Neighbors press council to limit short‑term rentals near schools; council asks staff to research approaches used elsewhere

Neighbors of Magah (Maga) Elementary School and other residents told the council that a recently permitted short‑term rental on Riviera Drive advertises access to the school and draws safety concerns.

Assistant planner Samuel Funes gave a program update: the city currently has 32 active STR permits issued during the 2024–25 fiscal year, one pending application, and 17 applicants on a waitlist and explained permitting and inspection steps. “The ordinance allows a maximum of 12 guests at any location at 1 time,” Funes said while summarizing occupancy and inspection requirements.

Several residents described frequent turnover, daytime and overnight visitors, on‑site motor homes and noisy activity across from the school, and asked the council to restrict STRs on street segments immediately adjacent to the elementary school. A resident who lives across the street said the STR property lists the school as an “amenity” and warned that advertising proximity to children is particularly concerning.

Council members discussed available tools. City staff and the city attorney noted that the Coastal Development Permit process applies to land‑use changes in the coastal zone and that the council retains authority to adopt local restrictions but may need Coastal Commission approval for certain coastal‑zone land‑use changes. Councilmember Senecal moved, and Councilmember Wong seconded, a direction to staff to research how other cities define school proximity restrictions and to return with draft language and legal analysis; the motion passed by roll call (3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain).

Why it matters: STRs touch land‑use and public‑safety concerns in residential neighborhoods. Residents asked for a narrowly tailored policy that would block STR permits on streets immediately adjacent to an elementary school; council asked staff to return with options after reviewing other municipalities’ approaches.