HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-23 Public Comment - C. Roy - STR Ordinance 2149 OppositionFrom:Caroline Roy
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]STR Ordinance 2149 Opposition
Date:Monday, October 16, 2023 2:09:41 PM
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I am writing in opposition to the proposed ordinance and I'd like to take a moment to explain
why.
Affordable housing is a dire need here in our community as well as in much of the country. But
eliminating short term rentals in a community where they make up only 1.36% of total
available housing units is not the solution. Bozeman is a desirable place to live and thus,
property values have been on the rise. This was the case before short term rentals even
existed. The community has seen a vast influx in residents, both full time and part time. The
Country as a whole has been unable to keep up with the pace of demand for housing which is
entirely separate from any units being diverted for STR use. Perhaps the City should focus its
energy on making the units that are renting now, compliant, rather than outlawing them. By
implementing this Ordinance, the City would be punishing those who've chosen to play by the
rules, for those who have not. Many people purchased their homes, or improved them with
their rental options in mind. Changing the rules after residents have done exactly what the
City has asked only means that you are responding to the loudest voices, which is often times
individuals with no stake in the game to begin with.
Limiting what residents and owners can do with their homes is simply performative in nature.
Study after study, nationwide, has not concluded that the elimination of STR actually creates
more affordable housing. Many of the licensed locations in this City also rent their homes in
fact TO KEEP THEM AFFORDABLE and by removing this opportunity to rent a room or an ADU
will make them LESS affordable and perhaps prompt them to sell their homes. There is
NOTHING that will require them to sell their homes at a discount to someone that will occupy
the home year round. They can sell their home to whomever they want to, which may be
someone who bids up the price, only to let it sit empty for much of the year. They are under
no obligation to rent their home to anyone.
Removing the option to run a STR in a business district, but allowing a hotel to exist in that
space seems completely contradictory. That means that only a large developer or
conglomerate can make money in bozeman and small mom and pop investors are disallowed
from using their homes and property for what they would like. Perhaps they should all open
Marajuana shops instead? So the City would be endorsing drug shops over housing units?! Not
a great use of its regulatory authority in my view.
leave the STR ordinances alone and just work on enforcement of the rules you already have in
place. There are a considerable number of multifamily units coming online in this town in the
next few months that may address a bit of our shortage. There are a lot of avenues that the
City could explore before making changes to quell those who think this makes any difference
by eliminating the 1.36% of our community that rents their homes. HOw about requiring all
Condo developers to make their units FHA and VA approved as a condition of their building
permits? that would open up more favorable financing options. Or reducing minimum lot sizes
county wide? remove and reduce some of the street improvement requirements to
accommodate garbage trucks, like they did in Bridger View? If the city is focused on housing
for PEOPLE, then focus on development to accommodate people and not large scale investors,
conglomerates and garbage truck access.
Sincerely,
Caroline Roy