HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3BFrom:Info Info
To:City Clerk
Subject:Citizen Comments re: Time Share / Multi-Shared Ownership Housing Regulation Palm Springs
Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 12:03:52 PM
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Addendum:
To the comment document (see below) which I sent on 5–23-25 to be included with the review
of regulations surrounding co-owned housing in Palm prings;
I having now had the opportunity to re-read the proposed changes to the existing {S ordinance
regulating co-owned housing as published in the meeting agenda.
I am strongly opposed to the proposed occupancy limits of 2 adults per bedroom, unlimited
children plus up to 4 more day time visitors who can be present for 12 hours!
Consider the fact that most co-owned homes in the price range of 2.5 X the median home price
will be 3-4 bedroom homes. So that allows 8 adults, plus 4 more daytime adults plus
unlimited children. Essentially 12 adults in residence plus children. Even if each couple
comprising the 12 adults were to have only ONE child present, that would result in 18
occupants at each resident. The parking and noise impact of that large of group in a residential
neighborhood is frightening!
Previous Comment:
I am writing to register my VERY STRONG OPPOSITION to Palm Springs allowing the
existence of time share / multi-share housing in ANY predominately residential neighbor
hood in Palm Springs.
I fully understand the importance of our tourism-based economy here in Palm Springs.
FYI-I was one of the Palm Springs residents who served on the citizens advisory committee to
guide our city government in their review and revision on the short term rental regulations
several years ago. That committee was composed of private citizens, short term rental
property owners and short term rental property management companies. So all “sides” were
represented. There were months of difficult discussions, negotiations and eventually good
compromising, amongst the committee members. One of the main areas of opposition arose
from the very excessive negative impact on life quality when commercial housing is
integrated into residential neighborhoods. Forcing the loss of community support due to the
constant influx of strangers who are in no way invested in the quality of life where they are
invading.
We eventually presented our recommendations, with compromises which passed by majority
vote amongst all committee members, to our city officials for consideration in revising the
existing (at that time) short term vacation rental regulations. Setting % limits per
neighborhood.
06/11/2025
Public Comment
Non-Agenda
Sadly, after that project ended, the very powerful and very well funded short term vacation
rental property management groups were able to effectively lobby our elected officials to
completely ignore the full committee’s recommendations. Resulting in an actual INCREASE
in STR properties via creating a whole new category that bypassed most of the actual
regulations meant to modulate the impact in residential communities composed of the very
residents who support Palm Springs business YEAR ROUND by living here permanently.
So it was not surprising to see several years later that the regulations adopted failed. And we
are now revising them to better control the STR management companies because owners are
so negligent in their own profit making on the backs of destroying life quality.
It is with this same insight that I oppose the proliferation of what is simply yet another form of
commercial housing destroying the life quality of residential neighborhoods in Palm Springs.
Time shares such as PACSO.
The fact cannot be disputed that whether short term, Airbnb / VRBO type housing or time
share / multi-shared interest properties, they are all BUSINESSES which provide temporarily
accommodations to travelers / tourists. At the expense of losing permanent housing. Driving
up the COST of remaining permanent housing. And causing pubic nuisance (mostly noise and
parking) problems so significant that our city actually needs a department to mitigate those
issues. Regardless of WHO pays for the investigation / mitigation process.
These types of housing situations are in fact no different than hotels / motels. And should be
regulated as such. Meaning they should only be in commercial zoned districts. They should be
REQUIRED to follow the same fire, safety, evacuation, emergency lighting regulations.
AND be required to offer some sort of ADA accommodations. As are hotels which struggle to
compete on the un-level playing field which city governments such as Palms Springs have
enabled.
Currently, there is not a single ADA compliant / wheelchair accessible short term rental
property to be found anywhere in Palm Springs. I brought this fact to the attention of our city
leaders years ago, during our STR committee meetings. And even suggested that the city offer
a reduction the the permit fee to any STR which meets certain ADA standards. Our mayor at
the time shut me down with a curt “not going to happen”! As a physical therapist with 47
years experience, who is now a disabled terminal cancer patient myself, I still find THAT
appalling.
I say a definite “NO” to allowing any proliferation of time share / multi-share housing in our
fine city. And ESPECIALLY in any residential neighborhoods.
Jeff Mauk
4941 Frey Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
415-533-4614
info@sfbackdoorboys.com
06/11/2025
Public Comment
Non-Agenda