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Last night Ms. Hall went in and altered her website to reflect that she is only month to month. But we screen saved her pages. See below links.
I applauded the Twentynine Palms City Council when they voted 5-0 not to allow vacation rentals in the City of Twentynine Palms. Vacation rentals do not belong in neighborhoods.
Vacation rentals are businesses that bring a constant stream of strangers in that disrupt the family neighborhood dynamics. Its easy to keep an eye on full time neighbors when your trying to keep your children safe but with a constant stream of 
vacation strangers coming and going you almost don’t want to let your kids out of the house. After having vacation renters throw up in the middle of the street, or pass out on a front yard I was tickled pink at the City decision.
vacation strangers coming and going you almost don’t want to let your kids out of the house. After having vacation renters throw up in the middle of the street, or pass out on a front yard I was tickled pink at the City decision.I expected the Vacation Rentals to cease to exist in Twentynine Palms but what I found with Sherry Hall’s vacation rental was they removed the location map from their website and continued to advertise for business. Their map showed the location close to the Roughley Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn and off of Sherman Hoyt Ave cross street Joe Davis Drive.
The Tax Collector parcel number is 0623-231-07-0000 and records show an illegal $7000 homeowner exemption which can only be taken on your primary residence (not a rental property) The www.hungrybunnyranch.com web site is registered to Alex Hall PO Box 1089 Twentynine Palms Ca. 92277 (Screen Save )
The cattle feed trough used as a bath tub that drains outside onto the ground is questionable as well. If only water was used it might be OK but dumping chlorine, Epsom salts, bath oils and other things onto the ground is just not good inside the City.The hungry bunny web site asks you to please view our calendar for availability, or contact us to make a reservation sherry@hungrybunnyranch.com (831) 236-8359
The times have changed and thanks to the City we don’t have to worry about vacation rentals popping up in town without warning notification, and no opportunity for neighborhood comment or opportunity for objection.
This and other illegal vacation homes need to be monitored by code enforcement to make sure there is 100% compliance. A fine should be levied on those that are operating illegally
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Here are some guest comments.
August 22, 2009
From the tin tub to the timber bed and all that lies between, everything here was perfect. Watching the stars at night and clouds during the day, and just watching. Everything here was perfect. Thank you for everything!
P.S. We will be back to see the stars in winter. This was just grand!
Tony and Mercy
Los Angeles, California
March 18, 2009
Well, we are sure glad we stayed here!
What a wonderful place. Loved the kitchen and all the space. Outside was perfect.
Thanks ever so much
Matt and Riley
Sanrich Peninsula, British Columbia
March 1, 2009
We loved our time here and plan to come back next year!
Your “HUNNY-BUNNY” Ranch is too gorgeous to describe in mere words. The great 180 degree expanse of southern facing windows mesmerized us with the changing light through the day. Stargazing at night with no other homes around felt serene.
You achieved an unusual architectural dream in the desert with the feeling of a vast artist’s loft. We truly enjoyed winding down from the Busy Bay Area Life.
D. and Marshall
Oakland, California
February 14, 2009
Thanks so much for the perfect getaway loft in the desert – with internet access!!!
Especially thanks for -
the cozy fireplace and all the wood
the fun horse-trough bathtub
the great stove so we could griddle inside
the electric blanket!!!
the comfy bed
all the books
didn’t have time to watch the movies; we played the board games – two nights is not long enough.
We want to come back when it’s a tad warmer and bbq outside and sit by the fire ring.
Wonderful place and will tell everyone about the Hungry Bunny Ranch.
T. and Porter
San Mateo, California
January 4, 2009
We loved our week here. So private and comfortable. We had so many wonderful evenings at the fire after a day of exploring the desert here. We loved the soft white blankets — where did you find those? We liked how we could move the furniture around as we pleased, and coyotes howling at night — oh, and the stars!
You are so thoughtful with the blankets, the games, the movies, the bottled water, and the firewood. We really loved the kitchen and felt comfortable cooking here.
Kate and Linda, Santa Cruz and Rancho Mirage, California
November 27, 2008
We had a wonderful time here. The unexpected basket of dog goodies was a lovely gesture; Bela chased balls and cow-sock thing all weekend. We put the stove to the test with Thanksgiving dinner — ham, carrots, cranberry sauce, biscuits — and it passed, though cramming everything in the oven took some creative arranging.
Having our home base here encouraged us to go further afield in the Park — we went to new places in the Wonderland and next time we’ll check out Queen Mountain. Thanks for the great stay!
Andrew, Diana and Bela, Los Angeles, California
November 8, 2008
Thanks – the bed was warm and comfy, beautiful place!
Lisa, Riverside, California
Vroom Vroom, Vroom Vroom
Honestly, Ken, as I clearly recall you’ve admonished people for reporting neighbors for illegal off-roading. So now you’ve trashed your core values to become the town snitch? Perhaps you should start wearing a brown shirt with some sort of crazy Nazi Police arm band.
Your infamous xenophobic views of our fair city are notorious. For somebody that doesn’t even live here, it’s ironic you are so predispose to have contempt of other local property owners and renters.
I’m going to give chock this up as poor judgment on your part.
Wait a second Branson… I am going to have to chock your statement on poor judgment too.
We can not have it two ways here. We have a running battle on a land use issue that has generated a huge amount of comments thanks to your fine reporting, yet here we have a similar land use issue and it is “snitching?” Tell me it ain’t so Branson.
Vacation rentals are illegal in the City of Twentynine Palms. Flat out. Ken just points it out.
There has been a lot of talk by her about scofflaw attitudes by many concerning many activities that Ms. Hall finds to her disliking, Ken just highlights the inconsistency of her arguments.
Ms. Hall wants it both ways. She wants everyone to be held to a different standard than she is willing to live by herself.
It is certainly inconsistent to rack Donnell over the coals yet fail to support Ken’s expose’ of another controversial activity that he and many of us would call a pure scofflaw violation of City Codes.
(please do not take my example of Donnell as a stand either way on the gun range issue.)
Just to clarify something about this issue.
It is not dead! The City is to hold at it’s meeting a workshop about vacation home rentals. Officials felt that the public were not given enough info or time to their voices heard.
The Planning Commission had started the process of writing a well thought out and comprehensive ordnance that would have made it a very small and manageable part of the city.
Then somehow instead of letting them finish the work it was handed off to the council for their take before anything was in writing.
With that said, the council was inundated with complaints that do process was not given.
And the issue is being brought back.
“Theoldman” is very correct on this one.
The issue of vacation rentals in the City is not dead. About two weeks or maybe a month after the 5-0 vote to not to proceed on drafting a vacation rental ordinance Joel Klink brought the issue back up under item 11.0,future Council initiated items, as was his privilidge to do.
With this being said I am very concerned at the factual basis of this article.
In that the city does not currently have any regulations in regards to vacation rentals our Code then is clear – if not specifically allowed in our code then the land use is prohibited.
I have placed a call to the City Manager in regards to this matter. If in fact there are vacation rentals operating in our City then they owe the city Transient Occupancy Tax – TOT. I have requested to see the receipts in regards to the days listed in this article where clearly people paid to stay in 29 Palms.
I am also concerned about the exemption that is in fact limited to ones primary residence and not a commercial venture.
Perhaps “Theoldman” has some information to shed on this. I have found him to be very helpful and very knowledgeable in many matters that he has posted on at this site. Such as his specific mention of the California Manual on Traffic Control Devices. I did look that manual up and will be using it at the appeal of the new hotel that is proposed to be built.
More guest comments and pictures at http://www.vrbo.com/213135#comments
01/19/09
Positive Rating
Guest Comment entered by Homeowner:
Enjoyed our stay at Hungry Bunny Ranch! Thanks for the goodie baskets — including the one for our dog. We enjoyed the landscape, sunshine and cool nights by the fireplace. Joshua Tree was worth the drive and your place was perfect. We hung out and fixed a big dinner after our day of hiking. We’ll certainly be seeing you again in the future! Good luck — we know with your great location, loft style layout and personal hospitality you will do well!
01/04/09
Positive Rating
Guest Comment entered by Homeowner:
We loved our week here. So private and comfortable. We had so many wonderful evenings at the fire after a day of exploring the desert here. We loved the soft white blankets — where did you find those? We liked how we could move the furniture around as we pleased, and coyotes howling at night — oh, and the stars! You are so thoughtful with the blankets, the games, the movies, the bottled water, and the firewood. We really loved the kitchen and felt comfortable cooking here.
11/27/08
Positive Rating
Guest Comment entered by Homeowner:
We had a wonderful time here. The unexpected basket of dog goodies was a lovely gesture; Bela chased balls and cow-sock thing all weekend. We put the stove to the test with Thanksgiving dinner — ham, carrots, cranberry sauce, biscuits — and it passed, though cramming everything in the oven took some creative arranging. Having our home base here encouraged us to go further afield in the Park — we went to new places in the Wonderland and next time we’ll check out Queen Mountain. Thanks for the great stay!
11/23/08
Positive Rating
, Los Angeles, Ca From the get-go, Sherry was so gracious and helpful when I contacted her to inquire about her place. Sherry and Alex have set up a truly wonderful place. It was our first time to Joshua Tree and their place was just outside of the entrance of the park. The place was a nice combination of both rustic and contemporary which was just perfect for us “city folk” who can’t quite “rough it” but still was to experience the outdoors. We will definitely be back! Thank you so much!
11/08/08
Positive Rating
Guest Comment entered by Homeowner:
Thanks – the bed was warm and comfy, beautiful place!
It looks as though she has some renters this weekend too.
I am at a loss for this. I went out and did a Google search and one of the first responses for “vacation rental 29 palms” was this:
http://www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com/
Now I know where there homes are at and I never had a clue that they were vacation rentals!
What is going on here? There seems to be an underground commercial enterprise in our city that we are supporting with our infrastructure costs and they are not even paying the Transient Occupancy tax and perhaps not even a business license fee.
I am asking any all individuals in this city, that know of these places to come forward and identitfy them. You may do it via the whistle blower link so that your identity is not know.
I will personally take each and every address to the City Council meeting on January 12th and read them to the city staff and request immediate action.
Thanks.
Steve, Thanks for looking into this. I just have to wonder. After looking at most of the links to the “vacation rentals” in this area, they seem to be in area’s I recognize. Some of these area’s I know have had OHV trails since the 1960′s and I have rode on them. Seems to me there might be a connection to Community ORV Watch and their fight to do away with all OHV’s in the Morongo Basin. As a commercial enterprise it makes sense to me that if there is “any” noise or dust it could cost them money, even if they are close to a BLM limited use area.If you were losing your butt you would fight to do away with the source, and if that means trampling on state law and making up stories, so be it. It was proven by the state OHV commission in their vistit to Wonder Valley that there was not a problem in the area. I think there is more too this than us lay people are aware of. It may explain the fables of intimidation, harrasment, and the nuicance that is the mantra of COW. I am not trying to turn this into an OHV issue but it seems to throw up red flags IMO.
Keep up the good work.
Stanley
Hi Stanley,
Thank you for the kind words.
I also want to thank all of you that have responded to my asking for further identification of other vacation rentals.
The response has been impressive and I and several others will be busy this weekend sorting out the information for presentation to the Council on January 12, 2009.
I have contacted our County Board of Supervisor’s Office, I informed them of the situation that we have in 29 but that in trying to find out more information we uncovered many possible vacation rentals in Wonder Valley as well as Joshua Tree.
I asked if the County regulated vacation rentals and was informed that the County does indeed regulate them and they are looking forward to the information.
I would now ask that if anyone has the time and also recognizes any of these places to try and find out the address of the location.
It is clear that vacation rental websites are not disclosing actual locations.
With an address the County as well as the city can then check on primary residence status and tax breaks that may or may not be legitimate.
Again, thank you all for the help and support.
Steve
You would not have had all these problems if you were not duped by the likes of Corbin, Smith, and Flanagan and others. Your commission had a great start on a code that allowed vacation rentals to exist and the city got money. And Mr “artisty” Chuck was duped by those fakes that run the GPAC to send it to the council. Get an ordinance that allows VHR and help protect the city.
HDENT this issue is much larger than the City of 29 Palms. My guess is they all operate illegally. From my research IM guessing at least 25% of the habitable propertys in Wonder Valley are owned by a handfull of people and they are vacation rentals. Stanley hit the nail on the head when he mentiond the off-road issue/vacation rentals. When you think about it IM know for only writing about off-road issues and here IM writing about vacation rentals. Hmm… I wonder if they are related?
Steve I cannot begin to thank you enough for taking on this daunting task. I am sure it is going to ruffle some fancy important feathers in this town but it needs to be done.
Where would you like the addresses that we find to be sent to?
Please post the addresses if you wish or use the “whistle blower” portion of the website. If all else fails then email them to the Administrator of this site and they will be forwarded to me.
Again, thank you to all of you that have provided information.
I will do what I can to find some of these as well as the phone numbers listed and where they are from.
Steve vacation rentals operate under the radar with no address or map to the property. Maybe the city could rent a few to get the address and demand the money back. The addresses are the hardest to find without physically driving out to the property and even then most homes in Wonder Valley don’t have an address you can see. Its more like look for the 3rd house on the right. We can find the parcel numbers relatively easy but the county web site wont disclose the address. The Tax collector has the address to the parcel to send out tax bills. Since this is a county wide problem the county should be involved and they have the address
Just a quick Google befor bed. Searching for VHR in the City of 29. I was thinking if we could recoup some of this stolen money it could help put in the OHV Tourism Trails.
The El Paseo Ranch (760)902-7601 http://www.vrbo.com/166055 (appears to be very close to Sherry Hall’s) Note: called phone number and asked if it was in the city of 29 Palms and she said no its 7 miles out. It was booked for the next 2 months. I explained my wife didn’t want to be out in THAT VALLY and was there anything closer to the City of 29 and the nice lady referred me to guess who? Sherry Hall’s Hungry Bunny Ranch.
Indian Cove Ranch http://www.indiancoveranch.com/ (760) 713-3602
Private Mojave Desert Getaway – Twentynine Palms http://www.vrbo.com/152017 (626) 396-0903
Desert Delight Twentynine Palms, California Vacation Rental http://www.vrbo.com/237937 (760) 367-7448 (760) 219-8515
Steve here is one of my personal favorites… he has 12 vacation rentals! Yet another person from LA… nice isn’t it. These are the people dictating how we should and shouldn’t be using OUR desert!
http://www.joshuadesertretreats.com/
12 vacation rentals located near Joshua Tree Park and 29 Palms are the perfect lodging alternative for visitors of the California desert. Retreat to the desert for a weekend getaway or an extended work stay. Each of our 12 homes are on its own 5-15 acres of unspoiled Mojave Desert. All homes include upscale furnishings; satellite TV, CD / DVD Players, desert libraries, and original work by local artists. Many homes feature iPod docks, pools, hot tubs, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces. All have expansive desert and mountain views and are 10-15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, the town of 29 Palms and an hour from Palm Springs.
The Joshua Desert Retreats Philosophy
As a busy Landscape Architect and Contractor (GDALandscape.com) I was stressed out with Los Angeles city life. I’ve been in L.A. for almost 30 years and it’s my favorite place to get away from. I sought sanctuary in an amazing corner of the Mojave Desert called Wonder Valley. Finding an original pioneer homestead cabin I transformed it into a personal, private getaway for family and friends and dubbed it my “Witt’s End”.
A home should be a place of refuge, a beautiful nurturing space where stress is lifted, our senses are heightened and comfortable emotions flow freely. Growing up in Hawaii we lived in homes that flowed freely with the outside and were filled with what I call the “natural life force”. The Southwest Deserts have that same wonderful feeling and I wanted it as part of my desert get-away.
Well, everybody was surprised to have an experience that is unlike anything else. Indulgent amenities, breathtaking desert scenery, outdoor living and dining rooms with fireplaces, hot tubs and hammock under the Milky Way, swimming pool with mountain vistas. It was a perfect escape; worry-free, relaxing and very nurturing for relationships.
I couldn’t stop at just one. Now I have 13 escapes ranging in style from rustic to modern. Each is different, yet they all promote wellness, strength, inspiration and a “complete” lifestyle. When guests arrive at Joshua Desert Retreats they feel at home as soon as they walk through the door. “It’s all those personal touches that make the difference” I’m often told.
Joshua Desert Retreats harnesses the desert’s wonderful energy and is a superior experience for a vacation home get away. Come join us!
Your host,
Greg Davis
Gregory Davis & Associates
GDALandscape.com
____________________________________________________________________
Here is another
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p314569?uni_id=385572&cid=L_YAHOO_1#propertyInquiry
_____________________________________________________________________
And another
http://www.alwaysonvacation.com/vacation-rentals/178380.html?t=VSC&f=baa
______________________________________________________________________
Why do we need more hotels (or any hotels for that matter) if all these vacation homes are out there?
http://www.threehorseranch.net/
Cracks me up, the tree huggers are all for saving the homesteads, yet they have no problem renting them out and collecting a few bucks for it, maybe this is why they don’t work and have all the time in the world to write letters, protest and attend business meetings that are held during normal peoples business hours.
You know what else I find very very interesting, in almost all these rental adds they aren’t hardly even promoting “Twentynine Palms” they are promoting “Joshua Tree”. For the love of god they can’t even recognize the town that they are taking advantage and collecting their paychecks from! I for one and PROUD to say I LIVE and PLAY in TWENTYNINE PALMS. (Or until the liberals (try) take it all away..liberals NOT FROM TWENTYNINE PALMS I might add)
And if I had more time and patience I would do a little survey on how many of the contact numbers for these rentals are not even in the area.
Food for thought!
Here is one of my favorites… The man FROM LA owns 12 (or maybe 13 vacation homes right here in Twentynine Palms. The man from LA even has a philosophy how life is supposed to be here in TWENTYNINE PALMS. And yet more homesteads used to their advantage. I wonder why the historical society has nothing to say about this?
http://www.joshuadesertretreats.com/
12 vacation rentals located near Joshua Tree Park and 29 Palms are the perfect lodging alternative for visitors of the California desert. Retreat to the desert for a weekend getaway or an extended work stay. Each of our 12 homes are on its own 5-15 acres of unspoiled Mojave Desert. All homes include upscale furnishings; satellite TV, CD / DVD Players, desert libraries, and original work by local artists. Many homes feature iPod docks, pools, hot tubs, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces. All have expansive desert and mountain views and are 10-15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, the town of 29 Palms and an hour from Palm Springs.
The Joshua Desert Retreats Philosophy
As a busy Landscape Architect and Contractor (GDALandscape.com) I was stressed out with Los Angeles city life. I’ve been in L.A. for almost 30 years and it’s my favorite place to get away from. I sought sanctuary in an amazing corner of the Mojave Desert called Wonder Valley. Finding an original pioneer homestead cabin I transformed it into a personal, private getaway for family and friends and dubbed it my “Witt’s End”.
A home should be a place of refuge, a beautiful nurturing space where stress is lifted, our senses are heightened and comfortable emotions flow freely. Growing up in Hawaii we lived in homes that flowed freely with the outside and were filled with what I call the “natural life force”. The Southwest Deserts have that same wonderful feeling and I wanted it as part of my desert get-away.
Well, everybody was surprised to have an experience that is unlike anything else. Indulgent amenities, breathtaking desert scenery, outdoor living and dining rooms with fireplaces, hot tubs and hammock under the Milky Way, swimming pool with mountain vistas. It was a perfect escape; worry-free, relaxing and very nurturing for relationships.
I couldn’t stop at just one. Now I have 13 escapes ranging in style from rustic to modern. Each is different, yet they all promote wellness, strength, inspiration and a “complete” lifestyle. When guests arrive at Joshua Desert Retreats they feel at home as soon as they walk through the door. “It’s all those personal touches that make the difference” I’m often told.
Joshua Desert Retreats harnesses the desert’s wonderful energy and is a superior experience for a vacation home get away. Come join us!
Your host,
Greg Davis
Gregory Davis & Associates
GDALandscape.com
I’ll put money on it he is not paying his County ToT either.
http://www.mytaxcollector.com/trFAQ.aspx#TOT%20Definition
Maybe its the “dimple power” that Sherry talks about. Maybe thats how they get of it.
Just smile and show the dimples, is that how it works?
No I think it is more the puppy dog eyes that sway the Gang of 4 more.
Why not allow the planning commission to complete their job they started and set up rules and regs that allow vacation rentals to exist and the city to collect its portion. It would help pay for that infrastructure. If Mr “artisty” Chuck hadn’t been swayed by the rest of the crowny’s that also run the GPAC, to send the issue to the city council with out all the facts then this would be a mute point.
In reference to the homeowner exemption question raised.
From the county assessors web site
http://www.sbcounty.gov/assessor/Exempt.asp
HOMEOWNERS’ EXEMPTION
* Property owners may file an application for a Homeowners’ Exemption on a residence that is both owned and occupied as the principal place of residence as of 12:01 a.m. on January 1. This exemption is also available to property subject to Supplemental Assessment provided the owner intends to occupy the property as their principal place of residence within 90 days of the change in ownership or completion of new construction, and the property is not already receiving an exemption. The exemption reduces the assessed value by $7,000 and reduces the property tax bill.
* Applications must be filed by 5 p.m. February 15 following the change of ownership. If not timely filed, 80% of the full exemption is available if filed between February 16 and 5 p.m. December 10. The application for Homeowners’ Exemption need only be filed once, as long as the property owner continues to own and occupy the property as the principal place of residence on which the exemption is filed.
* Property owners have the responsibility to apply for the exemption and to terminate the exemption when no longer eligible. If no longer eligible for the exemption as of 12:01 AM, January 1, the Assessor must be notified in writing on or before December 10 to avoid a 25% penalty on the amount of taxes the exemption represents.
BTW
FYI
* San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office in
YUCCA VALLEY
57407 29 Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Phone: (760) 228-5420
Fax: (760) 228-5421
8am – 12noon, 1pm – 5pm
*Internal Revenue Service (877) 829-5500
Good info old man.
Here’s a few that a quick google search netted.
joshuadesertretreats.com 310-558-5544 Culver City
VRBO listing# 152017 626-396-0903 Pasadena
VRBO listing# 275967 760-713-3602 Victorville
VRBO listing# 166055 760-902-7601 Palm Springs
hungrybunnyranch.com 831-236-8359 Monterey
joshuatreevacationhomes.com 602-725-3249 Phoenix
this one has an address in the picture 7546 Sahara
bransonjoshuatree.com 818-206-5806 Canoga Park
“mountain house” advertised on another website as being IN 29 palms
and there was one other one on vrbo.com that actually had local numbers for a point of contact, the rest are ALL out of towners profiting from our city.
http://www.threehorseranch.net/aboutus.htm
73154 Sullivan Rd, Twentynine Palms CA 92277
760-367-7448
Owner Manuel Anaya
(yet more “homesteads” that they are getting rich off of.
$9500 a month!!!! HOLY SH@@ Im in the wrong business.
http://www.alwaysonvacation.com/vacation-rentals/178380.html?t=VSC&f=baa
ATTRACTIONS
• Lakefront
• Near Golf
• Near Shopping
• Near Restaurants
• Near Theme Park
• Boating
• Fishing
I about spit out my water, lakefront??? Where?? Oh yea.. the DRY LAKE BED. Theme park? The marine base is not a theme park the last time I checked.
I just got home from work and see that many more locations are being discovered.
Ken – parcel numbers will work as well as addresses according to the District Supervisor’s office.
As I have said this weekend all of the locations will be put together into a report and presented during Council Members commenst at start of the meeting on January 12, 2009.
I will then seek to have an agenda item added to the future sessions of the Council under item 11.0 of the Council agenda.
Good councilman,
Might I ask if you are in favor of vacation home rentals? Of course I mean the law bidding, city business licensed, tax paying ones.
If you are, why not continue with the completion of the ordnance started by the planning commission that was halted as soon as Mr Caplinger took over as chairman.
Because if memory serves me correctly in a previous meeting he was out voted 3-1-1 to write the ordnance.
I personally feel that this is something that could work here (as it seems it is). That the city could actually promote more tourism with this kind of venture.
Hi HDENT,
I simply do not have enough information right now to say that VHR’s are a thing I favor or do not favor.
I applaud Joel Klink for bringing this item back to the Council for discussion and debate.
What I do know is that these present VHR’s are out of compliance with many codes the least of which is they are not allowed at the present time.
Yet some people opted to proceed into a business venture without a business license nor even checking with the city if what they wanted to do was allowed.
My interest in this matter is that, in my opinion, we can’t allow this type of behavior – that of setting up a commercial venture without proper authorization.
If we allow this type of behavior and look the other way for this matter do we then look the other way when an adult oriented business sets up shop near one of our elementary schools? Do we look the other way when a nightclub opens up in a residentail neighborhood?
I think the answer to those questions would be a resounding “No”.
So, my purpose in this matter is to stop what is apparntly a rather significant “underground” commercial venture of the few from impacting the good a the many.
The discussion and debate as to allow this type of commercial activity in our city is a totally separate matter.
I hope that I answered your question.
Respectfully,
Steve
Fair enough. I thank that if we were allowed to have VHR within the city then it could be written in to the code that this would be retro-active back say 1 year.
If you are looking for what the county has try; San Bernardino County Code Title 8 Chapter 84.28: SHORT-TERM PRIVATE HOME RENTALS
Steve lets assume the City of 29 Palms allows Vacation Rentals in the future. If I had a slip and fall in one of these or lets say I was exposed to asbestos and there was a lawsuit and the homeowner did not have enough assets or insurance to cover my medical expenses, attorney fees and pain and suffering do you think my lawyer would sue the City of 29?
The city has a hold harmless clause in all it’s conditions of approval for development.
“The applicant shall defend, at its sole expense (with attorneys approved by the City),
and indemnify the City against any claim, action, or proceeding brought by any third
party against the City, its agents, officers or employees resulting from or relating to this
approval. The applicant shall reimburse the City, its agents, officers or employees for
any judgment, court costs and attorney’s fees which the City, its agents, officers or
employees may be required to pay as a result of such claim, action or proceeding. The
City may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of any such
action, but such participation shall not relieve the applicant of its obligations under this condition.”
I got home from work today and had to reflect on this issue a little bit more. This city has on the GPAC some members that were very vocal at the BOS meeting over ordinace 3973, (the off road ordinance) who are also inkeepers or maybe (you fill in the blanks). I don’t know how the 29 Palms Inn (Paul Smith)has a problem with OHV’s as his property is fenced. His sister Pat Flanigan was also very vocal and portrayed something she wasn’t. I won’t go there. Now we have Sherry Hall that is running a vacatation rental and who was also very vocal at the same meeting who is now getting flack for running a motel, if you will. These people I am sure are Community ORW members and this whole ordinance was supposted to be about illegal riding on private property and tearing up the landscape, and evironmental issues. To me it seems like now that this story has come out it is not about the environment but more about the little world that revolves around their wallet. I wonder what other COw members are involved with this? This is all starting to make sense. I really did like the 3 horse ranch at $9600 a month. Can these people be serious.
I am 100% against vacation rentals, our city can find something better to bring money into this town. Do they screen their tenants like long term rental managers do? Do they know their background and get references? To rent a home in this town that is what you need. Plus some of the “suitable” people that they are advertising to are NOT who I want to be sharing a property line let alone my town with.
Brother and Sisters on the same board is also a conflict of interest in my opinion. Its not like this town only has 20 people to choose committee members from. Why not bring a person from all walks of life instead of only the “selected’ and “exclusive” walks of life in this town. Get some more people with dirt under their nails from working hard, Get some people who wear ties or high heels, Get someone that has to rent because they can’t afford to buy a home in this town. Get some people who like to look at the desert and some people who like to play in the desert. For pete sake get some diversity on the committee!
What is going to happen when they allow a child sex offender to rent one of their properties, and heaven forbid the get a hold of one of children in the area of the rental home? At least we know where they are when they are in their registered neighborhood, but we do not know if they are there if they come into our neighborhoods!
Like they are all accounted for? Or registered? Or they have even been caught?
Stay focused brother.
Exactly. Maybe the board members will look at their children or grandchildren and ask themselves what they will say when something happens to them?
That would be a fat lawsuit!
Steve for VHR or against then, I hope you are seeing the big picture here. There is more to the ORV vs. enviro’s here. The ORV’s are intruding on their lucrative businesses and that is why they are up in arms. They can’t advertise utopia when we are out with our families having fun. And if a renter complains then its out of money pocket for them. They couldn’t give 2 hoots about the desert, they are concerned about their pocketbooks.
So what better way then to say we are threatening them, kicking up dust (like their car doesn’t), and noisy (so is the firetruck driving up and down Adobe, but I don’t complain because they were here before me). It pulls on the heartstrings of people, even PETA says they do that on purpose to get what they want across.
We have a winner! Give the girl the 7 foot tall teddy bear!
Like Jerry Maguire, its “Show me the money.”
The jig is up, I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to let them get away with it anymore.
I have a question for all concern.
Have any of you ever stayed in a vacation home rental?
I have.
I am married, have 5 kids, and like to travel. Now when I go I try to find the nearest base to stop and stay the night if I can. If my stay is longer than a night or two, then I start looking for a VHR. Ever try cramming 7 people in a motel room? Not a pretty site!!!
When I have stayed at a VHR, they required ID or passport, $700 refundable security deposit, $150 exit cleaning fee required, reservations had made within a week of booking I had to use PayPal or cashiers checks & over-nighted for agreement/payment.
It is not as easy or cheap as everyone makes it out to be.
What my family likes is the sense of home without it being home. Everyone that I have been in has had pots, pans, linens, and towels. some even come with TVs, VCR’s, DVD’s. Hell one had a pool and another had a swing and slide in the backyard.
They are not all about the gizmo and gadget. A few didn’t have those kinds of things at all. It was about nature, life, the scenic views, just straight nothing but mother nature.
So before you go off the deep end and start screaming down with VHR’s, know what the hell you are talking about.
Nobody said it was cheap and sex offenders have ID. Do they do a background check?
Sorry, my mistake, I failed to mention that yes all the ones I have stayed at did do a back-ground check.
A criminal background check? Or as I suspect a credit check?
Let me bounce this off you and tell me what you think.
I’ll be willing to bet that almost all of the vacation rentals in this area were started on a whim and were never plan checked.
The problems I find in this is they fail to pony up the bed tax to local government let alone have a business license.
I’ll put money on it that the fire Marshall has never given them a green tag, nor do they have a commercial grade fire suppression system.
I bet they have never applied for or received a health department certificate of occupancy nor have they ever been inspected by them.
The idea that one can just open up the mother in law cabin in the back yard as a B&B is great on paper but fails to be a simple task.
I have a very good friend that started a B&B and it took her years and 10s of thousands of dollars to be in compliance with the city of Twentynine Palms.
Most of these places are outlaw businesses. You’d be going nuts if it was a restaurant or a strip mall started in your neighborhood with out planning approval.
Can’t argue with most of that.
But as far as background check, 4 places used e-renter.com and 2 others used advantagetenant.com do not recall what the rest used.
I have stayed at a vacation home, along the coast in a “vacation” community. It was a week long and the only thing I had to do was pay my $1000 and sign that I wouldn’t thrash the house. My husband and I travel with 3 kids, we get ajoining rooms and usually an extra cot when the kids don’t want to be anywhere near each other after the car travels. So I do know what the hell Im talking about.
Vacation rentals are not for this town. This is the City of 29 palms, not the unincorporated area of Joshua Tree, they are not a city so if that is what they want to promote then so be it. We have a city council and have voting rights in the City of 29 Palms. Let San Bernardino county deal with Joshua Tree vacation rental and keep them out of the City of 29 Palms.
I have voting rights too!!!!
Have you not noticed that VHR’s are here. I can think you 4 or 5 easy. And we are talking about Twentynine Palms. The City has no control over anything outside the city limits. We have influence but that is about it.
Did you enjoy your 1 time stay on the coast?
HDent is right. VHR’s are here. I believe they should be regulated pursuant to existing laws. When they violate the law and fail to be up to health and safety standards and code, they should be shut down, fined and pay back taxes and fees. I think Councilman Spears is once again doing the right thing working to identify violators and taking appropriate action.
If there are far too many VHR’s in 29 Palms, and that is a problem for residents, that too can be regulated with appropriate new codes. Dan is obviously right that many VHR’s are not up to code and may have never been inspected. That problem needs to be addressed too.
Property rights should work both ways.
Can I get a new quad instead of a teddy bear??? I promise to be good to it and follow all rules!
Well OK, but you have to promise not to race by any vacation rentals, you might interrupt the nude sunbathing (optional of course).
There is (so I’ve heard) a brothel in Nevada called the Bunny Ranch. I wonder why Sherry chose that name?
C’mon Mike, fess up….
It was called the Kit Kat Bunny ranch back in the 90′s. It is located in Mound House, Nevada about 15 minutes to the east of Carson City.
(I graduated high School from Carson City and the girl who did my nails was employed buy the ranch to do all their nails once a week, boy howdy have I heard some stories! They also had a HBO series on them for a while, I don’t know if it is still on. And the owner has a ranch up by my parents house where the “girls” can go and “relax” lol. The briefly employed John Bobbitt as a chauffeur but he got to cocky (excuse the pun) and they fired him.
Funny stuff DRW. Your hubby must race D37
He sure does
Do you race?
Not in about 9 years, getting ready to start again in the Mag class, the old guys. Expert division.
Well come one out, we will be out in JV next weekend, just look for the yellow and blue HBMC flags.
The Bunny Ranch I heard about was at Lathrup wells, like 90 mi. No. of Vegas but that was in the 60s when I was a teen.
Hey, let’s not get side tracked here. My question was not entirely tongue in cheek. Sherry Hall needs to comply with the law just like she expects off-roaders should. It’s starting to look like her and some others in the little COW clique might be getting theirs at the expense of our freedom and if she gets stung, I’ll be the last to feel sorry for her.
Sorry to sidetrack
They all need to comply with all laws. Once their little bubble is popped I will be the first to tell them they can thank her for their troubles. If it wasn’t for her then this issue would have been kept quiet and no one would have even known about it.
Its like a kid blaming their sibling for stealing the cookies when she is the one with the crumbs on her shirt.
Hey Branson, how you doing? Hope you havent given the EMTs any business lately!
You know Mitzelfelt and Derry want to drop the staging permit requirement from the ordinance and the COWs are giving them hell about it.
What say you give us a hand? I know you are in agreement with the decission and I know you are following the issue. These boys could use some support to make this fly with the other Supervisors.
You could talk it up on the OHV websites and other media, get folks paying attention. Your pretty darn good with that stuff and I think we’ll have fun.
I’ll buy the beer!
Howdy Mike,
Lately, no food has poisoned me. Thank goodness I had insurance for that. The doctor that released me as I recall charged $147 for about a one minute quickie discharge meeting.
I didn’t know COW was fighting it so vigorously. They must fear the domino effect. I have been vocal about rescinding the staging section from #3793 for a long while. I just posted something about that a few day ago in here. It has a chilling effect on the Constitution. And I’m with Mitzelfelt and Friends of Giant Rock that the remaining portion of #3793 is reasonable and needs to be enforced.
The County will rescind it. Don’t worry. It will happen. I have inside information on that through the Zero Point Field law of physics. ;^)
My real concern right now is the Sugar Bowl and the Hilly Dunes (directly to the West, across Lear). Those areas need to remain within the protections of the City of 29, or the County under #3793, for a host of social, political, environmental, cultural, geological, flora and fauna and spiritual reasons.
Enough of all this agreement and civility. ;^)
Branson, If I may I would like to give you some info on the Sugar Bowl area. I have been around this area for over 50 years. The Sugar Bowl wash from Mesquite to Lear has been used by offroaders way before I was born. They just didn’t call them off roaders then. The area has trails and the whole shot through it. I would like to see the name of the scientist who came up with this is as a wildlife corridor. Do you think they might have an agenda? Don’t even tell me the GPAC came up with this. LOL.
As far as the Hilly Dunes area. I am totally against access to this area. There are houses and homesteads in this area. Off roaders can use the dunes in the Copper Mountain area of BLM land if they want to do hill climbs. I would only want to make access from Sugar Bowl to the BLM lands. There are numerous trails that exist in this area allready.
Sherry Hall is putting lipstick on the Hungry Bunny. The web site now reads.
“Our rates are $1800 per month (or 30 day period). Pets OK with fee.
We are avilable starting mid-February, 2010. Contact us to make a reservation”
Hungry Bunny went to a monthly rental from their day, weekend rental. The Hungry Bunny even pulled this add below.
Hungry Bunny Ranch in Joshua Tree
Real bed for $140. A beautiful, secluded 2200′ loft next to Joshua Tree National Park – Quiet and serene setting – Panoramic park views – Sleeps 4 …
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14040
So I guess she never heard of screen saves.
Here is the PDF of her prior daily rate page. Click here
Here is their available dates calender.
Drove by the hungry bunny ranch this afternoon, and I feel kinda bad for people who actually pay to rent this place. Well I guess there is 4 mismatched chairs outside to sit in and a firepit they can all get loaded around, but other then that its a little desert house that needs some TLC outside for sure.
Also drove by the Maude Adams house rented buy Susan Peplow, address is 7345 Maude Adams. Smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood and only 2 streets away from where we used to live. Right down the road where my daughter used to catch the bus.
Oh but the Japanese Tourists fly into 29 especially to stay there DRW. At least that is what she tried to tell us a couple of years ago. But then Japanese like eating raw whale meat too.
LMAO!
Are you coming to the meeting tomorrow night?
thinking so…… should be a pretty lively show.
That it will. We will see you there.
Under PC 09-32, an amendment to the “Development Code” of the City of Twentynine Palms by the addition of Chapter 19.55 regarding Vacation Home Rentals.
The Planning Commission had a “discussion” to stop everything that had been proposed to have a fair and equitable solution to the issue of VHR’s (see http://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/pca20090902wk_shop.pdf) but things stopped as soon as Chuck Caplinger took over as the chairman. He was completely against it from the start. The commission took a vote early on to continue planning for a code amendment where the vote went 4-1 with Chuck Caplinger dissenting.
Then behold the moment that he took over on Oct 6, 2009….
http://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/pcm20091006.pdf
RECOMMENDATION
Open and conduct the community Study Session, consider public comment
and provide guidance to staff to hold a further Study Session, advertise and bring forth a code amendment addressing Vacation Home Rentals or terminate these proceedings.
Director LaClaire presented a staff report to the Planning Commission
regarding an amendment to the “Development Code” of the City of
Twentynine Palms by the addition of Chapter 9.55 regarding Vacation Home
Rentals.
The Planning Commission’s direction was to send the item to the City
Council.
ACTION: On a motion made by Commissioner Mintz, seconded by Chair Caplinger and carried with a 3-1-1 roll call vote (Alderson no, Rinkes abstain) the Planning Commission directed that staff seek direction from the City Council regarding whether or not the Planning Commission should continue its efforts on this Code Amendment or terminate its proceedings.
So you see how the game is played.
Good people had good ideas. Citizens were given choices that would have allowed VHR’s and still been in the best interests of the city just to see it mucked up by the special interest groups.
There are provisions in the proposed code that would have kept VHR’s 1000′ from each other, ADA requirements were written, minimum lot
size requirements, number of occupants, any proposed VHR required a CUP and notice had to go out to all home owners within 1000′ of the VHR, no signs were allowed, lighting had to conform to city night sky ordnance, contact info for VHR owner had to be displayed outside the residence, Records, Business License, Transient Occupancy Tax and Performance Deposit all had to be maintained and up-to-date, TOT reporting and payments were required, and much more.
This is a workable and manageable issue for the City of Twentynine Palms. There just needs to be a document that allows for VHR’s and protects the ideals of the city.
Who is to say if vacation rentals would work or not. The argument here is that they are not in compliance as we speak. We’re talking about the double standard that has been the hallmark of Twentynine Palms for years. It shows to all of us that city government is business as usual, those that have it get it, those that want it are beat down.
When Joey and his mom Janet Buruer were told that they had to pave Homestead Drive down to Mornings Nursery, build curbs and gutters and pave the parking lot of an existing building to keep them from moving in, then less that a year later allow a base maintenance company to open at the same location with no demands, you know it is a double standard.
Vacation Home Rentals is just the latest injustice. Personally I am miffed that they have cheated the city out of their bed tax.
The only special interests that should hold the order of importance are the people at large and the community as a whole.
To implement this, Twenytnine Palms needs a City Council that that will respect the people and the community over special interests. At the present time but for one, the remaining Council Members have shown they are not of the right stuff to serve this end. Nice chaps, but lacking in common sense and easily influenced by special interests and friends.
MY opinion.
Granted that monies have been lost. But why not start collecting now from those that are already out there by bringing them into compliance?
Start fresh and continue on with rules that work for both sides.
That would be a tough sell to oh, the IRS or the Franchise Tax Board, believe you me.
Look they knew it was not kosher since at least May of 2009. Most just blew the city off and continued to scofflaw.
Hall in particular knows that what she did was wrong and proved it by changing her website to reflect that.
I think that it is only fair that they all pay the piper (from May 2009 to date).
As to if the community even wants Vacation Rentals, that is still in the air.
I wont argue any of that, I’ll let them do their job.
The only thing I am interested in now, is what is the City of Twentynine Palms going to do?
My suggestion is to write a code that works. Plain and simple.
I recommend the City start a public service announcement in the newspapers, radio as well as a mail campaign calling for a cease-and-desist order pertaining to Vacation Home Rentals inside the City’s sphere of influence. Heavy fines should be levied on the non permitted businesses to protect the City from slip and fall lawsuits in the future.
One subject that has not been touched on is are people renting homes in the area and then re renting them as Vacation Home Rentals? Renting a home and re renting it as a Vacation Rental takes this home out of the available low income housing so how will this effect the City with the State?
If the City stands idle and does nothing will this open the City up to lawsuits? If the City does decide to allow vacation rentals the City should require all San Bernardino County regulations be followed before City acceptance.
Here food for thought.
With all the tattoo parlors, massage parlors, and haircut places in Twentynine Palms, where is the sales tax at?
Hi HDent,
I don’t think there is sales tax on tattoo’s, massages, or haircuts. I know that when I get my haircut there is no sales tax. I also know that when I got my one and only tattoo I did not pay sales tax. I have not had a massage yet – maybe tomorrow on that one.
What we do get is the business license fee, very small, and the building property tax.
We do get sales tax from Staters, the Dollar store, Tires, automotive parts, etc.
None of those add up to the likes of Walmart in Yucca but it is there.
The lion’s share of General Fund revenues comes from the hotel/motel industry in the form of the TOT.
I hope this partially answered your question.