HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2021-01 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY EXPRESSING THE
CITY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR MEASURE B, A
REFERENDUM ON ORDINANCE NO. 842 OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL
CITY, ESTABLISHING MORE STRINGENT
REGULATIONS ON SHORT-TERM VACATION
RENTALS AND PHASING OUT PERMITS FOR
SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL EXCEPT IN
NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE SHORT-TERM
VACATION RENTALS ARE PERMITTED BY A
HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2020, the City Council unanimously adopted
Ordinance No. 842 substantially changing the City's regulations of short-term vacation
rentals (STVRs) to address resident concerns regarding the negative impacts STVRs
have on the community, including but not limited to noise, trash, parking and maintenance
issues, crime and demand for public safety services, and negative impacts to the
affordable housing stock; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 842 was the result of a lengthy process of soliciting
input from residents and STVR owners and operators regarding the quality of life issues
presented by STVRs, and represents what the City Council believes is an appropriate
change to the City's STVR regulations to protect the health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Cathedral City while also allowing STVRs to continue to operate in certain
areas subject to more stringent regulations to ensure that the STVRs are good neighbors
to the permanent residents that surround them; and
WHEREAS, STVR's have led to nearly two thousand complaints from residents
including loud parties that disrupt residents who have work and school the next day, leave
trash on neighborhood streets and occupy neighborhood parking spaces; and
WHEREAS, the City's existing policy will improve the safety of local neighborhoods
by reducing the number of unknown guests coming through the neighborhoods through
STVR's; and
WHEREAS, residents have felt unsafe by the dangerous and sometimes criminal
activity of short-term renters including an incident with multiple stabbings last year; and
WHEREAS, there is not enough housing available in Cathedral City and costs
continue to increase with short-term rentals exacerbating the situation by operating rental
properties like hotels and pushing out residents, working families and seniors; and
WHEREAS the City's existing policy address this problem by reducing the number
of short-term rentals making long-term housing available for more residents; and
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WHEREAS the City's existing policy address this problem by reducing the
number of short-term rentals making long-term housing available for more residents;
and
WHEREAS, the community has identified policy priorities to be addressed
including improving neighborhood safety, reducing criminal activity associated with
short-term vacation rentals, reducing noise impacts of short-term vacation rentals and
preserving neighborhood character; and
WHEREAS, a petition was circulated within the City to place the referendum on
the ballot with respect to Ordinance No. 842, and it was determined that the proponents
of the referendum petition obtained a sufficient number of signatures to place the
referendum on the ballot; and
WHEREAS, on December 2, 2020, the City Council considered whether to
repeal Ordinance No. 842 or submit the referendum on Ordinance No. 842 to the voters
at a special election on March 2, 2020 in accordance with California Election Code
requirements, and decided to call a special election for the referendum; and
WHEREAS, the County Registrar of Voters has designated the referendum as
Measure B; and
WHEREAS, this resolution came before the City Council on January 13, 2021 at
which time members of the public, including proponents and opponents of the
referendum, were free to comment on the referendum and this resolution.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows:
The City Council supports Measure B which, if approved by Cathedral City
voters, would enact Ordinance No. 842 in its entirety as approved by the City Council on
September 9, 2020. The City Council finds that approval of Measure B is in the best
interests of the residents of Cathedral City and will remedy the negative impacts STVRs
have on the quality of life in the City, including but not limited to noise, trash, parking
and maintenance issues, crime and demand for public safety services, and negative
impacts to the affordable housing stock.
The City Council further supports Measure B because approving Measure B will
avoid the ambiguities in the operational requirements applicable to STVRs that would
be created if Measure B is not approved. The City has a strong interest in ensuring that
its STVR regulations are clear and enforceable, and in avoiding ambiguities and
inconsistencies that could hamper the City's ability to enforce its STVR regulations and
possibly result in litigation.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Cathedral City held on this 13th day of January, 2021 by the following vote:
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AYES: 5 — Councilmembers Ross, Lamb and Carnevale; Mayor Pro Tem
Gutierrez and Mayor Gregory
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
AR 1
OR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLEC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
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