Vacation rentals in an LIA zone

On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, a public hearing was held at the
Board of Supervisors chambers in Santa Rosa. One of the agenda
items was a discussion of amending the General Plan to include some
properties that had previously been used as vacation rentals whose
underlying zoning is LIA (Land Intensive Agriculture). Said zoning,
LIA, was intentionally not included as a permitted zoning
designation to carry out that activity. Discussion was held
offering a possible compromise to allow smaller parcel sizes of
perhaps two acres up to 10 acres located within the LIA zoning to
participate in the vacation rental activity. In order to be
included, however, an Amendment to the General Plan would be
necessitated.
After listening to the matter discussed from PRMD staffers
(Jennifer Barrett and Dave Hardy), the Board of Supervisors and
general public, I hold steadfast in my belief that the use of a
property as a vacation rental is not incompatible with agricultural
usage. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth.
In order to build a residence on a property, the property owner
went through a rigorous permit process and was granted an occupancy
permit once the residence was fully signed off. Whether a property
owner chooses to occupy the residence full time or part time,
whether the owner invites guests to spend the night or whether the
owner decides to rent the property for a fee should be entirely the
property owner’s choice. Rules are already in place dealing with
vacation rental usage, so I don’t see any need for further
restrictions or eliminating a zoning designation such as LIA. Two
other like-kind zoning designations, DA (Diverse Agriculture) and
LEA (Land Extensive Agriculture) are not subject to such
exclusions.
Using a property as a vacation rental offers individuals from
out of the area a unique opportunity to come up to the “Wine
Country” to experience first hand one of the major resources and
treasures found in Sonoma County. My contention here is that not
only is use of a property as a vacation rental compatible with
agriculture, it is absolutely vital to secure its future. What
would the effects be if lodging were not made available for events
such as Passport Weekend, Barrel Weekend, Taste of Sonoma and the
like without places for visitors to enjoy an overnight stay? It’s
quite plausible that interest in participating in these events
would significantly drop off.
I urge you to strongly consider including parcels of any size
located within the LIA zoning for participation in the vacation
rental program. This positive act will help create new jobs,
sustain employment, bring needed revenues to our County through a
TOT tax and give a huge boost to agriculture as well as giving
guests to our community a wine country experience that will build
lasting memories.
By the way, it will not cost the County any money. As for the
3.5 full time employees considered to be hired under the Economic
Development Strategy and Jobs Plan at a cost of $600,000 annually,
the cost will be borne by Transient Occupancy Tax Funds. Do you see
a win-win here?
Ken Spadoni is a Healdsburg resident.