The “OB vibe” is in danger, as an unregulated and alarming increase of short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) poses a threat to our quality of life and OB’s character. The objects and purposes of the Ocean Beach Town Council are to express the will, to represent the welfare, and to sustain the spirit of the community of Ocean Beach, and therefore the OBTC must address this issue that weighs heavily on the future of our town. As a community that has the highest percentage of renters to home-owners in our region (85 percent are renters), Ocean Beach residents are heavily impacted by the area’s steady decline of rental housing as more and more units have become permanent vacation rentals. The already high cost of living here continues to skyrocket as developers choose to place their housing availabilities on travel websites such as AirBnB, instead of putting them up for rent. This not only causes an influx of tourists which degrades the tight-knit, neighborly community that we love, it also perpetuates a shortage of rental options, pushing local residents out in favor of turning a quick profit. Although the City Council and Mayor Faulconer’s office have expressed their intent to not enforce regulations on the amount of short-term vacation rentals in San Diego, the Ocean Beach Town Council continues to oppose the increase in STVRs in our community, and push for legislation that will effectively limit the number of STVR units that will be allowed in our neighborhoods. This is not aimed at local residents that wish to supplement their income by renting out a spare room here and there, but towards the home buyer who purchases a house solely to use as a STVR and is never on-site, or the developer that turns their entire apartment complex of 20-plus units into a short-term vacation rental property. Recent reports show an increase in the number of these properties throughout our community. One local resident who has lived and raised her children in the same rented home for nearly 20 years was ousted by a STVR interest that offered the landlord a rent of several hundred dollars more than what was currently being paid by the resident. Their intent is to rent the property from the landlord, then turn around and sublet it as an STVR. Not only are developers buying properties in OB to rent out to tourists, now they are simply able to rent the property and turn a profit by re-renting it on AirBnB, VRBO and similar sites. The OBTC will be providing a forum on this topic and other important community issues at our monthly meetings throughout 2017, and we encourage your attendance to make your voice heard. The next OB Town Council meeting will take place 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. The object and purpose of the Ocean Beach Town Council is to express the will and represent the welfare of the community of Ocean Beach by providing a forum for the discussion of community issues, communicating the views and needs of the community to the appropriate agencies, and promoting the general betterment and beautification of Ocean Beach.The OB Town Council hosts public meetings on the 4th Wednesday every month except November and December. Regular speakers include local leaders, political, business and law enforcement representatives, as well as members from all corners of the Ocean Beach community. Whether you’re a long-time OBcean or just want to learn more about OB, all are welcome! Meetings are located at the Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
