HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-17 Public Comment - B. Segal - Short Term Rentals1
Clerk Temp
From:Brian Segal <occupationalyoga@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 28, 2017 12:12 PM
To:Agenda
Subject:STR Regulations
Attachments:Air bandb To City 5-28-17.pdf
Short Term Rental Regs
Dear Mayor Taylor and City Commissioners, I live very close to Main Street and very close to the Black Olive project, and would like to weigh in on the current situation for regulations of the Airbnb short-term rentals in downtown Bozeman.
The basic idea of adding density within what we already have, is to bring it back to what it was when there were full
families living in these houses around my neighborhood. The downtown neighborhood association says the average
number of residents per houses in this area is 1-2. So, by bringing in Airbnb to help fill these vacant bedrooms left by
children to empty nester parents, we are simply bringing the neighborhood back to where it was when it was vibrant.
There is no need for density restrictions. This will just pit neighbor against neighbor: first come first serve, you snooze
you loose (similar to the alcohol license problem). Please, no density cap. It is not needed.
Similarly, those now out of the house children, also had cars and parked them on the streets and in the alleys. They
are now gone and so are their cars, so by bringing in a few extra guest it should just bring it back to where it was
when the children were there. Also, if the Airbnb is a non-owner occupied, then the host will take their car with them,
and the tenants will replace it with their car. There will be no increase in parking in the situations. (The Black Olive
project however will bring in much more extra parking then was ever intended for this neighborhood.)
The fees are also too high. There is no need for the city to get involved in inspections. The Airbnb site requires that
the state health department certify these units one by one. Why duplicate inspections at the cost to the city and the
taxpayers? The B&B site is actually a better way to regulate the condition of the rental units due to the immediate response and rating of the guests and the hosts posted live on the Internet. As with Uber, the fact that hosts and
guests have to create an online profile, and all rentals are prepaid, the rating system within the program itself works
quite well to regulate the industry. This is an opportunity for the City to step back, collect badly needed revenue that
does not come from property taxes, and let the market work. By inviting these guest into our downtown area, we will
boost sales in restaurants bars, and gift shops.
If we see trouble coming up in any of these issues down the road, we can always add more regulations. The yearly fee
for licensing and Airbnb should be $100 in the R-2, R-3, and R-4 districts. Sounds like R-1 home owners are the ones
that want more regulations, so let them have them.
This is a win win for the City and Downtown Residents. I intend to use my house as part of my retirement income
after my kids leave in 4 years. Please do not take this opportunity away from me and my wife, or diminish it’s worth
by approving density caps, over regulation, and unacceptable licensing fees.
Thanks for hearing my input, Sincerely,
Brian Segal
May 27, 2017
Brian Segal
315 S Black Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715
birdman@birdmanunlimited.com
406-580-5760