Petitioners, many have asked how the planning commission hearing went this past Wednesday. Here is an update: reasonably well but it is clear we must continue to fight for 1) a 10% cap on the # of STR's in our community; and 2) an "on the hill" office for enforcement of the new rules. 

IT IS CLEAR OUR CAMPAIGN HAS HAD AN IMPACT. OUR EMAILS HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE SO WE MUST CONTINUE TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME.

Please send an updated email to planning@rivco.org ASAP with a copy to sjones@rivco.org. Here is some suggested verbiage for the two key points mentioned above:

A 10% CAP ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STR'S IN THE 92549 ZIP CODE:

We are a small community of 3,600 homes which, due to county, state and federal land preservation and water scarcity, does not have the ability to grow. Thus, we must have a cap on STR’s. Right now there are approximately 350 registered and 150 non registered STRs in Idyllwild/Pine Cove . A 10% cap (360) is more than reasonable given that other communities such as Palm Springs with all their STR problems are at 6.6% and La Quinta’s most saturated neighborhoods are at 8%.

Because of our growth constraints every home we lose to an STR means exactly that, one less home that cannot be replaced. Less people to volunteer for the Friends of the Library, the Arts Council, Rotary Club, etc. We are a community that thrives and survives on volunteers as much as tourism. A cap is required to keep the balance between tourism and community intact. 

LOCAL "ON THE HILL" ENFORCEMENT: 

Given the number of STRS in Idyllwild/Pine Cove (and the revenue generated to the county) we should/need to have a local enforcement office up here; without enforcement the new ordinance with has no teeth. Currently the county has office space available at 25380 Franklin Rd, Pine Cove/Idyllwild where enforcement can be housed.

THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS TO THE COUNTY. IT HAS AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Your 100% Local STR Solution Team