HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-23 Public Comment - L. & L. Hilliard - Re_ STRS and Ordance 2149, Oct 17th MeetingFrom:lnlhilliard
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Re: STRS and Ordance 2149, Oct 17th Meeting
Date:Sunday, October 15, 2023 4:35:42 PM
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I am a grandfathered in R3 and I spend 40% of the year in my R3 HOME. I could not afford tobuy my current home today.
I urge you to VOTE NO on Ordance 2149.
Why?
STRs ARE GOOD FOR BOZEMAN'S ECONOMY
Your own Aug 8th report pointed that out. They fill a critical need for lodging for tourists,
families bringing kids to sporting events or school, and visiting professionals. The EPS studythat the City conducted this summer found that STRs account for 43% of the lodging base in
Bozeman. According to the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, tourists brought around $1Billion into the Bozeman economy in 2022 – to restaurants, recreational activities, and
lodging.
STRs bring jobs for Bozeman residents, including those who work in lawncare, snow removal,cleaning, construction, painting, paving, property management, security, and trash collection,
as well as those who work in local restaurants, bars, retail stores, and recreation outfits
Ordinance 2149 will not help create affordable housing. Bozema's commissioned a study,the EPS report found that about 63% of STRs are valued above the median value of housing
units. Those homes are far from being affordable.
Ordinance 2149 is premature. It includes new charts for what types of short-term rentalswill be permitted in what zones, but the City is in the middle of rezoning. Through its
Development Code update work, the City is rezoning, and properties in one type of zone nowmay well be in a different type of zone when the Code is completed. It does not make sense to
pass Ordinance 2149 in the midst of the development code update.
Ordinance 2149 would permit hotels and bed and breakfasts in many zones – but not short-term rentals. That is punitive to STR owners and it favors hotel and other corporationsover Montanans. The Board heard on the Oct 10th meeting, many STRs are owned by localMontanans – most are not owned by large out-of-state investors or national corporations.
Again, VOTE NO on Ordiance 2149.
Thank you
Leslie and Larry Hilliard 15th Ave, Bozeman