Los Gatos is prohibiting the Lavender Lady—a Victorian home located at 230 Tait Ave.—from being partially rented as apartments, a bed-and-breakfast, a vacation rental and a boarding house.
And that has raised the ire of its owner, Lynley Kerr Hogan, who has began an online petition to try and change the town's code, which doesn't allow short-term rental properties in the historic Almond Grove neighborhood.
"... Government should not be able to prohibit you from renting your own home," Hogan writes in the petition which has been signed by more 100 supporters.
Hogan contends that the town has held many events in front of the home and nearby, which have caused more disturbance to the neighborhood than her rental business.
Hogan also argues that the town needs a temporary, fully furnished home rental in the downtown area.
From the porch of the home, Hogan writes in her petition, one can enjoy the , the town's Halloween celebration, the holiday parade, , as well as events at nearby on Bachman Avenue.
Hogan also said the Lavender Lady business is her only source of income.
Los Gatos Town Manager Greg Larson said in an email interview that there are no restrictions on Hogan from renting the home to another family as an ongoing residence.
However, he said, the area's zoning prevents her from renting a portion of the home or leasing it out for temporary rental uses.
Larson said Hogan's request for a zoning code change to allow such short term rentals has raised concerns and complaints from nearly two dozen neighbors in the single-family residential area.
He added that there was no support for her proposed zoning code change when presented to the Los Gatos Conceptual Development Advisory Committee comprised of Los Gatos Planning Commissioners and Council members.
Council member Steven Leonardis said the town has an ordinance that prohibits bed-and-breakfasts. He also said Hogan has a website dedicated to the property where she advertises it as a short-term rental and for other uses such as weddings, business trips and family outings.
Leonardis said he owns a home on Tait Avenue that he rents for $6,500 a month and said Hogan could probably rent her property for $6,000 a month and make more money than the income she's receiving now in violation of town code.
