PPCC Talks Short-Term Rentals

By DEBORAH STAMBLER | Contributing Writer

At the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) meeting on May 12, nominations for upcoming officer elections were announced, the new PPCC website was unveiled and a representative from Councilmember Mike Bonin’s office presented on the issue of short-term vacation rentals.

The election of new officers will take place at the PPCC meeting on June 9. Sue Kohl, Chair of the PPCC Nominating Committee, announced the committee’s nominees as follows: President Maryam Zar, Vice President George Wolfberg, Treasurer Richard Cohen and Secretary Michael Soneff.

Zar currently holds the position of PPCC Vice President in addition to many other volunteer and leadership positions in the community.

She has been a strong, committed force with her work on the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness.

Wolfberg has served on PPCC and in the community in a wide array of roles for many years. He is currently At Large Representative and active in AYSO.

Cohen currently serves as PPCC Treasurer. His past involvement with PPCC extends to other roles and committees including PPCC President and the Bylaws and Nominating Committees.

Soneff would be a new officer to the PPCC if elected. He currently serves as 2nd Alternate At Large Representative. As a member of the Communications Committee he played a key role in designing the new PPCC website.

Nominations for officer elections will also be taken at the May 26 PPCC meeting in accordance with the bylaws.

Tricia Keane, Director of Land Use and Planning for Councilmember Bonin, led a presentation about the proposed ordinance for short-term rentals in Los Angeles.

Comments on the draft proposal will be taken until June 6 and should be directed to Matthew Glesne at matthewglesne@lacity.org.

Short-term rentals have been a controversial topic in many communities.

Keane stressed that in drafting the proposed ordinance, the city has tried to incorporate lessons learned in other communities such as San Francisco.

She said they are trying to “strike a balance” in preserving housing for residents and participating in the “shared economy” the rentals represent.

PPCC board member questions for Keane focused on specific points in the ordinance that are not in line with the PPCC position on short-term rentals.

President Chris Spitz went point by point in her discussion with Keane to determine which issues are worth pursuing and where compromise might be reached.

The ordinance will be presented on May 21 at Deaton Auditorium across from City Hall. Public comments are invited. For more information, see the PPCC website and the Department of City Planning website (cityplanning.lacity.org).

The new PPCC website can be found at pacpalicc.org. The next PPCC will be held at the Palisades Branch Library on May 26.

Proposed amendments to the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance/Baseline Hillside Ordinance (BMO/BHO) are slated for discussion. (See “Local Architect Breaks Down Anti-Mansionization Amendment” on page 6.)