HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-23 Public Comment - C. Stutsman - August 8 Work Session - STR'sFrom:Cynthia Stutsman
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]August 8 Work Session - STR"s
Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 9:06:57 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
My family and I (3 families total) invested in a property in Bozeman in 2015 - well before
there were any city regulations regarding operating STR's in Bozeman. In 2017 whenthe regulations came into existence, we immediately complied with the regulations and have
remained in compliance to this day.
The property we purchased had 2 homes on 1 lot. A newer 2 bedroom which we furnishedand began operating as a STR and a second older home that was very run down. We operated
the VRBO for 4 years - working hard - not taking money and invested our receipts into totallyremodeling the old house. The total remodel was $200k which in addition to our VRBO
receipts, all three families contributed more financially. It became a great long term rental in2019.
We competed for years against the majority of STR's operating in Bozeman which were not in
compliance with city regulations. Until this August 2023 ordinance that was just passed, therewas no attempt at enforcement by the city. Thankfully, now everyone who wants to run a
STR will need to follow the rules and be in compliance.
Our property cannot be used as affordable housing. First, we have invested far too much inmaking this property pristine (our neighbors love us by the way) and our family does not
believe that it would be appropriate to accept a subsidy from taxpayers should the city attemptto incentivize owners to make the housing affordable. We simply do not believe taxpayers
should subsidize our business.
Please stop talking about banning Type 3. We provide a great service to Bozeman in allowingfamilies who would otherwise not be able to afford hotel expense to come to Bozeman; our
neighbors have rented the property to use for family reunions hosted in Bozeman; we haveprovided housing for people in Bozeman when families are temporarily displaced; we take
pride in providing our guests with a great experience so they want to return to Bozeman andwe have had many, many repeat clients.
Most of all - none of the three families involved have government or union pensions. The
purpose of going together to own and operate this business was to provide supplementalincome in retirement for each of us. We were raised in Montana - we are not greedy investors
or multimillionaires taking all the affordable housing in Bozeman.
Banning Type 3 will not help the affordable housing problem in Bozeman. If the city will justenforce the regulations, the number of operating STR's will drop and the ones in compliance
will continue to offer a great service drawing tourist dollars into Bozeman to help manyBozeman workers and families. Thank you. Cynthia Stutsman
Cynthia Stutsman406-551-0022