HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-17 Public Comment - D. Newell - Short Term Rentals1
Clerk Temp
From:Deejay Newell <deejay@treelinecoffee.com>
Sent:Monday, May 22, 2017 5:58 PM
To:Agenda
Subject:Small Businesses Support Short Term Rentals
Categories:Public Comment
Hello,
My name is Deejay Newell and I am one of the owners of Treeline Coffee Roasters located in the Northside
neighborhood at 624 N. Wallace. It has recently come to our attention that the existence of STR's in R2 zones is
being threatened. We are a small (and fairly new) business that exists in the middle of a wonderful
neighborhood. This neighborhood is made up of a collection of other smaller businesses, homes and short term
rentals. Our neighborhood is one that is often commended on its sense of community and a overall welcoming
feeling to any who wander about in it. We opened our doors in September of 2016 and it was the support of our
neighbors and the glowing reviews of visitors who were staying nearby that have kept them open today.
Based off my initial research on this issue, it has come to my attention that the banning of current STR's will
not mitigate any foreseen problems. In fact, it is my understanding that the Zoning Commission unanimously rejected the
proposal last week and the public clearly supports STRs as shown in the city gathering last winter. The dismantling of current STRs does not
have any immediate positive outcome and there has not been a plan devised to turn them into permanent residential housing again. Further,
the ban does not even touch on the issue of preventing future STRs (which seems to be the concern?) but simply abolishes existing ones with
no further actions proposed.
As a small business owner and a member of a neighborhood that would be negatively affected by the ban, I urge you to reconsider and allow
existing STRs to stay as they are. We are a town and community that thrives off of it's tourism and this seems an over broad and overreach of
government to meddle in community affairs when involvement has not been requested or needed.
I thank you for your consideration in the matter.
All the best,
Deejay Newell
B E A N A M B A S S A D O R
P: 4 0 6 . 2 1 9 . 7 8 9 1
E: DEEJAY@TREELINECOFFEE.COM