Some locals hope to see red

The areas in red are currently zoned single-family residential and do not allow nightly rentals. These areas may be opened up to nightly rentals pending what is expected to be lengthy and contentious public debate. (Map courtesy TOML)

Where others see only hassle

In an effort to conjure a civic brainstorm, Sandra Moberly, Senior planner for the Town of Mammoth Lakes, met with the Tourism and Recreation Commission members on Tuesday at suite Z. Though seemingly mind-numbing, the purpose of this agenda item was to discuss questions that may need to be included in an initial study/review that would ultimately allow transient rentals of single family homes (SFR) through a re-zoning ordinance. The Commission and Moberly discussed questions that may need to be included in the intial study before it can later be opened to public comment and subsequently updated in the official ordinance.
The study which is being conducted by the Planning Commission is evaluating what kind of effect the SFR would have on our local economy and current residential zones. Some of the questions that are already in the initial staff report are: Should an effort be made to involve second home owners? How would SFR affect the lodging industry? Is transient rental appropriate in all residential zones? Commission member Teri Stehlik speculated that DIF fees would have to be re-visited since residential zones would become commercial, and that renters would have to get some sort of license and then pay a TOT. The study is being financed through the town of Mammoth Lakes rapidly depleting General Fund.
The initial staff report pointed out, “Residents have voiced their concerns over illegal transient rental and the loss of neighborhood character due to traffic, noise, and other impacts. The town has had a difficult time enforcing transient occupancy requirements due to lack of staff and the fact that illegal transient occupancy is difficult to prove in court.” Currently, the method in which this code is enforced is through a letter to the property owner by the town asking the owner to cease the rental. If the property owner does not comply, then we get into fines and police tactics.
The Commission concluded that the enforcement of illegal renters is currently inadequate. Commission Director Danna Stroud commented that, “the infrastructure for enforcing SFR needs to be established before we move forward.”
The Tourism and Recreation Commission wrapped up this agenda item with Commission member Knud Svendsen asking the question, “Do you think this issue will be heavily contested by the public?” In his typically booming voice, Commission Chair Bill Sauser responded, “Ooooh yeah.”