Michael Lustig will make a statement on behalf of the coalition and ask residents who and support it to stand up unity.
You don’t have to write a speech but if choose to speak these are the most important points:
1.) An Absolute and Hard NO to the Interim ZTA –
- This is another attempt to pass another version proposed ordinance from September 26, 2018.
- The residents have rejected and shut down this proposal down three times: May 7, 2018, September 26, 2018 and October 28, 2019
- This is item is very dangerous because it codifies and legalizes and creates permits for all currently existing STRS that the superseding version of the Santa Monica HSO that Council adopted on October 28, 2019 intends to take away.
- It does not provide the necessary framework for any enforcement.
- Passing it would open the door to an argument for grandfathering those existing units negating the entire 4 years we spent trying to pass effective regulations that will work.
2.) Adopt the six additional items proposed by the Coalitions Petition –These items:
- Prohibit parties, events, receptions and all other commercial uses during the occupancy of guests rented as an STR.
- Bolster the tools for enforcement.
- Create the budget for 2 dedicated STR Compliance Officer to be hired and trained during the grace period and to available 24/7 nights and weekends to answer calls, investigate and to cite for violations.
- Enforcement and oversight of the compliance should be delegated to Planning Commission
3.) And most importantly Council must control the clock.
- The draft must go to Planning Commission in January of 2020
- First reading by Council in late January or February 2020
- Second reading and passage by Council before April 1st
- Allow for a six month grace period with and set the implementation date for October 1, 2020 (Prior to the election)
