Dear Mr. Hansberger,

Next Tuesday, 8/22/06, you will vote on an ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 8 OF THE COUNTY CODE RELATIVE TO THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF PRIVATE HOMES AND TITLE 1 OF THE COUNTY CODE RELATIVE TO FEES

Jim and Barbara Mclean returned from your last supervisor meeting very disappointed. They said it sounded like they were the only people anywhere that wanted a stronger private home rental ordinance.

As you know, I met with you and spoke on this subject. I was sure you were in agreement at least with the need to require safe hot spas in rentals, but the ordinance attached to your agenda for next Tuesday makes NO mention of spas, and appears to be as weak in that area as the current Big Bear Lake ordinance. Do you know that I attended the Planning commission hearings and spoke to them? We spoke at several planning hearings until we convinced the commission this ordinance would not protect the neighborhoods or the visitors. They voted this down (without a quorum).

I know you have personally rented homes up here. You told me your wife (a doctor?) would not use the spa or the dishes because they were "not safe". Why then will you approve this ordinance?

Have you ever driven through Big Bear City? How’d it look to you? With the best weather, surrounded by the best skiing, fishing and hiking in the entire Inland Empire, did you want to spend the night there?

In the late 80s, I bought the only two motels in Big Bear City. I poured in money, as much as I paid for them, to make them nice (and meet county building and health requirements).

After 18 years, I’ve sold one at a loss and will soon sell the other (if I can). Cathy’s Cottages offers 7 of the highest quality units in the mountains and appraised at $1,000,000 in 1989.

How did your investments do over the last 18 years? I’m listed at $749,000. Your health department inspected me for visitor safety every year, but those visitors, not knowing this, have recently flocked to the thousands of private home rentals they found on the web, and that you’ve never inspected. Under this ordinance, will you inspect those homes for the same visitor safety?

We believe if you don’t provide for the safety of guests in your licensed lodgings you will some day be sued and found liable by some of them.

Your staff report says residents want this, but I believe they want something much stronger. On many weekends and holidays they have called to report obnoxious violations in their neighborhoods and received no help from anyone. Do you really think they want the visitors to leave commercial lodges and camp next door to them? NO. You are responding to pressure from the Real Estate and Resort Association group that currently runs the City of Big Bear Lake.

Your staff report says Bed and Breakfast and Lodging groups want to eliminate rentals except in commercial zones. Maybe some would like that, but as a group, we just want our competition to be as safe, under your guidelines, as we have to be.

Why will you pass an ordinance your planning commission rejected? There is a lot more of us than you think. The real estate industry is raising large dollars and hiring consultants to fight the new ordinance in Big Bear Lake because they know the residents will pass it! Don't you care about my family and those residents? I voted for you. 

Bob Pool, Owner
Cathy’s Country Cottages, Big Bear City, CA.