Capping Palm Springs vacation rentals at 2,500 would be arbitrary, harm locals

In 2018, Palm Springs voters rejected a ban on short-term vacation rentals. Now, a working group has proposed an arbitrary limit, primarily fueled by a vocal minority that has consistently sought to undermine that vote.

The group’s proposal of 2,500-permit limit and a 10% neighborhood limit is flawed. The city council should think about the disparate impact that an arbitrary limit may have on individual households in neighborhoods that vary widely in size and boundaries.

According to the working group, Palm Springs has 34,794 households, so a 2,500 freeze represents 7%. This number is inconsistent with the 10% limit the group proposes. Using that logic, shouldn’t the limit be closer to 3,400?

One consideration missing is the impact on residents who occasionally use their home as a vacation rental. Critics cast the debate as residents versus non-residents, but an arbitrary cap on new rentals would introduce instability for some Palm Springs residents. Entering a period of economic uncertainty, the council should support local households by exempting full-time residents from any limit.

Many residents are fortunate to be able to live without vacation rental income. But others are barely holding onto their dream of living in Palm Springs.

This arbitrary limit is the wrong decision at the wrong time.

Ken Priore, Palm Springs

If Measure A passes in La Quinta, I'll be forced to sell my home.

I am a part-time resident of La Quinta and love this city where I grew up. When we’re away, we rent our home short-term to help pay our mortgage. We understand the arguments against STRs and agree with some of them. However, the problem is investors who buy homes for the sole purpose of using them as STRs, with no personal stake in neighborhoods. We know our neighbors, check in with them to see that our guests are behaving, and have strict rules limiting reservations to five or fewer people and no more than two cars. It’s important to us to be good neighbors.

If Measure A passes, we will have to sell our home. Full-time rental is not an option for us, because we want to continue part-time residency. If Measure A passes, a flood of homes will go on the market in La Quinta (including ours), right when mortgage rates have surpassed 7% and demand has gone cold. When the housing market tanked in 2008, the area was full of empty homes that sat on the market for ages. Nobody wants that again. Please vote No on Measure A!

Michelle McCue, La Quinta

No on La Quinta’s Proposition A

In 2016 my father died, leaving his children with our family vacation home in La Quinta. As his personal representative, I was advised by my lawyers to sell the property to avoid family conflict.

My childhood memories were too important to “sell,” so I declined the advice and began utilizing Airbnb. Beyond the normal holding costs, all income has gone toward support staff and taxes, as well as upgrades, many of which have positively impacted curb appeal. I have yet to take out a profit.

If things change, our local support staff, businesses, and tax funding would suffer. Also, my father’s grandchildren may lose the opportunity to grow up visiting the “desert house” he built, as they do now.

I believe the N4N campaign to restrict homeowner rights is short-sighted. New regulations ensure our neighborhoods will remain safe, quiet, and friendly for all. Complaints have trickled down to nearly a halt.

With inflation, recession, and an uptick in crime, I pray that the voters of La Quinta recognize the value that STVRs bring to the city. Save jobs, support the city, and please vote no on A.

Morgan Myrmo, La Quinta

Defacing or stealing political yard signs is despicable

It’s a pathetic — but predictable — part of every campaign season. Some small-minded person(s) who disagree with an issue or candidate’s yard sign deface it — or worse, steal it.

Defacing political signs is a despicable, cowardly act by those who do not have the courage to stand up for their own views. The most courage that person can summon up is to sneak in the dark of night and deface or steal the sign. If you want to support a candidate, put up your own sign. Don’t take other signs down.

This act is also illegal. Taking a political sign amounts to larceny, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine. Those who damage signs can be charged with vandalism, a misdemeanor.

Political yard signs are an expression of the owner’s political views. That freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution. It’s a basic right of all Americans.

So let’s stop the thefts and defacing and let voters have their say with yard signs. These signs are part of the political process. Anyone who steals or defaces them is not only spineless but also does not understand one of the most basic freedoms of that process.

Robert F. Sylk, La Quinta

We need Will Rollins in Congress

We in the Coachella Valley have a critical decision to make to safeguard our neighbors as well as ourselves. Proven leader U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz needs a good and smart colleague to continue excellent national service to our now divided area.

New California congressional districts mean many valley residents will wake up after this November 2022 election day with new representation. For the new California 41st District, we must make that person be Will Rollins.

The 2020 Census changed our lives, as has the U.S. Supreme Court and the aptly named “Big Lie.” Now reliably blue Palm Springs is back swimming in a sea historically known for red and purple voters. Facts tell the truth. Elections are not won by Palm Springs alone.

Election ballots will soon be arriving in our mailboxes. Good-hearted voters in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta need to rise to support human rights and progress. Let’s work and vote together to elect Will Rollins to collaborate with Dr. Raul Ruiz and continue many good works on everyone’s behalf.

Kevin A. Johnson, Palm Springs

Mike Duran a great choice for DSUSD board

Throughout our journeys in life we get to meet, speak and interact with people who assist us in shaping, developing and impacting our lives. One such person that I have had the privilege to meet and get to know over the years is Mike Duran, who attended the schools in Desert Sands Unified School District in elementary, junior high, and Indio High.

As a high school counselor for 30 years at Coachella Valley High School, and the boys’ varsity tennis coach at Coachella Valley High School in Coachella for 35 years, it became apparent to me over that span of time that students respond to a multitude of experiences, both positively and negatively.

I have become aware of the relationship that Mike has had with his student-athletes in coaching swimming and water polo. With this example of success, and as I have observed his commitment to the Eagles Lodge, it is obvious that his sincerity, credibility, integrity, and reputation have developed into a hallmark of character. Mike’s work ethic, commitment to detail, sensitivity to others, and professional approach to people in the DSUSD and situations make him an ideal candidate for the position as a board member in DSUSD.

Larry Y. Salas, Coachella

Mike Duran is a strong advocate for students, teachers

It is an honor to hear that Mr. Michael Duran is running for Desert Sands Unified School Board. He is a strong advocate for students and educators as an educator himself.

I had the privilege to work with Mr. Duran at Indio High School. He did an amazing job helping our students get college applications and financial aid applications filled out. He also supported students with their social-emotional health. He was an amazing product of DSUSD himself and returned to the district as an educator and then counselor.

He knows what students need to succeed: caring and supportive staff, amazing educators and support services. As a former teacher and a counselor in a neighboring district, he knows that educators and support staff also need to have a supportive voice so that they can give their best to the students and parents of DSUSD.

Excellence in education will be what you all will get with Michael Duran as a board member.

Rosa DiBello, Cathedral City

Our actions in a time of historic drought speak volumes

Thank you for republishing the article "Water is the Life of the Reservation" that describes the oppressive impact of water scarcity on the Tule River Tribe in Tulare County. We should be ashamed of our failure to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.

Next, contrast the tribe's urgent need for clean water with our wasteful use of water here in the Coachella Valley.

The City of Rancho Mirage has approved construction of a large lagoon at Cotino, Disney's planned development of Section 31 across Bob Hope Drive from Sunnylands.

Keep in mind, the Rancho Mirage Planning Commission and City Council let this move forward in a time of historic drought, while the reservoirs at Lake Powell and Lake Mead have fallen to their lowest levels in history, and California and other members of the Colorado River Compact anticipate large reductions in water allocations.

Is this the height of ignorance, arrogance or greed, or all three?

Marty Strelecky, Rancho Mirage

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Letters: short term vacatio rentals palm springs la quinta