“Council puts an end to vacation rental debate” plus 2 more

Council puts an end to vacation rental debate
Santa Cruz authorities to craft rules governing vacation rentals regarding nuisances
Cabin rentals in Arizona State Parks offer affordable family fun

Council puts an end to vacation rental debate

Posted: 28 Jun 2010 10:59 AM PDT

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Santa Cruz authorities to craft rules governing vacation rentals regarding nuisances

Posted: 27 Jun 2010 08:49 PM PDT

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Santa Cruz County authorities have agreed to craft rules governing vacation rental homes following complaints from locals about wild parties and parking problems.

Among the proposals being considered by county supervisors is asking landlords to pay for the cost of law enforcement responses when problems arise. Supervisors also are considering a ban on big events like wedding receptions and a requirement that guests stay at least one week.

Homeowners who rent their properties say such measures would ruin them financially.

On Tuesday, the supervisors unanimously decided the county Planning Department would form a committee of residents, vacation home owners and others to work out the details.

Supervisors are aiming for the new rules to take effect by next spring.

Last October, a group of rules that would have allowed Incline Village and Crystal Bay to identify area-specific nuisances was eliminated by the Washoe County Commissioners from the proposed nuisance ordinance.

A specific section of the proposed rules (Section 8) dealt specifically with vacation homes and other rentals, an idea that met very strong and outspoken opposition from Incline Village and Lake Tahoe Realtors, who argued that section was unfair.

Many Realtors made public statements and voiced concern in various media reports, and the Incline Village Board of Realtors opted to run full-page ads to encourage others to not support Section 8.

"We appreciate the commissioners listening to our voice and taking our position under consideration," said Jim Nadeau, government affairs director for the Incline Village Board of Realtors, in an Oct. 28, 2009, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza story, after the board voted to not include Section 8.

However, it was also a decision that frustrated some local residents who worked for almost six months to define what nuisances are specific to Lake Tahoe.

"It's dispiriting because of all the work we put in under the mistaken assumption that we were doing this for the county," said Andy Whyman, a member of the Lake Take Working Group that examined Incline and Crystal Bay specific nuisances, in the same story. "The commissioners allowed the staff to work for 18 months and another six months and then said 'we are throwing it all away.' It tells me something about the power of lobbyists and the power of a small vocal minority."

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Cabin rentals in Arizona State Parks offer affordable family fun

Posted: 28 Jun 2010 11:55 AM PDT

Dead Horse Ranch Park

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PHOENIX -- If you are hearing the call of the wild this summer a state parks cabin rental may be just for you. It's an affordable way to get away from it all in comfort.

Some folks believe you can never be too young to hook that first fish, even if it is just a little one. At the Dead Horse Ranch Park on a recent afternoon fishing was the name of the game. Bill Landram also had some bragging to do. He'd caught a catfish the day before, and was making lunch plans, "We're gonna cook him up this afternoon."

Bill and his girlfriend, Holly Richard, along with her son Paul are enjoying a stay at Dead Horse Ranch Park. For years they've floated on tubes down the lazy Verde River.

But after 15 years of roughing it, Holly is taking advantage of the Arizona State Parks cabin rental program.

Dead Horse, near Camp Verde is one of three state parks that offers rental cabins. The other parks. Roper Lake near Mount Graham and Lyman Lake which is in eastern Arizona offer the same deal.

Ranger, Randy Victory, explained, "If you just bring a sleeping bag your stuff to eat or read or whatever you want to do while you are here, you are set you don't have to worry about setting up tearing down a tent."

Victory says the cabins book up, so you have to make a reservation. There's no running water in the cabins but there is electricity

Even air and heat at Roper and Lyman. And those beds can be nice at the end of the day.

The family style rest rooms are also a big hit and at $50 a night, a great deal.

"I think its a really good deal, cause you go on vacation you pay for motels. So it's a better price than that. When you are camping you are on vacation...It's affordable, i like it," Richards said.

Each of the parks has its own unique offerings, such as horseback riding at Dead Horse and mountain biking if that is more your speed.

Campers have taken advantage of the cabins from as far away as Germany and Japan, and they've come from all over the United States

It's a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.

For more information visit, www.AZStateParks.com.

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Vacation Rentals

Monday, June 28, 2010