In under a month, residents of Palm Springs will vote on Measure C, which will determine the fate of short-term rentals in the city. In advance of the vote, the city of Palm Springs sent out a mailer (at a cost of $7,500) outlining the provisions of the measure and a study that is supposed to outline the what the effects of would be if they are put in place – and that’s where things get a little ridiculous.
The Desert Sun reports on the mailer, which has been disputed by Rob Grimm, a member of Palm Springs Neighbors for Neighborhoods.
Grimm also took issue with some of the claims about an economic impact study which predicted dire financial consequences if Measure C passed including, “up to $190 million in lost revenue to local businesses.”
When presented at a City Council meeting, Council members also questioned the study’s results. City staff told the Council the study results indicated what would happen if all the tourists staying in Palm Springs vacation rentals never returned to the city.
The study apparently failed to include other possibilities, including that some of those renters could stay in hotels or that homes sold by current rental owners could be bought by permanent residents, lessening the projected impacts on home values or loss of revenue to city businesses.
So yeah, if Measure C passes all short-term rentals will just sit empty forever and every tourist who has ever set foot in a short-term rental will never return to Palm Springs. Ever! Not at a hotel. Not at a friend’s house. Not for a day trip. Not even to stop for a burger or for some gas on their way to Phoenix!!
Look, no matter what side of the Measure C debate you are on, everyone can agree the study’s results are laughable and, well, it’s Palm Springs, so I guess it’s expected.
The city says it reviewed the information included in the report before sending it and that the language is “completely legal.” And, sure, maybe it is.
But, it’s also incredibly misleading.
