandia Rd., Palm Springs; and
WHEREAS, the Administrative Appeals Board was presented evidence
Lightspeed Investments violated Section 5.25.040(a) of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code by responding to an inquiry to book the property located at 2811 E. Sandia Rd.,
Palm Springs and confirmed a period less than twenty-eight (28) days; June 18, 2023,
through June 12, 2023 (4 nights); and
WHEREAS, the Administrative Appeals Board has carefully reviewed and
considered all the evidence presented in connection with said appeal on August 23,
2023; and
THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD HEREBY FINDS, after due
consideration given to the relevancy, weight and credibility of testimony and evidence,
and based upon a preponderance of the evidence in accordance with the Board’s
procedures, as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Appellant is in violation of Palm Springs Municipal Code 5.25.040(a).
The Administrative Appeals Board upholds the administrative decision that
Lightspeed Investments is permanently ineligible to operate a Vacation Rental
in the City of Palm Springs, including the property located at 2811 E. Sandia Rd.,
Palm Springs and the fine of $5,000.
The Appellant is not in violation of Palm Springs Municipal Code 5.25.040(a).
The Administrative Appeals Board overturns the administrative decision that
Lightspeed Investments is permanently ineligible to operate a Vacation Rental in
the City of Palm Springs, including the property located at 2811 E. Sandia Rd.,
Palm Springs and the fine of $5,000.
Resolution No. 0271
Page 3
SECTION 2. The Administrative Appeals Board directs the City Clerk to deliver a
copy of this Resolution to each party and to file a disposition report with the Palm
Springs City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD THIS 23RD DAY OF AUGUST 2023.
Wayne Sinclair
Chair
ATTEST:
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
Resolution No. 0271
Page 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, do hereby certify that
Resolution No. 0271 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a meeting
of the Administrative Appeals Board of the City of Palm Springs
on the 23rd day of August 2023, by the following vote:
AYES: Board member Basile, Kane, Parker, and Vice Chair Paonessa
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: Chair Sinclair
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of
the City of Palm Springs, California, this 29th day of August 2023.
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk