HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-23 Public Comment - S. Collins - Ordinance 2149From:Steve Collins
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL][SUSPECTED SPAM] Ordinance 2149
Date:Tuesday, October 10, 2023 9:02:57 AM
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Dear Commision members,
I bought my home in Bozeman so I could visit my 2 sons and
grandchildren. Prior to that, and while searching for a home, I
stayed in STR's. Renting my home while vacant only seemed
logical. I made certain I had the proper zoning, obtained all the
licenses prior to new rules in late 2017 and to pay taxes as required.
I don't own any other STR's. I use my home regularly throughout
the year as do other family members and friends. I'm just a family
guy, not a big corporation. Trust me, I make very little money from
the income. Vacation rentals have a ton of overhead and that money
spent stays in your local economy.
What I have found in the years since the purchase is that I provide
families the opportunity to be in Bozeman without trying to cram
into a hotel room with Grandma and the kids. To attend graduation,
weddings, go skiing, visit Yellowstone or a myriad of other reasons
to visit Bozeman. To cook Thanksgiving dinner together. To be a
family unit and spend money in your local economy.
Why you would want to take that away, to deprive a family of a
simple act of renting my home short term, seems very illogical,
short sighted and mean spirited. I feel caught up in a battle that has
little if anything to do with me. I will never rent my home in
Bozeman long term. That is not why I bought it. And if I did, it
would not be affordable.
I know the city is struggling to find affordable housing but to ban
legal, conforming type 3 STR's is not the answer. Listen to the
experts you hired with taxpayer money. Enforce the rules you
created and get rid of the unlicensed ones. Don't shut the door on
families coming to visit your fine City. That will solve nothing.