Lido Shorians Speak Out to Sarasota City Commission

Roberto Arguedas, Lynn Carvel and Randon Carvel speak on behalf of LSPOA at City Commission Meeting

Nearly 50-Lido Shorians turned out in a show of support Monday (November 5th) in Sarasota City Commission Chambers against a proposal that would open the door to short-term rentals in our neighborhood and across Sarasota.

LSPOA President Lynn Carvel, Board Secretary Roberto Arguedas and LSPOA member Randon Carvel each spoke to the five-member commission for three-minutes, laying out our opposition to a proposed end run around the city's short term rental laws. They took the opportunity to speak out as part of the Commission's regular Citizens Input Concerning City Topics, held prior to each Commission meeting.

This was our response to a salvo fired back on October 15^th by a neighborhood group from Gillespie Park.  They went before the commission asking that a new category to be created – “Host-occupied Rentals” – so they can be exempt from the current seven-night minimum for short term rentals. They are echoing what Commissioner Hagen Brody (second from left) is proposing and has already reportedly placed as an official agenda item for the upcoming November 19^th City Commission Meeting. 

Commissioner Brody has gone on the record saying he believes “there’s a way to permit short-term rentals without risking the commercialization of neighborhoods.” Unfortunately for us, it has already happened, and that's why LSPOA believes it's critical to get out in front of this critical issue. 

1406 Westway Drive was remodeled to become a commercial rental operation

Both Randon and Roberto pointed out to commissioners that commercialization of residential property is at our doorstep. 

This summer, a house at 1406 Westway Drive was purchased by a commercial real estate development company and set up as a short-term rental. Its website says it can accommodate 17+ guests and was booking through online platforms like Airbnb and Siesta Key Luxury Rental Properties. Since we raised the issue of the house being advertised for short term 3-4 day rentals, it has since gone on the market for sale.

LSPOA is a volunteer "Property" owners association (not a "Home" owners association). As such, we currently have no control over the minimum number of rental nights the city allows (currently a seven- night minimum). We do, however, have control over LSPOA membership and its privileges (i.e. private access to the beach).

On Monday evening, at its regular LSPOA Board of Directors meeting, the board took action to  protect our private beach access from transient visitors renting Lido Shores homes for less than one month. By unanimous approval, the current LSPOA By-Laws  were amended to restrict membership for those who rent a single-family home (or any portion of) for less than 30-consecutive days, or one- calendar month (whichever is less), or who operates home solely as a business or rental business.

The Board is also looking into re-forming as a Home Owners Association, or HOA, with the right to have greater control over keeping the residential character of Lido Shores.

During Monday afternoon's City Commission meeting, Dr. Carvel made it clear that we're well aware of a recent Orlando, FL law that went into effect July 1st, that's being touted as a potential model for Sarasota. It allows for owner occupied home sharing for hosted visits only, where the property owner or tenant lives on site. Orlando pushed the ordinance through by emphasizing that since an owner is required to be on site to host a visit, this will control for potential nuisances, as well as increase household income.

LSPOA President Lynn Carvel speaks at Fall Potluck

But President Carvel told Sarasota commissioners, quote: "The problem with the Orlando Ordinance is that it is a complete SHAM! The definition of 'Owner' as 'any person or legal entity' was never revealed to the public in the Orlando Staff report.

In fact, a 'Legal Entity' is not an individual and may in fact be a corporation. The public was led to believe that the Orlando law would just help Uncle Bob and Aunt Sally make a little extra money. But in reality, the new ordinance was simply a backdoor for the commercialization of residential property."

"Tell me," Dr. Carvel asked the commissioners, "How will a young professional or empty nester's household income increase, and how will nuisances be controlled with a corporation as the owner?

She concluded by saying, "So, given that Orlando's ordinance is being used as a blueprint for change here in Sarasota, I have to ask, how are you planning on defining 'Owner' in your proposal. And how are you going to prevent commercial operators from moving in? 

Respectfully, we adamantly oppose any change to the Sarasota's current ordinance, and use are prepared to retain legal counsel to support our efforts."

So that's where we stand.   Dr. Carvel, along with LSPOA Board Member Andrew Vac, met Wednesday afternoon (November 7) with Commissioner Brody.  Dr. Carvel says Brody is fully enamored with the idea of shortening rental periods and plans to float the idea at the next City Commission meeting on November 19th.

Dr. Carvel plans to meet with the other four-commissioners and City Manager Tom Barwin as well.   The Board is also be asking all LSPOA members to email each of our commissioners to express your concern over the issue of commercializing residential property and ruining the character of our residential neighborhood.

These are the five City Commissioners and their email addresses:  Remember the adage of the "squeaky wheel."

1) Mayor Liz Alpert
             Liz.Alpert@sarasotafl.gov

2) Vice-Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch
             Jen.Ahearn-Koch@sarasotafl.gov
     
3) Commissioner Hagen Brody
             Hagen.Brody@sarasotafl.gov

4) Commissioner Willie Shaw
             Willie.Shaw@sarasotafl.gov

5) Commissioner Shelli Freeland Eddie
             Shelli.FreelandEddie@sarasotafl.gov

Thank you for showing your support this week.  Mark your calendars.  WE WILL NEED ANOTHER BIG TURNOUT AT CITY HALL ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT 1:30PM! 

Details to follow.

(click on or copy and paste link below to see Lynn, Randon and Roberto address City commissioners
Link takes you to Regular City Commission Meting Website- Video is in upper left box - 13:50 to 22:30) 

http://sarasota.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=9705

Bob Thill

LSPOA Communications Director

bthill@icloud.com