News & President's Corner

News from the PIPOA - Marvin Jones, President

Date:

May 18, 2022

Details:

Full Transparency and Disclosure
News you can Use

As always, let me have your thoughts. You can reach me at marvin@pipoa.net or call me at 469- 231-3485. You can also call the Padre Isles Property Owners Association (PIPOA) office with  any questions you have at 361-949-7025. 

Short-term Rentals (STRs)- On Monday, May 16, 2022, the City’s stakeholder committee held  another meeting. The meeting was called on very short notice. The purpose of the meeting was  to preview and discuss the City’s staff presentation for the City Council on Tuesday, May 17.  The meeting degenerated into bashing the Island for opposing short-term rentals in the RS-6  zoning (single-family residential). The President and CEO of the Corpus Christi Board of  Realtors were especially vehement in pushing her agenda to have unfettered short-term rentals in  the RS-6 zoning. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is in contrast to what I have been told by local real  estate brokers and agencies. It is all about the money!  

Port Aransas is awash in short-term rentals. The problems Port A residents are having with  STRs are becoming legendary. Port A recently had a City election in which large sums of  money from outside the City poured in to support candidates in favor of STRs. The short-term  rental industry has reached the point where big money outside the Corpus Christi area is now  buying influence. The outside money is now pushing influence on our Island to promote short term rentals.  

Tuesday, May 17, I watched the City Council meeting as the Council received a briefing from  City Staff regarding the STRs. This was the same briefing I spoke of above. The briefing  contained a City Staff provision for prohibiting short-term rentals in the RS-6 zoning for the  Island. However, the City Council questioned at great length why the Island should be excluded  from the broad-based inclusion of STRs. I found two issues several Councilpersons put forward  to stand out. The Council clearly wants the hotel/motel tax that STRs would generate in the RS 6. The second issue that stood out was the concern by the Council regarding tourists having a  positive experience on the Island in STRs. That is, the Council wants to make sure the tourist’s  experience on the Island is as positive as possible. Noticeably lacking in the Council’s  discussions was concern about the property owners, taxpayers, and voters’ experience on the  Island. It seems the Council has less concern for Island residents than it does for the transient  tourists.  

The City has, according to City Manager Peter Zanoni, suspended enforcement of the RS-6  prohibition against STRs in the City of Corpus Christi. I specifically asked Mr. Zanoni if this  included suspending the enforcement of the new registration ordinance. He did not answer this  question. Instead, he moved on to another topic. 

The Council and City Staff are well aware of Islanders’ objection to STRs in the RS-6 zoning.  The thousands of property owners that are opposed to STRs must unite and present a unified,  aggressive voice to the City Council. If Islanders are apathetic and fail to present their position  to the Council, there is no doubt that many Islanders will have the opportunity to live next door  to STR party houses. 

Whitecap Development- At the City Council meeting, the funding for the development was  discussed. The developer’s request for a PID (Public Improvement District) is moving along.  The development is not a gated community; it is open to the public. One issue that seems to be  overlooked in the funding is, City money may be used for improvements such as parkland,  sidewalks, and so on because these are open to the public.  

Board Meeting- The next PIPOA Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 5:30  PM at the Padre Island Baptist Church located across from Whataburger.  

Memorial Day- The PIPOA office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May  30, 2022. 

Marvin Jones, PIPOA President