On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council unanimously agreed to direct staff to work on its municipal code to help prevent back yard rentals and regulate parties in residential zones.
The council, however, went a step further by explaining it wanted to better define “dwelling unit” in its municipal code to include backyards and pools. The item was placed under a future agenda item which needed council approval to direct staff to begin working on an amendment to the municipal code.
This was in response to a recent party at a home which resulted in a gunfight which left one person dead on July 14. The Brentwood Police Department did announce one arrest. The location has come under scrutiny by residents who claim this house is known for paid parties and renting out the backyard.
At a recent council meeting, a dozen residents spoke out about the shooting, public safety concerns, and the parties. They also spoke about the impacts its had on their lives since the shooting.
After hearing from residents, the city announced it would address the issue and place the item on an agenda to focus on for-profit backyard parties.
Councilmember Jovita Mendoza
On Tuesday, Councilwoman Jovita Mendoza proposed the item and urged the city to be proactive in responding to resident concerns over parties in residential areas in the City of Brentwood.
“I don’t care if people call us party poopers when it comes to safety,” said Mendoza who said she didn’t want the Brentwood Police Department to feel second guessed if checking in on a party.
She urged the city to find a way to further empower the police department to check on parties and other resident concerns.
“I don’t even think its amendments, we already have laws around businesses like this, I think we need to clarify it and work with the police department when people call in,” said Mendoza who questioned how they would differentiate around a party for a family member and a paid backyard party. “We need to find away and empower the police department to not feel like we are going to get upset when they go check on a party.”
She called for strengthening the wording in the ordinance as well as community outreach.
“I know community development is reactive on things like this but we need to be proactive,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza also questioned the short-term rentals noting she went online and found a bunch in Brentwood.
“They are not allowed so I think once a quarter we need to peruse for short-term rentals and things like that and things we think might be a problem,” stated Mendoza who urged more investigating looking for parties online. “We need a proactive approach to this instead of being reactive, we cant see this happen again because its to heart breaking and awful and people are still suffering.”
Councilperson PA’Tanisha Pierson said they did need to amend their municipal code for short-term rentals which she said should extend to the backyard. She argued the way the code reads its talking about the dwelling unit which is inside—noting there are rental’s for pools and people can rent out the backyard.
“I would like to make sure we are not saying the dwelling unit, does it include the backyard because some people are renting out their backyards for weddings and other events,” said Pierson. “We need to extend that and define what dwelling unit is. We also need to add in our definition of what a dwelling units and if it doesn’t extend to backyards we need to extend it.”
Councilmember Tony Oerelmans suggested that they should include in the short-term rental was away not to allow people to say they are not “renting” but I am “charging to use” while I am there. He urged them to include it in the ordinance.
City Manager Tim Ogden said that prior to the changes moving forward, it would have to gain Planning Commissioner approval and asked if the council wanted it first before going to the planning commission or have the council look at it after the planning commission.
The council opted to want to work on it first.
Police Chief Tim Herbert advised the council that they do have to follow laws when it comes to parties and peoples homes which also plays a factor in whatever the municipal code is amended to say.
The council then agreed to direct staff to work on municipal code amendments to short-term rentals and home occupation. It was approved in a 5-0 vote.
1 comment
Jovita makes great points, for once.
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