Petitioners, the RivCo Planning Commission will again take up the revised STR Ordinance next Wednesday May 18th. Still on the table are vital issues such as local enforcement and an overall cap on STR's. Please know that your emails to the planning commission have made a difference! Already there is serious discussion about having a local STR code enforcement officer placed here on "the hill". But nothing is final.
It is therefore important to send in another round of emails before next week's hearing to the planning department at planning@rivco.org with a copy to sjones@rivco.org; and, if possible attend the hearing in Riverside. You may also attend and speak to the commissioners by zoom or phone. (Links below)
Here are the suggested talking points:
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 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. Please mention this in your email.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS TO THE COUNTY. IT HAS AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Your 100% Local STR Solution Team