HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-16,Thompson, Vacation, Public CommentMayor Taylor, Commissioners;
Our choice of housing is driven by many components, proximity to schools, work, recreation,
and an implied understanding that our neighbors share similar work ethics and values. The intrusion of Vacation Rental homes into a neighbor is simply a missing front tooth in maintaining the shared common interest of the neighborhood we chose to live and raise our families. The reality is that it creates a spot-zoning situation, in essence a private luxury suite, at
no additional cost to the VRBO , and extracts value from adjacent property owners who believed
they were not buying a family home next door to a motel. Business usage is different than families. Maybe a new development can have a single block of VRBO's which has a business
zoning designation, because that is the real use of the property and determines the taxable value
of the property.
Even college students develop a longer term relation with their neighbors because they wish to avoid adversarial relationships. In fact in some locations the neighbors take on the role of de
facto parents, can you clean up the yard, keep noise down, or even provide a "jump" for their
cars. Really, aren't all our neighbors kinda like having parents, gosh my lawn looks shabby,
shovel my sidewalks etc.
Neighborhood image is a more effective way to guide personal behavior choices than city ordinances.
This neighborhood relationship, of shared values, determined by the location of our homes, is
simply the life blood of a community.
VRBO's do not contribute to the friendly image of creating our neighbors, of reaching out to
assist or require assistance from those next door. We have no shared affiliation with VRBO tenants, and will suffer decreased property values as a result.
Vacation rental homes are best suited for owner occupied properties who lease out their auxiliary
dwelling unit which is at the rear of their lot. At least the owner shares the neighborhood values,
consideration for others in the block.
I urge you to carefully consider how you chose to create community in our town and do not
allow VRBO homes in residential zoned areas.
thank you, George Thompson
12 Hill St, Bozeman