HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015_04_01 Written Communications - Short-Term Rentals Regulation_Redacted
Written Communications for Item 3: Short‐Term Rentals Regulation Page 1 of 1
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Saratoga City Council
From: Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk
Date: April 1, 2015
Subject: Written Communications for Item 3: Short‐Term Rentals Regulation
After the agenda packet for the April 1, 2015 City Council Meeting was prepared, the City received
the enclosed written communications regarding Item 3: Short‐Term Rentals Regulation.
Saratoga California 95070
March 28, 2015
Dear City of Saratoga City Council:
I am traveling out of the country and unable to attend the city council meeting on April 1 to
discuss the matter of zoning for hotels in residential Saratoga. I am strongly supportive of not
only upholding but also enforcing current zoning rules.
I purchased my home on a quiet, treelined street with the expectation, in accordance with
Saratoga’s zoning, that this neighborhood would remain residential. Any change in policy to
allow hotels to operate, with neighbors renting their houses for less than 30 days, would
dramatically change the landscape of my neighborhood, inviting traffic, noise and strangers.
I encourage the City Council to carefully consider the implications of any policy change. If hotels
were allowed, then we are a commercial zone. Would I be permitted to open a store in my
house? A restaurant? A foot massage spa? I have ample space in my front yard to park 20+
cars, so as long as hotels are allowed, why would other types of businesses be excluded.
The city needs to take a stronger stance against the commercialization of residential zones. The
listing of vacation rentals is a mouse click away. The terms and conditions of the websites
(AirBnB, HomeAway, VRBO, for instance) specify that the user agrees that the listing conforms
to their city’s zoning ordinances.
Any Saratoga homeowner accepting reservations of less than 30 days is violating the terms and
conditions of these websites. The city ought to:
●Demand these companies (AirBnB, HomeAway, VRBO) require a minimum 30 day stay
on the booking calendar for any Saratoga address.
●Contact the Saratoga homeowners on these websites and reminding them of the city’s
zoning policy.
●Establish a clear schedule of fines for noncompliance.
Neighbors should not be responsible for collecting evidence to prove that hotels are operating
but rather it is the city’s responsibility, since these hotel advertisements are publicly available, to
enforce the codes to which we all agreed when we chose to buy in Saratoga.
I urge the city council to take a stand for maintaining our neighborhoods and against becoming
a commercial zone.
Sincerely,
Judy Chang
March 31, 2015
To: Saratoga City Council
From: Todd Beach
Saratoga, CA 95070
Re: Short-Term rental
We would like to respectfully voice our concerns if our neighbors are allowed the short-
term rentals (those less than 30 days), in residential zones, compromising the integrity of
our beloved neighborhood.
I have lived through and experienced this first hand. In the early stages of childhood, our
families all built our homes together (at the same time), which built a great sense of
community and ownership. We were a proud neighborhood. Over the years, many of
these families moved out and rented their homes, most of which were short term (6
months – 1 year). Over the course of appx. 5 years, we were forced to move, due to the
number of break-ins, crime, and most of all, the lack of integrity, caring, and over-all
sense of community.
Because of this childhood experience, my wife and I chose this Saratoga neighborhood,
with a high sense of integrity, community, and respect. We want to not only preserve this
community, but keep it for our kids in the next generation.
Thank you and Best regards,
Todd Beach
Proud Saratoga Resident