Residents urge council not to reopen short‑term rental amortization; council amends minutes to direct planning commission review

Dozens of San Clemente residents told the City Council on June 3 that short‑term lodging units have disrupted neighborhoods and that the council should not re‑open the amortization schedule that phases out those units.

Public speakers described repeated noise, late‑night parties, parking and safety problems they attribute to STLUs. “I would like to state that I am adamantly against any further debate or reviews of this topic and believe the city council should keep and carry on with the hard fought short term lodging and zoning amortization process in place,” said Matthew Fletcher, who identified himself as a resident of an R‑1 neighborhood. Chris Booth, representing 22 neighbors on Calle Cinaja and Via Bellina, said one nearby property “has repeatedly failed to properly screen her short term rentals” and cited late‑night parties, trespass and code citations. “Your duty as city council members is to protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Booth said.

Other speakers recounted safety incidents and legal costs. David Hurwitz said he spent about $600,000 fighting what he described as a sober‑living…