HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-23 Public Comment - P. House - Oct 2 public commentFrom:Bozeman Cottage
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Oct 2 public comment
Date:Monday, October 2, 2023 12:02:32 PM
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Hello,
I am submitting public comment in addition to what I will speak about this evening. I wish to comment on the
proposed planning code changes and the proposed short term rental changes. I've lived here all my life and I take
these issues seriously.
The zoning changes proposed are shocking and make no sense to me. Why would we suddenly consider all of
Bozeman' diverse neighborhoods in the same light? Allowing 8 units per lot presents a fatal blow to the character of
the R-1/2/3 districts. How anyone would even come up with the number of 8 units per lot is disturbing to me. This
needs to go back to the drawing board or be left alone; and I give a vote of no confidence to the consultant that
proposed this.
The Short Term Rental issue is a scapegoat for the affordable housing problem we have. To think that terminating
STRs will result in any sort of gain to affordable housing is laughable. Additionally, the compliant STR operators
like myself who have spent considerable time and money to maintain our compliance in the face of a dysfunctional
permit system and understaffing issues will not sit by and watch our rights be taken away.
I have always supported limits on STRs and still do, and hope that the illegal operators will be fined and barred from
illegal use of their homes. There are simply not enough legal STRs to worry about from a housing perspective, but
they do contribute substantially to the local economy and surely provide jobs to people who need to pay rent.
I would support a moratorium on new STR permits and limiting STRs in new zoning where they are allowed to 10%
of the number of units. I do not support removal of the grandfathering clause that was so recently created.
Sincerely,
Paul House
Bozeman Cottage Vacation Rentals, since 1998
info@bozemancottage.com
www.bozemancottage.com
(406) 580-3223 (888) 415-9837