The twenty-five member General Plan Advisory Committee has concluded its meetings.  They are submitting hundreds of recommendations about all aspects of County policy, including a single specific reference to vacation rentals.  Under the Goal of Strengthening the Local Economy, the following recommendation was made:   Item 6030: “Establish clear and predictable permitting processes and regulations for transient vacation rentals and Bed and Breakfast establishments and actively enforce those regulations.” 

    Although the phrase "actively enforce those regulations" was advocated by opponents of our industry, the statement (in its entirety) can be seen as favorable.  First, the statement appears in the context of "strengthening the economy" rather than appearing in another context, such as "limiting the visitor industry."  Second, a clear and predictable permitting process and regulations is exactly what we have been advocating.  Once such a process is in place, it should be enforced. 

    GPAC recommendations will be reviewed at public meetings before the Planning Commissions, and then the Council's Planning Committee, and finally the entire Council.  Since County zoning regulations must conform to the General Plan, I am grateful that the GPAC refrained from recommending prohibitions or restrictions which -- if adopted -- could have limited the Council's authority to adopt reasonable regulations.  Our thanks to Dave DeLeon for monitoring and reporting to us on GPAC progress, and to MVRA members who appeared at GPAC meetings or submitted written testimony in support of a reasonable outcome.