The June 2018 Primary election for San Diego City Council District 2 will prove a cross road in local politics. Do we choose a super majority at City Hall further polarizing our great City or do we seek moderation, compromise and collaboration between all citizens and our elected officials?
In San Diego, we have a new challenge. That challenge is for elected City leaders to respond to the question, “What should we do to resolve the short-term rental dispute?” The elected members of the San Diego City Council have a duty to respond to this issue. When competing rights are at stake, leadership requires we move forward in a constructive effort in responding with clarity to unify all stakeholders. My suggestion is to propose a resolution which will ultimately require discussion, investigation and your vote.
The resolution will authorize the Mayor to impanel a group of five, seven, or nine members a Blue Ribbon Panel if you prefer, to investigate this matter and report back to the City Council within 6 months of their being sworn in as panelists in order to prepare written recommendations in seeking a resolution to the Short-Term Vacation Rental issue. Real Estate agents, residents, lawyers and a government official from the City Attorney’s Office should be empaneled and given the funds to conduct their investigation and to write their report.
The opposing rights are these: The right of the owner of improved Real Property to rent and lease his or her property to a tenant. Secondly, adjacent Real Property owners have the rights of peaceful and quiet enjoyment, they have the right to expect that the local government protects them against elevated noise levels, destruction of property and for neighborhoods to be reasonably maintained. This not only includes street maintenance, sidewalk maintenance, a police presence but, also the quietude of a planned single family residential subdivision.
Both proponents of STVR’s and those in opposition to some legal restrictions have waited patiently for over three long years. Let us begin to resolve this matter constructively and collaboratively as equal partners with one goal in making and preserving San Diego’s quality of life for all those concerned. The time has come for action. Daniel Smiechowski is a candidate for San Diego City Council District 2.