HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-23 Public Comment - J. Schilp - Vote no on 2149From:jschilp@mediamattersdetroit.com
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Vote no on 2149
Date:Tuesday, October 10, 2023 4:52:19 PM
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I am writing to express my concerns about the upcoming vote on STR restrictions.
We purchased in Bozeman in 2014 and at that time, we called to inquire about STR
regulations and there were none. We are in compliance and we support well thought out and
fair STR regulations.
We purchased our condo for $410k and have been offered more than double of that figure
and it was declined because we love Bozeman and plan to move there.
We fell in love with Bozeman summer of 2013 when we were on home leave from living in
Shanghai, where my husband defended American manufacturing. Our plan is to move to
Bozeman once our youngest of 5 graduates (currently a freshman in HS).
In all honestly, if the ordinance does not allow me to STR, we will leave the condo empty.
Zillow has it at $863,500 and is not affordable to most. We will not rent long-term because
then we won't have access to our home when we want to visit.
If we are no longer allowed to rent short term, I will no longer need the services of our
cleaning lady/property manager who relies on income that we pay her. She is a local
real estate agent and has only had 3 "affordable housing" transactions this year (not million
dollar transactions); we help her survive in Bozeman.
Very recently, I hosted a member of the Montana House of Representatives and he loved our
small condo on Main Street and is already talking about returning with his family. I enjoy
sharing our home with guests and they bring revenue to our community.
I hear references of "outsiders" investing in Bozeman like it is a crime. I am a member of the
Bozeman Chamber and donate regularly to organizations within the community. We have
owned our place for nine years and have many friends in Bozeman.
I am not afraid of regulation. I would ask that you allow existing Class 3s in compliance to
continue to operate and stop issuing licenses for three years, as suggested by the Community
Development Board. Enforce the regulations that you have on the books for STRs and remove
the unlicensed units from booking platforms. Take that data and learn, watch the numbers
and make smart changes.
It seems that recently there are great steps being taken to move the needle on affordable
housing and I ask that the City spend it's valuable time incubating more of those ideas and not
on an ordinance that will have no impact on affordable housing.
Thank you,
Jennifer Schilp