Editor:
Vacation rentals in Trinidad, as in other coastal communities, are part of the response to the decline of traditional economic resources that contribute to the economic validly of the community (“For Rent,” Dec. 10). The city of Trinidad is working together as a community to find the right balance between vacation rentals and preserving the neighborhood feeling of living in a small coastal town.
The changing demographics in Trinidad to an older population is not the fault of vacation rentals. An older, more retired community has fewer school-age children, however this has not impacted school enrollment. Limiting vacation rentals in Trinidad will create more empty homes that are used as second homes and homes for retired couples, not younger, long-term families.
The California Coastal Commission was created specifically to protect people’s access to the coast, and Trinidad attempting to greatly reduce or ban vacation rentals is in direct conflict to the Coastal Commission’s mission. Vacation rentals provide affordable stays for people visiting the area. The average price of $100 per bedroom for vacation rentals in Trinidad offers the affordable vacation stay for people who have worked hard to earn that time with family and friends.
Kathleen Lake stated that she quit the planning commission because I had threatened to sue her if she did not. That is not the case. I stated that she needed to recuse herself from the VDU regulatory debate due to her strong bias and lack of an open mind to a public debate, which she is required to adhere to as a planning commissioner.
Enforcement of nuisance ordinances for loud noise during quiet hours should be enforced on the tenants, whether they are vacationers, owner occupied, or long term tenants — and those responsible must be those committing the offense, not the property managers.
Mike Reinman, Arcata
This article appears in Creature Comforts.
This is in response to Mike Reinman’s letter regarding Vacation Dwelling units in Trinidad.
As Mr. Reinman is the owner of a very large Rental Property Management business, of course these are his views. As a full time resident of Trinidad, I have seen his VDU’s break almost every law in Trinidad’s new Ordinance. Not only that, but try to find a way around the wording and intention of the Ordinance.
He owns some of these rentals that he manages. Those seem to be the worst offenders! In one weekend, law enforcement was sent to one of his homes twice, that is actually located on an ‘environmentally sensitive trail’. Cars were blocking the trail, drunk and rowdy renters in the home where 12 people can stay. This home had at least 25 cars parked in and around the immediate area. The Sheriff couldn’t even send these ‘guests’ away as they were to drunk to drive. Three dogs (in a rental that says, “No Pets Allowed”). One got lost, and luckily found by a resident, the others would growl and bark at hikers trying to use the trail to walk to the beach.
In his letter he has many contradictory statements.
Trinidad does not seem to be in decline of “traditional economic resources” as he states. As a matter of fact tourists flood this City during the spring and summer months in over abundance. So much so that it is starting to affect the residents.
He writes of an older, more retired community that has fewer school age children. But then goes on to say this has not impacted school enrollment. That is because children come from a variety of communities just to be able to attend Trinidad School due to its excellent reputation as a very progressive learning experience. Certainly VDU users and other tourists do not send their children to this school.
What we have here are empty homes during the winter months. As soon as a home goes up for sale in this City, investors come in, buy at top dollar and more, for homes they intend to use as vacation rentals.
This has caused a huge increase in property values. I don’t want my home to become so expensive that only investors can afford to buy it. We need affordable housing in Trinidad for people, be it through affordable long term rentals or purchases of homes here.
The California Coastal Commission does want to protect access to the coast. Trinidad and Patricks Point Drive have many Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, and RV Parks where tourists can easily access the coast without to many short term rental units (STR’s) in the City Limits! At $100 per night per bedroom, a 3 bedroom vacation unit goes for $300 per night. Sounds a little more expensive than a B&B, Motel or RV Park stay.
Mr. Reinman owns a 4 plex inside the City limits. The VDU Ordinance states: “There shall be no more than one VDU per parcel”. He uses one unit as a long term rental. The other 3 he uses, for his own profit, as STR’s. Why can he not make a profit from renting these units as long term rentals? That makes the City 3 units shorter of affordable housing.
He has threatened lawsuits to residents and the City of Trinidad itself. Kathleen Lake was threatened by Mr. Reinman with a lawsuit because she stated in a letter/website that she was against VDU’s. Personally, I like to know where a Planning Commissioner or Council Member stands in regard to City policies. She did not write nor start a website stating she was a Planning Commissioner. She did this for her personal beliefs. She did not have to rescues herself from any vote, (according to the City Attorney,) but after being threatened she left the Commission. This is a very sad outcome. But Mr. Reinman scared her with this threat!
And last but not least, Mr. Reinman suggests that property managers should NOT be held accountable for the actions of their tenants. Again, the Ordinance states: “Each VDU must designate a local contact person on the VDU License form. That person may be either the owner or the PROPERTY MANAGER, and that person must live within 25 miles of Trinidad so that he/she can respond personally to an emergency”. They make their profits off of their own or other peoples properties. Why should they not be held accountable when called with a complaint from a citizen. You want to manage short term rentals? Be a responsible manager as that is what you are paid to do!
I have personally seen vacation rental tenants of La Paloma Lodge, which is owned by Mr. Reinman, block the Parker Creek Trail with their cars. Not only do these cars impede trail access, they also detracts from the natural experience that many people come to Trinidad to enjoy.
It seems Mr. Reinman prefers to turn his properties into party places so he can max out his bottom line at the expense of the community. This sort of greedy, get-rich mentality is exactly what has turned so many people against vacation rentals and why cities and towns across the country are instituting tougher regulations to protect their communities against this sort of abuse.
Nothing “sharing” and everything SELFISH about this Property Manager Profiteer and biggest bully on the block from Redwood Coast Vacation Rentals! There is no “working together” when you hire attorneys and threaten public officials and the city with erroneous litigation threats.
You must have a crystal ball to make a statement regarding who will live in Trinidad when vacation rentals are banned in residential neighborhoods. If the school is full of students, where are these families living? They would like to live where their children attend school, as is the culture of our community. When the fire department responds to your inebriated tenants where do these public volunteers live? What kind of horrible hotel neighborhoods have you and the other property managers created here in our small coastal town? This is not a sustainable situation!
The California Coastal Commission has approved banning vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods up and down the California coast! I guess you missed that in your research?
Mike Reinman-I can post the letters (or provide them as fact finding information) from you, stating my name and litigation threats. It absolutely is the case! You made that up! In fact I have received two litigation threats in writing from you. Both threats were vetted by the attorney and found to be preposterous. There are still Free Speech laws in the USA! These bullying tactics are the foundation of this selfish business.
Enforcement? You want the neighbors, the fire department, city officials, and the Sheriff to deal with your partying non-compliant hotel guests, and not you? Shame on you. Selfish not sharing.
Kathleen Lake
Trinidad
Facebook: Saving Trinidad Neighborhoods
So forget about having quiet, peaceful nights in Trinidad. Mr. Reinman has people paying him big bucks to come to stay next-door to you and keep you up all night. He doesn’t want to be responsible for his renter’s actions because he just wants the money to flow with no responsibilities. Selfish and gross, Mr. Reinman.