By Kristina Pritchett
During Tuesday night’s Council meeting, Council members agreed to move the short-term rental agenda item to the Sept. 6 meeting.
Originally, the short-term rental ordinance reading was scheduled for Sept. 20, but after multiple residents expressed their viewpoint on the matter Tuesday night, Councilman Joe Muller made the motion to move up the date.
In July, the City Council tabled a second reading of an ordinance for a second time. The ordinance would allow for short-term rentals in all of the zoning districts where residential uses are allowed.
The Council tabled the item twice, so they could hear more input from residents.
The first reading of the ordinance was introduced in December 2013, and was followed by a second reading in January 2014, authorizing staff to submit the proposed Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) to the California Coastal Commission for its approval and certification.
On March 20, 2015, after requesting additional information from the city, the Commission deemed the LCPA complete. In April 2016, the Commission conducted a hearing and approved the city’s LCPA with suggested modifications.
The city introduced a first reading with the modifications during the May 17 meeting.
Residents who were for, and against, the rentals stood up during public comment Tuesday night.
Miriam Rupke, a Capistrano Beach resident, told the Council she owned a duplex and one of the ways she can afford the house is to rent out the second portion of the house to vacationers.
“We get a lot of family members that come and enjoy Dana Point,” Rupke said. “The way they’re able to afford to travel to Dana Point is by having the opportunity to stay in a home that has a kitchen. Not everyone can afford to stay in a hotel in Dana Point.”
The City Council will meet Tuesday, Sept. 6 in City Hall.
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