HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-17 Public Comment - R. Martell - Short Term Rentals1
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From:Maryann M <maryann.martell@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 21, 2017 11:16 PM
To:Agenda
Subject:STR comments
Categories:Public Comment
Richard Martell, PhD, Organizational Psychologist:
We have lived in Bozeman for 25 years and I am sitting here thinking that this is not the Bozeman I know with all these rules and
regulations. What is the goal? I would argue that the goal is not 100 compliance. The goal is to remedy problems that you think are
associated with STRs. That is the goal. We are not here just to get people to comply because we like to have high levels of compliance. That
is not why we are here. My feeling and it is a very strong one, we are talking about solutions in search of a problem.
Does anyone know how many households we have in Bozeman? How many vacation rentals we have? The number has varied from 150 to
300. There can be double counting because the same house will show on multiple platforms. But given the information we have, the math is
as follows. The census says we have 18,293 households so:
(a) If there are 150 STR’s that would be 0.8% of households;
(b) If there are 300 STR’s it would be 1.6%.
Airbnb thinks that most STR’s are Type 1 and Type 2 so maybe we have 50 that are a Type 3. If so that would be 0.25%. This is not a large
percentage !!
As an organizational psychologist and PhD, I am not seeing any reliable data collected in a professional manner that ascertains and makes
clear that we have a problem that needs to be solved.
There are 2 sources of data, qualitative date, quantitative data.
Respectfully, a scientist I am not able to use the public forums and stickums on the wall.
So, the only thing that matters here is the written survey. Generally above 1,000 should be used. There are under 1,000 (there are 768) in this
written sample and that is what we have. So I will use that as the basis for my analysis.
When asked about STR’s, 73% thought they should allowed in all city residential zoning district.
So if allowed in all zoning areas, what would the STR scenario look like. For meeting community concerns, we want to make sure that our
property is well cared for, are not left empty and dark, that there are no nuisances, police calls, and that there is enhanced safety. STR parking
should not negatively impact the neighborhood; STR’s should not effect the supply of housing
Well, when we rent, we are evaluated any our guests on a public forum. We do not to put a sign on the door, We have been in conversation
with our guests. We send them the information on rules of the house, community and expected norms. They know who to contact. We have
insurance, we would be crazy not to.
Many have been confused about what regulations to follow. Many of us had business license but then later were told not have to do this given
that things may change. We have also been told that a CUP is onerous; we do not have the resources or manpower so do not apply for it. And
so, we and our property manager followed state regulations, paid bed tax and got health and fire inspections to comply. That is a point of
litigation.
In the interest of equity I urge you to consider deeply to grandfather those who have been in compliance with state law and then if numbers of
STR's are an issue, put a cap on new STR's.