By Joe Janis, San Clemente, on behalf of Protect Our Neighborhoods
It is amazing to us that proponents of short-term rentals in our San Clemente neighborhoods (including a few members of our Chamber of Commerce) are proclaiming that these short-term renters are vital to our local economy. Our observation of these vacationers is just the opposite. We believe that short-term renters staying in our San Clemente neighborhoods spend very little money in our city when compared to long-term renters who live here as city residents. As advertised, vacation rentals can sleep multiple families and have kitchens that allow vacationers to cook and to eat together. Vacationers come well supplied with food and all items needed to last them through their vacation.
City residents (including long-term renters) continually support our local restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores, service stations, auto repair shops, tire shops, appliance stores, hardware stores, beauty shops, nail salons, retail sales, dentists, doctors, fitness centers, movie theaters, high school boosters, nonprofit organizations and the list goes on and on.
The proliferation of short-term rentals not only has a negative effect on our neighborhoods but also threatens the well-being of our business community, since they are beginning to replace city residents.
The residents of San Clemente are the backbone of our local economy and we take exception to special interest groups trying to convince our city leaders that short-term renters are good for our neighborhoods and our economy.
Joe Janis can be reached at controlvrbo@gmail.com.
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