The San Diego City Council last night approved one ordinance designed to limit mini-dorms but kicked another back for more work.
The approved ordinance would require owners of homes with six or more adult occupants to apply for $1,000 annual permits. The permits would require parking spaces for all but one adult.
It passed 7-1, with Councilman Ben Hueso dissenting. He said he was concerned about large families who must live together because of the high cost of living. Council members asked city staff members to address issues of affordability for low-income families before the ordinance returns for a final vote.
The second measure, a rooming house ordinance, would ban homes with three or more bedrooms from having three or more separate rental agreements. It would outlaw future rentals of this type immediately and existing ones in three years.
The council voted it down, 5-3, then unanimously voted to bring it back in January with amendments.
Currently, the City Attorney's Office and the city's Development Services Department disagree over how it is crafted. The department thinks part of it is too subjective and not enforceable.
Last night's meeting, at Mission Valley Church of the Nazarene, drew about 200 spectators – mostly longtime San Diegans against mini-dorms. Many wore red shirts that declared their opposition to the rentals. They have said the mini-dorms bring parties, trash and noise to their neighborhoods around San Diego State University.
“We are not against the rental of homes,” said El Cerrito resident Rob Nelson. “We are against the destroying of homes by modifying them so the landlords can make enough money to cover the mortgage and, quote-unquote, improvements.”
Rolando resident Karen Collins said people in her neighborhood believe the rooming house ordinance “is an important step toward restoring the quality of life in San Diego's neighborhoods.”
El Cerrito resident Brian Rickling said rental homes have been around a long time. What's changed in the past decade is the commercialization of these rentals with the additions to create homes with as many as eight and nine bedrooms.
Doug Case, president of the College Area Community Council, said his group supports both ordinances, which the group says go a long way toward combating mini-dorms. But the group would like some amendments. The permits are too expensive, he said, and the ordinance passed last night could have unintended consequences on households with immigrants on a limited income or large extended families.
“If they can't provide all the parking spaces, what are they supposed to do? Kick grandma out? Get rid of a car?” he said before to the meeting. There should be a hardship clause for struggling households, he said.
The rooming house ordinance would guard against landlords trying sidestep the measure with a master lease. Case said the community council liked that safeguard but felt that the way it was written was too rigid and could be used to discriminate against students.
The Development Services Department has taken the position that this portion of the measure was too subjective, and council members requested some amendments.
College Area resident Patrick Shannon was among a handful of speakers against the ordinances.
“It does not seem right to have to pay a fee of $1,000 to live the way you want to live in your own home. . . . It will reduce housing opportunities for low-income people by increasing the cost,” he said.
A representative from the San Diego County Apartment Association also spoke against the measures.
Sherry Saavedra: (619) 542-4598; sherry.saavedra@uniontrib.com
