HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-17 Public Comment -G. Thompson -ShortTermRentalsChris,
As a semi-retired person, (only 2 part-time jobs!) I really enjoy watching young families moving
into our neighborhood. There is something about seeing these kids grow that pushes me to vote
for school bonds and support our community events. As one of the many aging in place seniors
living here, I do not look forward to having transient strangers next door, hence the following
letter.
April 21, 2017
Mayor and Commissioners,
RE: Short Term Rentals (STR).
Please do not allow the Type 2 and Type 3 STR’s to remove potential neighbors from our
community.
Issue: Many believe that Bozeman offers a strong sense of community and involvement with our
neighbors. The transient nature of non-owner occupied STR’s replaces homes with a business,
and benefits to investors at expense of shared neighborhood experiences
A neighborhood depends upon shared experiences which only come through the long term
communications with those living next door. Whether it be assisting older neighbors, keeping an
eye on strangers in the neighborhood, sharing garden vegetables or flowers, introducing our pets
to the kids next door, or simply talking about the birds migrating through our area ("did you see
that Western Tanigiers are in town?" put out your suet).
This sense of community happens only as a result of shared experiences with our next door
neighbors. Even the house full of college students, in a residential area, develop working
relationships with their neighbors and bring a familiar face and vitality to the area which is not
possible with the constant change of STR occupants.
STR Definitions and Analysis:
STR Type 1 are appropriate neighborhood use, and could be expanded to include the ADU
if the property owner is the main year-round occupant and primary contact person for any
issues which may arise. The on-site property owner contributes to the social fabric and is
very sensitive to neighborhood concerns and safety issues.
STR Type 2 and Type 3 provide non-occupant owners the ability to operate STR. This will only
erode neighborhoods as more houses are purchased by investors for sole purpose of cash returns
as non-owner occupied business.
As such, Type 2, 3 STR’s should be restricted to designated Business zoning areas.
Discussion Points: The idea that the STR home is for future retirement is not valid, as homes
can have long term leases and convert to retiree homes later. The higher returns of STR come at
the cost of destroying neighborhood integrity. The issue of having additional STR income while
property owners are out of town for extended periods of time is irrelevant as the cost of being out
of town is more expensive than simply staying home. Bozeman already has too many non-
resident vacation homes. STR’s will only exacerbate the situation.
Would you rather have a family with 3-4 kids living next door, watching them grow up playing
with your children or do you prefer to have a STR motel next door and have your kids interact
with strangers? An STR located near schools or a popular children’s park can easily attract the
wrong type of guests. If the “diversity” offered by STR’s is relevant to single family property
owners, more people would be figuring out how to live immediately adjacent to motels.
It is really best to let the professionally managed hotels in town handle our visitors. You will
each be choosing to allow STR’s to succeed because investors can undercut the price of a hotel
stay without consideration to the long term neighborhood residents who bring their shared
passions and enthusiasm into all of our community’s events.
Please do not allow the Type 2 and Type 3 STR’s to remove potential neighbors from our
community.
Thank You,
George Thompson
12 Hill Street, Bozeman