HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2014 SS1 WhiteCOUNCIL MEETING:__
ITEM NO.: SSJ DEC 0 9 2014
Monterey Heights Neighbors
November 17, 2014
Joseph Lease
Chief Building Official
Community Development
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 -3218
Dear Joseph,
Thank you for all of the work that you have done on the proposed Rental Housing Inspection
Program. As a former San Luis Obispo Real Estate Broker, present rental property owner, and
resident in Monterey Heights I feel that I have a unique perspective. I can see many sides of this
issue.
From the standpoint of the Realtors, I am sure that they are opposed to this measure. However,
we were also opposed to the disclosure forms that were introduced many years ago. We thought
that disclosing the proximity to the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant was certainly a "deal
killer ". We were also opposed to the home inspection programs because we feared the inspector
would reveal a hidden problem. Properties continued to sell and were unaffected. Realtors on the
other hand, were relieved of potential liability, ultimately saw the benefits, and we continued to
prosper.
As the owner of five properties, all located in the Monterey Heights and Alta Vista
neighborhoods I can tell you that I welcome your inspection program, if and only if, you are
provided with the staff to adequately enforce. If you are not given adequate staff, this ordinance
will be as ineffective as the other programs: occupancy, noise, parking districts, furniture in
yards and roofs, etc.
I wonder if you could license local contractors, former building officials, and real estate home
inspectors with the proper knowledge and credentials to carry out these inspections. The City
Council has recently approved the outsourcing of Utility water meter reading to a private
company rather than using City employees. These licensed inspectors (approved by the City and
paying for a special license) could be paid by the homeowner rather than the City. The
understanding that their license would be revoked and they would be held legally accountable if
they passed a non - conforming rental. You could do random spot checks to verify their work. I
would gladly pay a reasonable price to have my rentals inspected and I wouldn't care if it was
done by an independent contractor or city employee.
I look at the cost of a rental housing permit as another cost of doing business. It is no different
than my business license, repairs and maintenance, gardening, utilities, office supplies. If the
price of this permit makes it too expensive for me to operate then I probably should not be in the
rental business.
Finally, as a homeowner, resident and co- chairman of Monterey Heights Neighbors, this
proposed ordinance is imperative. We are watching our neighborhood turn into Isla Vista North.
When I moved into my home over 40 years ago, it was a pleasant workforce housing
neighborhood. We had professors, school teachers, nurses, retired, delivery men, construction
workers, doctors and lawyers. If the intent of the City is to provide workforce housing and
promote Neighborhood Wellness, this program is key - - -if it is enforced.
I have heard that certain opponents feel that the next step will be inspection of personal
residences. This is ridiculous. You can already inspect my personal residence if you receive a
complaint that I am violating zoning, building, health codes, selling drugs, running a meth lab,
etc. My residential home (where I take my property tax exemption) has all of the protections
guaranteed by the constitution. These same protections should NOT apply to the houses that I
own for business purposes. Just as bars, restaurants, and other businesses have regulations,
inspections, and codes that they must abide by, my rental houses should be treated as a business
with its own set of controls.
Thank you for your efforts in this matter. I hope that this will be approved by the City Council in
the manner that you have outlined and also funded for adequate enforcement.
Sincerely,
i
Linda White, co- chairperson
Monterey Heights Neighbors
c.c. SLO City Council