Oxnard property owner complains of community association tyranny
To the editor: Since the other paper has now published 4 letters in favor of the Mandalay Shores Community Association (MSCA) in Oxnard, I hope you will consider this as a fair counterpoint.
Scene from Mandalay Shores beach community in Oxnard. Photo: George Miller/CitizensJournal.us
I am a proud and responsible owner of a second home in Oxnard Shores, as many are, and my son and I enjoy it immensely. In fact, I had been coming to the area and renting homes for vacations for 20 years prior to purchasing my own. There is a contentious battle raging for control of the Mandalay Shores Community Association Board of Directors, an outdated Homeowners Association, mostly centered around the topic of Short Term Rentals. (Editor’s note: It is actually a community association- there is a legal distinction)
The current board has been operating with many irregularities (secret meetings, inability for new members to run, economic irresponsibility, tons of money in accounts, non-transparency of information, private agendas, raising dues to hire lawyers, on and on and on), and now, due to some bad behavior by VERY few Short Term Rentals unfortunately located VERY close to some board members homes, the current board is planning on over-reaching regulations and legal actions that are tearing up the community. And I must point out, we are talking about some 50-60 houses that are ever rented out of 1400 to begin with. These are PERSONAL arguments that the current board members are using to put the entire area in turmoil.
The idea that this is a “real” HOA is in question to begin with, as there is no common property, and it’s boundary lines are completely outdated anyway. Because of development over the last 20 years, there are LITERALLY streets where one side is “covered” by the MSCA and others are not, however we are ALL covered by the Oxnard Association, which works much more closely and carefully WITH the city and county, as they should.
I purchased a run-down home that I made significant improvements to, because I love the area and had vacationed there for years. My home has even received two “beautification awards” from the MSCA. We use it all we can, and I protect is as a highly valuable asset. We also rent it out when not in use by myself or family and friends through a highly respectable and regulated Property Manager, REMAX, well known in the area for their local community interests and fine business practices. The home is immaculately maintained (I wouldn’t have it otherwise, of course), always clean, every renter pays a large security deposit, and is strictly vetted by REMAX, with STRICT minimums, and OF COURSE, REMAX can be reached 24 hours a day for any issues. Obviously, the appropriate taxes are paid on every rental. My neighbors OF COURSE can reach me any time of day, and I have great relationships with ALL OF THEM——there has NEVER been a complaint, EVER, from ANY neighbor, about me, a friend using my house, a renter and family enjoying a long weekend, a week at the beach, or the many military families who rent for longer periods when they are in town for work.
I’m not saying EVERY owner has been as sensitive to being a good neighbor as I have, however every owner I have spoken to has been. The benefits to the community are obvious—tax base for the city and county, well maintained properties that otherwise would be standing vacant, MUCH-NEEDED economic support for local businesses, LIFE in an area with MANY often vacant second homes, and unprecedented growth in property values. It seems that some of the board members and their supporters are completely blind to any of these, and simply want Oxnard Shores to turn into a ghost-town, full of badly maintained vacant second homes, less local thriving businesses, and empty beaches and streets. That is so unfortunate and poorly thought out. It seems it’s mostly angry retired members who have the feeling they have moved to a “retirement community”. They haven’t. It’s why I RENTED houses there for years before purchasing my own.
This is a COUNTY and CITY issue. EVERY owner, including myself, will OF COURSE abide by any regulations and guidelines that are put forth by the city and county—in fact, I welcome them. Just because some board member simply cannot find a way to get along with their neighbor, does not mean that they should be allowed to tear up the entire community. Especially since the reach and legality of the practices and function of the outdated MSCA is in question to begin with.
I urge more people to pay attention to this matter, read ALL of the information, and VOTE. I look forward to whatever the City and County pass in terms of regulating, licensing, and monitoring what has always been a treasured and enjoyable destination, both for living AND vacationing.
William Paszamant
Oxnard Shores
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We are also the proud owners of our 2nd home here in the Shores now for 14 years. We have rented it out short term Owner/Operator RESPONSIBLY for the last 14 years. NOT ONE TIME has there ever been a complaint by any neighbor or Police. That is despite the fact that there is a board member living directly across from me. In addition, my neighbors have often told me how much they enjoy the lovely families who rent.
The STR issue is a Facade for personal agendas of the current board. There are 45 short term rentals out of the 1450 members in the Mandalay Shores Association. Only 4 to 5 are known as party houses that in the past have not been considerate.
We are ready and willing to work with the city with what ever solution they come up with. THIS IS NOT AN MSCA ISSUE.. Don’t let them take you down the road of costly litigation that will most definitely occur and members will pay the price.
One of the many reasons that we chose to live in Oxnard Shores rather than the two other beaches within walking distance, is the fact that on any given day there are many homes that have full time residence. Now it may be rented or may be homeowner, but the homes are well maintained and there are actually people in them. I understand renting, I really do, and I know that it makes it hard to know who actually lives in the home when there are many in/out people, however, I think when there are people around there is less chance of homes being vandalized. We love this beach and are so proud to call it home, we live here year round and watch out for our neighbors, and are active in our community. Oxnard Shores is and will always be a part of the cities “best kept secret!”
@Bob, The Beach is for everybody. Are you saying the police are doing a poor job and not providing Security? Or the city does not enforce parking and keeping the streets clean? These are serious allegations. Clearly you have not looked around as to the state of repair of many of the homes in the area, almost all of which are not STRs. Who would rent those termite traps? Renting out one’s home is not any more “greedy” than another way to make a dollar, Real Estate rental is the second oldest profession in the world. Did you just notice that homes have been rented there for the last 40 years? Sounds like a personal agenda.
No actualy this is just another motel owner, something that has increased 150% in the last few years.
Neighborhoods are for neighbors not motels, you want a motel stay at the embassy suites, they have their own security , parking and clean up .
Sure you put some money into the property ,what other property owner doesn’t?
The MSCA will put a stop to the greed driven STR business in our beach and allow the tranquility all those who live here used to enjoy before the motel owners tried to make a buck
Mr. Launius continues to describe anyone other than a full-time resident as a “motel owner”, in an effort to flare tension in the community. He does it across a wide number of websites. Obviously, my home is not a motel, and families and military using it for a week-long beach vacaton or longer, under the watchful eye of a property manager, myself, and my neighbors, have never treated it as such. EVER.
@Bob, last I check the Embassy Suites is not a motel (it’s a hotel) and neither are single family homes. Sounds like you don’t even live in an HOA according to the editor also. Looks like a case of a busy body neighbors trying to control other people’s property.