The joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission on March 21 played out more like two back-to-back meetings, or so it appeared in the online meeting videos.
The Planning Commission last week unanimously approved a an application from the Carolla family for a transient rental license and a Coastal Development Permit. The goal was to allow their property on Clemente Avenue to be rented for periods of fewer than 30 days.
During the brief public hearing, Brian Carolla spoke in favor of the application. No one spoke against it. The city didn’t receive any comments for or against the application prior to the hearing.
“The unit consists of two (2) bedrooms and two (2) bathrooms. The project is in the Coastal Zone and subject to a Coastal Development Permit, which requires a public hearing and Planning Commission approval,” according to the staff report by Planning Senior Administrative Assistant Donna Terpinitz-Romo.
According to her report, staff analysis found that less than 50% of the properties adjacent have either conditional use permits or transient rental licenses. (Avalon has been phasing out CUPs for vacation rentals and replacing them with licenses.)
“Southern California Edison (SCE) has determined the conversion to a transient rental will not require a water allocation; thus, the application is in compliance with the 2023 Growth Policy,” wrote Terpinitz-Romo.
“The proposed project involves a request of approval of a transient rental license under Article 3 of the AMC [Avalon Municipal Code]. Transient rental use is permitted in any zone upon Planning Commission approval of a Transient Rental License. (AMC 9-6.602(a)) The house has been previously used as a vacation home,” wrote Terpinitz-Romo.
The state government requires a Coastal Development Permit for transient rentals.
“In December 2016, the City received an opinion letter from the California Coastal Commission (Coastal Commission) noting their position that conversion to transient use constitutes a change in intensity in use and should be authorized pursuant to a coastal development permit,” wrote Terpinitz-Romo.
“Based on the opinion, the application for transient rental use must include a Coastal Development Permit (CDP),” wrote Terpinitz-Romo.
Islander reader David Thompson on March 27 wrote: “I think owners that have transient rental properties should be paying into a City program that provides and facilitates housing access for residents.”
Planners also approved “a temporary ‘Immersive Projection Dome Experience’” that would take place at 10 Island Plaza.
The vote was unanimous.
“The project is in the Coastal Zone and is subject to a Coastal Development Permit, which requires a public hearing and Planning Commission approval,” wrote City Manager David Maistros in his staff report.
“The applicant, Mark Davidson, of Immersive Education, LLC dba Akuario, proposes construction of an approximately 690 square foot platform with a temporary wood and fiberglass domed structure,” Maistros wrote.
“The landowner, the Santa Catalina Island Company, has approved the project,” Maistros wrote.
“The site, a large irregularly shaped rectangular parcel measuring approximately 92,000 square feet, is located in the “Flats” at the intersection of Catalina Avenue and 3rd Street. It is primarily used as a tour plaza surrounded by a mix of other commercial uses including retail, food/beverage, mini golf and residential areas,” Maistros wrote.
The proposed project is to have a 20- to 22-foot wood frame with a fiberglass dome that will feature an undersea mural, according to the Maistros report. The project would start July 1, for a 180-day trial period, from 1 to 9 p.m. each day.
“The application’s scope of work is limited and mostly temporary or portable in nature, as well as within the existing footprint and will not result in any nonconforming circumstances,” Maistros wrote.
“The project involves an approximately 690 square foot platform with a temporary wood and fiberglass domed structure,” Maistros wrote.
“The structure will be located in the fenced picnic/waiting area adjacent to the Wildlands Express pick up area and bordering the outside of Golf Gardens, so any traffic impacts will be mitigated by the ample space for foot traffic and waiting areas,” Maistros wrote.
“No water allocation is necessary for this project as it does not involve a residential use and no food or beverage will be served at the location,” Maistros wrote.
