March 31, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Another Scheme to Leave Residents Behind!

SM.a.r.t. was recently made aware of a new home-sharing scheme. It appears to be quite straightforward. Go to Ikea, add a lot of bunk beds to your house or apartment, and list your new hostel or bunk bed hotel on AirBnb.com and Relaxtay.com. Voila, a new business plan and a bargain for tourists stopping in Santa Monica. After all, why sleep at the Fairmont Miramar or Shutters when you can stay with thirty-six new friends at a Santa Monica landmarked residence. Even better, you have two choices in our town. You can sleep in the exclusive North of Montana neighborhood, or you can choose a trendy Sunset Park address. Located at 2002 20th St, Santa Monica 90404 (LIC: 231214) or 710 Adelaide Place, Santa Monica 90402 (Lic: 231764) check-in is at 3 p.m. and check out the next morning at 11 a.m. 

Now, SM.a.r.t. wants to be crystal clear. We are not advocates for this scheme. We agree with the guest author of this column, who is a neighbor of one of these “bunk bed” home-share residences that this practice must stop in Santa Monica. NOW! The operator, Ryusel “Ryan” Shimizu, claims that he is “on premises” during the stays. Considering he is operating two overnight businesses in Santa Monica and two more in Westwood he must have near magical powers.  The City of Santa Monica issued Shimizu’s business licenses while complaints were being made to code enforcement. It is incumbent upon the city to revoke the licenses and end this neighborhood encroachment. 

Here is George Preonas to tell you more. 

Three weeks ago, the doorbell rang as we were hosting some friends for dinner. To my shock and dismay, there was a young bearded man at the door attempting to unlock my front door with his cell phone. He was looking for the house next door that lists a price of $49 for an overnight stay in a “shared house.” This intrusion was not a mere inconvenience; it was downright chilling.

That house is next door to us is in a neighborhood zoned for single-family residences. In it’s listing on Airbnb the “host” claims to have several other similar properties for similar rentals, including one other in Santa Monica. Photos the host has posted show an array of eight queen size bunk beds, each to accommodate two guests. That is sixteen guests in a single, modestly sized bedroom. His advertisement says that with his additional bedrooms he’s prepared to “host” up to 36 overnight guests at $49 each. With three shared bathrooms. Here’s what he says on Airbnb: “You will share the sleeping space with other guests, which may be either male or female. With this reservation, you reserve ONLY ONE bed. If you come with two people in total, you must share the bed you booked. The maximum of 36 people in total can stay at the same time combining all rooms.” The ad continues, “You should expect the bathrooms and the common areas to get a bit busy, especially on weekends.” This warning is attached:  “DO NOT EXPECT that you will share this house with a small number of people when you book.”  There are three bathrooms in the house, and they are all shared. 

The result is a steady stream of transient guests. They arrive at all hours in Ubers, scooters, bikes, etc., leaving beer cans and cigarette buts (as well as the scooters) on our sidewalks and streets. We live on a quiet street where the neighbors on our block have all known each other for years. They uniformly are opposed to this nuisance.

On investigating further, I learned that an investor in Houston, Texas, had sold the house to another investor at the same address in Houston. Neither the seller nor the owner has ever lived in the house. The “host” never lived there before it was “converted” into this illegal hotel. It is a purely commercial operation, not a homeowner or renter seeking some modest help with the mortgage or rent. This Air BnB listing appears to be a direct violation of the Santa Monica Municipal Code. It merely states,  “No person shall operate a single-family residential property for a commercial purpose.”

I promptly filed a complaint with the City of Santa Monica folks in charge of enforcing the Home-Share Ordinance. Three weeks have passed, and the City has informed that the “host” received a business license permitting this activity. It appears that he is attempting to exploit a loophole in the Ordinance, as it imposes no limits whatsoever on how many occupants may be in a “home share.” If that’s true, any home, anywhere in Santa Monica, could be converted into a hotel. All you have to do is find a “host” to pretend to live there while operating a hotel. You could rent to dozens of guests each night and a $49 a pop you can make thousands of dollars a week. It won’t be long before additional real estate speculators jump on this bandwagon.

Our municipal government should act promptly to shut down this activity and preserve the essence of our neighborhoods that make Santa Monica an attractive place to live and raise a family. It can start by merely enforcing its own Municipal Code. If it has to close any loopholes in the Home- Share Ordinance, it should do so in all due haste. A good model might be the new Los Angeles Ordinance, which went into effect on July 1. That provides a limit of 120 days for any home share guests and provides for fines of up to $1,000 per day on the hosting platforms such as Airbnb that participate in violating the restrictions. Airbnb, of course, is as equally guilty as the speculators who have established this hotel. Acting as agents, Airbnb collects the money and handles all the financial transactions, including, of course, receiving their commissions for acting on behalf of the host. Only substantial penalties and enforcement will curb the eagerness of Airbnb (and other ‘disrupters”) to destroy communities for its financial gain.

In the forty-five years, I have lived here, I have seen the quality of life deteriorate little by little each year. It seems that Santa Monica is in the thrall of the tourist and development industries.   Developers will continue to build as long as they believe this is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  However, there is no corresponding increase in our infrastructure. Like Venice, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and other cities, Santa Monica has become overrun by tourists. Residents in those cities have abandoned their homes to the tourist economy and become ghost towns when the tourists leave. Several major European cities are now establishing limits on the tourism boon so that residents will come first and have livable neighborhoods. The assault on our local community is in full swing. Santa Monica needs to prove that our residents matter by squelching this new threat to our residential and apartment neighborhoods. 

By George Preonas for SM.a.r.t. (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow)

Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Ron Goldman FAIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect, Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Planning Commissioner, Phil Brock, Santa Monica Arts Commission. For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

in News
Related Posts

Peace Activist and Artist Marissa Rubin to Be Honored With ‘Tree of Gratitude’

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Tree to be planted in memory of Rubin’s life and work on Earth Day in Palisades Park By Keemia Zhang...

Santa Monica’s The Daily Pint Reopens Following Extensive Renovation

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Long-standing pub boasts over 500 whiskeys, rotating selection of craft beers, and improved facilities under new ownership The Daily Pint,...

Over 100 Organizations Unite to Oppose Kroger-Albertsons Merger

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Critics say the proposed merger, which is currently under review by the FTC, would create a monopoly in many areas...

New Neapolitan Pizza Concept, Bar Monette, to Open in Santa Monica on April 7

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Bar Monette to feature tapas and wine bar with a mid-century library-inspired interior, with Neapolitan pizza Neapolitan pizza fans, get...

Survey Finds Support for Streamlined Permitting Process and Minimal Fees for Outdoor Dining

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Survey results reveal positive feedback for outdoor dining setups amid municipal ordinance changes Last week we asked readers for their...

Eight Santa Monica Police Activities League Youth Complete The Los Angeles Marathon

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Setting a new PAL record for the Los Angeles Marathon, Jade Furukawa came in at 4 hours and 50 minutes...

Bystander Injured After Man Jumps from Third Floor of Santa Monica Place in Potential Suicide Attempt

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Monday afternoon incident results in injuries to a woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s. By Sam...

Clippers Center Ivica Zubac Joins Students for Medical Simulation Training

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Students gain hands-on experience with virtual reality tools, CPR training, and surgical equipment at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center For...

Santa Monica Hosts Active Aging Group Bike Ride for Older Adults

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Event set for Thursday, March 30, to practice safe biking skills and the rules of the road Older adults in...

City Council Approves Land Use Amendments to Implement Housing Element

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Amendments to zoning codes to support affordable housing production and streamline approval process The Santa Monica City Council has taken...

Changes Coming to Chautauqua and PCH to Address Traffic Congestion

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Two changes coming to intersection of Chautauqua and PCH in late April Residents of Pacific Palisades can expect changes to...

“Hunger Cliff” Looms as CalFresh Benefits Come to an End in Southern California

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Local food banks urge community support as Southern Californians face heightened food insecurity Local food banks in Southern California are...

Historic Santa Monica House with Rock ‘n’ Roll Past Hits the Market for $22.5M

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

The Witbeck House, a charming and beautifully preserved 1917 property with a recording studio used by musician Jackson Browne, is...

Community Corporation of Santa Monica Unveils New Affordable Housing Project in Pico Neighborhood

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

Brunson Terrace apartments will offer affordable housing and retail space for local businesses Community Corporation of Santa Monica has unveiled...

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Rejects Extension of Tenant Protections

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

County Board of Supervisors votes down measure affecting landlords in unincorporated areas. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted...