Hansen: Short-term rental debate shows Laguna’s thin skin

It’s those meddling, screaming kids.

Laguna Beach’s short-term lodging issue has turned into a character debate between outside transients — complete with their SUVs stuffed with loud children — and serenity-seeking Laguna homeowners.

At a divisive, two-hour subcommittee meeting July 14, residents lined up to tell Mayor Steve Dicterow, Councilman Bob Whalen and city staff how they felt.

Not unlike the U.S. presidential race, it was split down the middle and full of venom. Somewhere in between were a handful of speakers who just wanted everyone to chill out and get along.

“I just hope you find some compassion,” said Billy Fried, near the end of the parade. Fried likened the effort to prohibition, which never works.

The issue facing Laguna is seemingly straightforward: Should the city allow Airbnb-type rentals in residential areas, and if so, under what conditions? A current moratorium will expire in October.

The Planning Commission wants short-term rentals banned, essentially, but a proposal on the table would allow them for two weeks a year per residence.

Detractors say any time is too long because, well, they don’t like children disrupting their lives. They don’t like transients parking in the neighborhood, and they don’t like people on their lawns.

They were quick to raise their fists in the air and shake them vigorously during the meeting for emphasis.

People in support of short-term housing typically drink French wine and prefer Cambria over Laguna in the summer.

During the meeting, they were clearly annoyed and wondered when Laguna became such a prude state.

“It would be nice if Village Laguna and all the others could work together,” said Lydia Bell, who with husband David owns a short-term rental in north Laguna.

But there was not going to be any détente at this meeting. Former City Councilwoman Verna Rollinger set the tone early by lamenting the already crushing number of tourists in the city.

“I believe 6 million tourists are enough,” she said to a small cheer from the crowd.

Dicterow quickly put a stop to the outbursts, saying he would halt public testimony if they continued.

Hence the fist waving.

By way of background, about 80 homes have been approved as short-term rentals, according to the city. Most operate without any problems. Director of Community Development Greg Pfost said that if complaints are filed, many involve only a few repeat offenders.

The city will continue debating this issue during the summer and make a final decision before the current moratorium expires. Several more meetings like this one will be held, in case you want to witness the goings-on for yourself.

What this demonstrates, mostly, is how quickly entrenched Laguna becomes over issues that are, quite frankly, not very important compared to the big scheme of things, like terrorism, environmental disaster and a catastrophic fire.

If the city opts to prohibit short-term rentals, people will work around the ban. The Internet always wins. Ease of use beats bureaucracy. “Pokemon Go” beats cable.

The point is Laguna is once again showing that it is losing its tolerance and grace.

I must have heard variations of “meddling kids” about a dozen times during this public hearing.

Angry, fist-waving Lagunans.

Forty-five-year homeowner … hates kids.

Thirty-year homeowner … hates “wailing children.”

Fifty-year homeowner … hates everyone.

I’ll tell you what, I’m an eight-year Laguna Beach renter and I don’t hate anyone.

As we speak, my neighbor, a homeowner, is having a large, loud party — with children, dogs and music.

If it gets too loud, I will walk over, knock on the door and ask to join.

And later, if I dance, I may even shake my fist in the air.

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DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.