HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-17 Public Comment - L. Prugh -ShortTermRentalsDear elected City Commissioners, I am reaching out both personally and as a neighbor of the
CPNA who realize the benefits of STR. I have had many casual conversations with at least 10
individuals in the CPNA who share my interest in using STR income from our
homes/apts./rooms to pay rising costs of our basic taxes, utilities, and expenses. Upon further
conversation, it is clear to me while we all come from different income levels; the 2 main reasons
to choose to share our homes are to pay the ever increasing costs of "must pay" living expenses
and to share what might be an underutilized property with folks who WE wish to welcome to our
Bozeman community. It seems from the experience I had attending the 3 STR forums organized
by the COB STR task force that this majority sentiment prevailed throughout the geography of
neighborhoods attending. I understand this is not a new issue among communities and find the
City of Austin ordinance for licensing vacation STR use to be a good sample going forward.
I feel within our own community the fairness issue is top priority.
LTR vs. STR? WHY should a LTR landlord have literally no boundaries where the STR
landlord has many rules and regulations?
I listened and I heard the majority of complaints were directed toward the LTR absentee
landlords. Complaints of garbage, abandon cars, doors hanging on hinges, unmowed lawns,
parties, chairs on rooftops, noise and so forth were directed toward LTR properties. I am told the
Montana Landlord law prevails.
ALL individuals involved must be identified for this process to be successful and FAIR and
while I will never tattle; I believe it is going to be a very difficult process to find and notice ALL
property owners who are realizing a small and NECESSARY income stream from their STR. In
the meantime; I will long term rent my property, which I feel is also an unfair solution but I have
no choice if I want to be legal under the current moratorium AND the simple truth of my story
and so many others is WE HAVE TO RENT to afford Bozeman costs. So I implore that you
resolve your STR discussions with the following recommendations:
1. Resolve decisions before the 2nd 6 month moratorium expires.
2. Simplify the process to encourage compliance.
3. Make owners pay fairly for COB employees involvement in the process.
4. Give owners a chance to do the right thing by streamlining the process and charge fees
that are affordable in ALL residential zones, again encouraging compliance.
4. Make requirements listed in #6 as part of ALL zones within the licensing process.
5. Recommend ALL STR in ALL zones should have stringent supervisory owners,
managers, or family members who oversee operations 24/7, not necessarily 'on sight'.
6. Recommend licensing process of STR should include: COB business license, fire &
sanitation inspection, proof of State hotel tax payment, proof of property insurance, COA
inspection notice posted, etc.
7. Recognize that the majority of folks who offer their homes as STR ALSO have their heart
invested in their community which we all love.
Regards,
Lisa Prugh (45 year resident COB)
3/9/2017
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W. Lisa Prugh
406-599-6004