"I recommended to the board and strongly support the administrative use
permit process. This process will allow the county to determine the
number of vacation rentals, their locations, and their owners and
agents. The county will be able to document the number of disturbances,
which rentals, if any, are causing the disturbances, and appropriate
remedies to reduce or eliminate complaints. The county will also be
able to evaluate the number of disturbances caused by secondary and
primary residences."
In an earlier article written by the Copper Gazette Tryon clarified an administrative use permit would include occupancy limitations, watercraft
limitations per dock, quiet hours and a 24 hour contact . “I am not comfortable going from lasse
faire to a complete ban. We need more data to identify the problem or if a
problems exists.” Tryon also pointed out
that there is a hotel and a campground on Lake Tulloch - a public reservoir -
that impacts the waterway without known data of the impact.
Russ Thomas: (via email)
I've heard impassioned arguments that vacation rentals are not a problem at Lake Tulloch, however, the fact that four out of the five subdivisions surrounding the lake have prohibitions on the rentals, paints a far different picture. I sympathize with property owners who feel that they have the right to rent their properties, but I also sympathize with neighbors who have to deal with the nuisances created by renters. Of course, I am also aware that many of the nuisance complaints are being directed at properties that are not rentals. The bottom line: It is the unacceptable behavior that is causing the problem.
Seemingly, the question of the short-term rentals is already 80% resolved -- only Copper Cove still allows the rentals. However, the overall nuisance problem will not be resolved, or controlled, until the Board of Supervisors adopts a Nuisance / Noise Ordinance, a task that they promised to achieve back in 2009. Without such an ordinance the Sheriff's Department doesn't have the proper tools to punish the unacceptable behavior. Obviously, the ordinance is over-due, and the citizens should make it clear that they're tired of waiting.
Debbie Ponte : (via email)
It
certainly seems this has been an issue in the area for quite some time
and has reached a "boiling" point for many residents around and/or near
the lake. I have personally witnessed first hand the "wild west"
conditions on Lake Tulloch during the Summer of 2010 and can relate to
the residents that are at the 'end of their rope" and looking towards
the county for assistance. I believe they have exhausted most of their
resources at the community level to deal with the issue and certainly
are justified to ask the County for assistance. I commend the work of
the Lake Tulloch Alliance as it demonstrates the proactive efforts to
help maintain the integrity of the lake and surrounding area.
I believe the County needs to take immediate
action to review the current zoning and codes to ensure and enforce
compliance as it seems to be me there are a number of violations in this
area. A more in depth study should take place to review land use
zoning and municipal codes and perhaps modify zoning/codes to reflect
the desired use of the home and/or area. For instance - if a home
intended for single family use is going to be used for commercial
purposes that zoning/codes/use permits must be utilized to ensure proper
use/compliance. In addition, these issues certainly need to be
addressed at the Copperopolis Community Plan level (currently in
progress) so that residents speak up and make their wishes known as to
how they want their community to look like in the future - specifically
in/around the Lake Tulloch area.
In the short term, I believe (law and
homeowners) enforcement issues needs to be proactive in/around the lake.
I recognize law enforcement resources are limited but public safety is a
main concern for the homeowners in this area and I would hope for a
joint effort of homeowner assn's, local law enforcement and citizens
that could a working relationship to create a program to help deter
potential problems with boating, sanitation, alcohol consumption. etc.
in/around the lake.
While this issue won't be solved "overnight", I
would make this issue a priority and continue to collaborate and bring
the various groups to the table to work on solutions to find compromise
and balance.
Responses were posted in the order they were received.
Responses were posted in the order they were received.
