Letter: SLT VHR is not a regular bus stop
Publisher’s note: This is in response to Scott Ramirez’s letter.
Dear Mr. Ramirez,
Joshua Priou
My name is Joshua Priou and I manage the property that is located directly across the street from you, I have been the sole property manager since it became a vacation home rental in 2012. After reading your article I became quite saddened to hear of your concerns and I felt it was necessary to clarify and shed some light on your comments.
· The home was built in 2007 by a builder who chose to have his family live there. It only became a vacation rental after the new buyer purchased the home in 2011. It was not designed to house as many people as possible. On the contrary, it is only a three-bedroom home that can only house 10 occupants.
· Not that I necessarily agree with a chartered bus arriving in your neighborhood, in this situation it was the right thing to do. These guests actually booked five houses with our company, your neighbor being one of them. It was a youth group that was chaperoned, and the chartered bus was ideal to avoid parking issues. They only used the bus to drop off on Friday evening and pick up on Sunday morning. It is my understanding that these guests did not over occupy the home, did not create any unreasonable noise, there were no trash issues, and obviously there were no parking problems. The group also paid $964.44 in transient occupancy taxes to the city of South Lake Tahoe.
· I will comment that I am happy to hear you state “the owners are nice people” and “most of the visitors mind their manners.” But the front of your house has not become a bus stop. Rather, they parked across the street and only for a moment. I presume you will never find a chartered bus arriving at that home again.
· Under the current city of South Lake Tahoe VHR Ordinance Section 3.50.440 Conditions of Operations, Sub-Section O: “Parking of Commercial vehicle(s) on a vacation home property, except temporarily for durations of less than four hours, shall be prohibited.” The code states that a chartered bus dropping off and picking up a youth group is perfectly acceptable and not a violation of the VHR Ordinance.
· In 2017, this home only booked 70 nights of vacation rental guests. That means that 295 days of the year or 81 percent of the time, that home remained empty. I would think that your peace is overwhelming since you basically have an empty house across the street from you.
· Lake Tahoe Accommodations are great stewards in bringing good guests and nice families to our tourist destination but we only hear of all the negativity about vacation rentals. Based on stats from the city of South Lake Tahoe, 99 percent-plus of all vacation rental reservations do not cause any problems. Instead of hearing from the upset neighbors and the minor problems they are seeing let’s hear what some of the guests that have stayed at this home have said about visiting Lake Tahoe and enjoying it in a vacation rental.
Kathy R – Hercules, CA
07/12/2017
My family had a wonderful time. The house was great! I have been coming to Lake Tahoe since I was little, the house was in an area where I had never stayed. The area was great also, nice and quiet and great for taking walks in the evening time.
Veronica A – Salinas, CA
03/01/2016
This place is beautiful! Better than I expected great location only 15 minute drive to the casinos. We were there for 3 nights and I wish I could of been there longer. The home looks like new with beautiful ceilings and so much detail the floors are heated such a clean place. The rooms were perfect and the beds were so comfortable and cozy. We totally took advantage of the huge kitchen it had all the appliances you need. We enjoyed cooking there and saved a lot of money. I also was able to do a load of laundry they even have detergent for you. They provide the towels, toilet paper, and had enough house cleaning supplies. My kids had a blast in the backyard there was snow we also took a walk down the street there is an area that looks like a forest so it was exciting. Customer service was great very helpful and polite. We rented snowmobiles at a reasonable price $65 for two and 1/2 hour we had fun! I would totally recommend this home and there is nothing bad I can say except I’m never staying at a hotel from now on… I can’t wait to go back! By the way we went to the oyster bar at the Hard Rock Cafe for those who love oysters.
Morgan D – Turlock, CA
01/17/2015
Our stay at his location was by far a wonderful experience ! My family and I couldn’t have been happier to have chosen this cabin. It met all our needs which made our weekend trip so enjoyable. We loved it so much we are already planning our next trip and def booking this cabin again. I would def recommend this cabin for others to book, and thanks so much to Lake Tahoe Accommodations for your service.
Lorena V – San Pablo, CA
04/02/2014
This cabin was the best it was so beautiful. Very clean. the kitchen was well equipped with everything we needed. No need to worry about anything. The cabin was a great size for a big family. We are already planning are next trip. Also the people at Lake Tahoe Accommodations are very nice and helpful check in and check out. Was very easy, great trip we will be back.
You offered solutions to the VHR dilemma you are facing. I need to clarify:
1. All costs associated with responding to the VHR are covered by VHR fees. The city collects over $700,000 from VHR permit fees. These fees pay for enforcement officers, police, staff, city manager and city attorney. The city has been keeping track of these funds and they always have an overage.
2. Clean Tahoe is a nonprofit and do respond to all trash issues within the city limits, not just VHRs. There are fines associated with a trash violation that would be charged to the home owner to pay for their services.
3. There are five dedicated enforcement officers that are paid by VHR permit fees to patrol and respond to neighbor complaints. At this time there is an average of about one call per day to this enforcement team. Not sure if it is necessary to have five of them, the city is looking at this on a trial basis right now.
4. The management agent or owners are held accountable to inspect their VHRs and ensure they are meeting current guidelines. The home owner pays a fee to the city to send a building inspector to the home for safety concerns.
5. There is a process for residents to contest an existing VHR license. Since 2015, the city required a zoning administration hearing to allow residents to protest a new VHR application. The city provided this hearing at an extraordinary cost to the home owner. It has since been proven to be an unsuccessful program. Now, if a VHR creates three permit violations within a 24-month period, their license will be revoked and they will not be able to operate as a vacation rental any longer. These violations can be a public disturbance, noise, trash, parking, and over occupancy issues.
Mr. Ramirez, I am not sure of what your intentions were when you posted this letter to social media and then onto the local papers, but I would think it would be wise to research the information before writing about things you are unaware. I am sorry a bus pulled into your neighborhood for a short time to drop off and pick up chaperoned youth, but this letter has only sparked outrage in the community. Your findings are incomplete and unfounded as actual issues. Maybe it would be wise for you to make your voice heard in public hearings and with the City Council rather than hiding behind social media. Or schedule a meeting with me so that we can discuss our management program, explain how we have your neighborhood’s best interest in mind, and allow you to discuss your concerns of having a vacation rental across the street.
Joshua Priou, director of product development Lake Tahoe Accommodations
Mr Joshua Priou:
I have done my research and I am well aware of the regulations which I will cite point for point later in my reply. You mention the visit this past weekend, which we both agree met the letter of the regulations with the exception that 11 people self-reported having stayed at this home. How do I know? I spoke with both the bus driver and those leaving your property on Sunday. They reported having been a group from a Bay Area college dorm that had been delivered to multiple homes throughout South Lake Tahoe. Also, we agree that they were well behaved and generally one of the better groups.
What you neglect to include are previous visits that were not so wonderful. During past visits we have seen six to eight cars, boats in the street and 15 or more people arriving and disappearing into the house. We have seen maid visits last over-night and garbage left out for bears. None of which we have reported because we have tried to be good neighbors and respect the rights of the owners of the house. During the past New Year holiday we saw greater than 15 College kids arrive in eight cars. They arrived ahead of their chaperone and relieved themselves in the woods adjacent to the house. We warned your guests in person to follow the guidelines posted or they would be fined. We called the owner who I believe contacted you to ensure they were meeting the requirements cited and posted in their agreement. We did our best to ensure your business was not subjected to fines and adversely affected due to the actions of your guests. Rest assured, I will no longer fail to report violations.
Your description of the ideal Vacation Home paints a rosy if inaccurate picture. If you bother to read my letter to the City Council you would note that at no point did I suggest any law or regulation was broken. This is why I wrote them in the first place. You describe my letter as having incited an uproar while every other comment I have received has been complimentary in the restraint I applied to this same letter and the ‘tone’ being balanced. I suggest this issue has been simmering in our local community and my letter expressed the same frustration that many others are feeling. Our neighborhoods are being invaded. You can paint this experience any way you like including stating that these massive custom homes are raising our home values and bringing business to our town among other positive implications. What you fail to recognize is that this has become an ever increasing invasion of where real people live.
You cited the regulations so let’s go through them:
1. All costs associated with responding to the VHR ARE covered by VHR fees. The City collects over $700,000 from VHR permit fees. These fees pay for enforcement officers, Police, Staff, City Manager and City Attorney. The City has been keeping track of these funds and they always have an overage.
You say this covers the full costs. I may be wrong but I would be surprised if a full accounting of the costs to our town are truly covered by I will accept that I may be wrong on this point.
2. Clean Tahoe is a non-profit and DO respond to all trash issues within the City limits, not just VHR’s. There are fines associated with a trash violation that would be charged to the home owner to pay for their services.
My comments to the City suggested the Clean Tahoe Program receive funding to pickup excess garbage that is left in the street so that it would not be left out until garbage day (Thursday, in our neighborhood) and thus preventing your property from being fined.
3. There ARE 5 dedicated enforcement officers that are paid by VHR permit fees to patrol and respond to neighbor complaints. At this time there is an average of about 1 call per day to this enforcement team. Not sure if it is necessary to have 5 of them, the City is looking at this on a trial basis right now.
I agree that five dedicated enforcement officers is excessive. If management agents were consistent in inspecting their properties to ensure their guests were meeting the stated requirements, fewer police would be required and you would be charged less. In the motel industry, guests are directly observed entering and leaving their rooms. VHR guests arrive without anyone present from the management agent to ensure they are within their agreed limits in the number of guests or vehicles. It is up to the local population adjacent to your business to report when your customers are not complying with your requirements.
4. The management agent or owners ARE held accountable to inspect their VHR’s and ensure they are meeting current guidelines. The home owner pays a fee to the city to send a building inspector to the home for safety concerns.
As I stated in my previous comments. Rarely is there a representative from the management agent onsite ensuring that their guests are complying with their requirements. Only if the neighbors report an issue does anyone know if your limits are being met.
5. There IS a process for residents to contest an existing VHR license. Since 2015, the City required a Zoning Administration Hearing to allow residents to protest a new VHR application. The City provided this hearing at an extraordinary cost to the home owner. It has since been proven to be an unsuccessful program. Now, if a VHR creates 3 permit violations within a 24 month period, their license will be revoked and they will not be able to operate as a vacation rental any longer. These violations can be a public disturbance, noise, trash, parking, and over occupancy issues.
As I stated in my letter. There are no other options for local residence to contest a VHR for issues not covered in the three strikes or initial contracting phase. The home across the street became a VHR with no notice to the local residence. Most residence do not know a VHR is being setup until the signs go up and the visitors arrive.
I have tried to be fair in my comments. I believe there is room in our town for both local home owners and VHRs as there has been in the past. The explosion in the popularity of VHRs over our well used hotels and motels has caused these issues. It is this very success that has brought these problems. It is fair for local home owners to insist that VHR Owners and Management Agents take responsibility for their guests. It is reasonable to want Owners and/or Management Agents at least be present when their guests arrive to ensure their own restrictions are being followed. It is in your interest and it is in the interest of the residents whose neighborhood you are operating in.
Sincerely,
Scott Ramirez
You wrote a good letter, Scott. I am greatly disappointed by Mr. Piriou’s response. It demonstrates the complete lack of perspective that has become so prevalent in today’s world. He managed to miss or avoid every valid point you made. Thank you for your insight.
Scott I know your situation well. I have a vacation rental across from me that has an indoor pool and is a constant nightmare with yelling and screaming in the pool. I call the sheriff, I live in the County, all the time. Complaints are the only way to keep the VHR’s in line.
So, by not complaining, you become part of the problem. Lake Tahoe Accommodations, did you know Vail owns them ?, will not acknowledge any problems, because there are no complaints. Like 99% of VHR managers, LTA gives the keys to the renters and never checks on the home until the cleaners show up. You must complain, complain and complain. You are lucky to live in the city. I would think one of those $1000 fines would end all problems. Don’t give that illegal motel any breaks, complain, get them fined and maybe even get their permit revoked. Good Luck !
Correction to the above comment: Lake Tahoe Accommodations is owned by Jim Morris.
LTN staff
My mistake. Is it Accomodation Station that Vail bought ?
Yes, in 2010.
LTN staff
Thank you for your suggestions. I agree that by being a ‘good neighbor’ I have not helped my own problem. I have certainly learned my lesson and recommend that everyone report every issue or the VHR Management Company’s will take it as there is no problem. They seem to only respect being fined so that is where I go next.
If the VHR Management Companys bothered to take responsibility for the properties they manage this wouldn’t be as big an issue. Have someone meet the guests at the door, review the rules and make sure they at least start on the right foot. This would protect the property, prevent problems and reduce the number of overloaded VHR homes. It is good for them and good for the locals surrounding these homes. It is absurd to believe that the residents surrounding these VHRs are somehow responsible to enforce or account for VHR guests following VHR rules on VHR property. Taco Bell doesn’t require me to check that their occupancy meets the limits defined by the fire marshal… Why are neighbors being asked to run businesses they have no part of?
-Scott