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Santa Ana City Council <br />November 18, 2024 <br />Page 13 <br /> <br />The City Has Refused To Provide Evidence Surrounding its Treatment of STRs and the <br />Basis for Banning STRs in Violation of the California Public Records Act <br /> <br />In April 2024, a Public Records Act request was filed with the City in an effort to understand what <br />motivated the City a total ban on STRs. Over six months later, the City has still not <br />produced a response to the PRA. (See PRA 24-715.) The City has responded to over 1,000 PRA <br />requestAs such, the <br />City appears to be concealing the true motivations for seeking to ban all STRs in the City. To date, <br />the City has not provided any evidence to support its claim that STRs in the City have a negative <br />impact on public health, safety, and welfare, if any even exists. <br /> <br />We strongly urge the Council to refrain from taking any action on the proposed STR prohibition <br />until the City has responded to the Public Records Act request. <br /> <br />Proposed Path Forward <br /> <br />We urge the City Council to rescind the currently effective and illegally adopted Ordinance, reject <br />the Amended Ordinance, and direct Staff to work with all stakeholders to develop a new ordinance <br />that authorizes STRs to continue operating subject to reasonable regulations. Specifically, we <br />recommend establishing an <br />This type of regulation strikes the appropriate balance while maintaining the ability of STR owners <br />to operate in the City. <br /> <br />While the Rental Alliance is ready and willing to work with the City, for the reasons summarized <br />above, should the City Council move forward with adopting the Amended Ordinance we will <br />challenge this action in court to protect rights. <br /> <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br /> GAINES & STACEY LLP <br /> <br /> Alicia B. Bartley <br /> By <br /> ALICIA B. BARTLEY <br /> <br /> <br />cc: Jose Montoya (Via Email - jmontoya@santa-ana.org) <br /> Amy Hoyt (Via Email - Amy.Hoyt@bbklaw.com) <br /> Hannah Park (Via Email - Hannah.Park@bbklaw.com) <br /> <br />Attachments <br />Attachment A CAJA Environmental Services, Potential Significant Environmental <br />Effects of Banning Short-Term Rentals in the City of Santa and Requirement Require <br />Additional Environmental Analysis Under CEQA, November 14, 2024. <br />13 <br /> <br /> <br />