HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-23 Public Comment - J. Polasik - No on ordinance 2149From:Joe Polasik
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]No on ordinance 2149
Date:Tuesday, October 17, 2023 11:26:38 AM
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I've written on this topic several times now.
Eliminating the STRs or not providing grandfathering for us would mean selling the house as
we would no longer be able to afford the payments and eliminate a long term rental unit thatthis STR is currently subsidizing. This would also cause us problems housing out of state
employees that frequent Bozeman to support my local Bozeman business.
Here are some further points that I have pointed out in the past:
The City just passed Ordinance 2131 this summer, If the City were to enforce that, the Citywould shut down hundreds of STRs that are operating without a City license. Until that
Ordinance is implemented further action is not needed.
Ordinance 2149 would permit hotels and bed and breakfasts in many zones – but not short-term rentals. And it would shut down all Type 3 STRs, even in commercial zones. From a
policy perspective, that is unfair and illogical, and it favors hotel and other corporationsover Montanans who are just trying to make ends meet. As the Board heard last
Monday, many STRs are owned by local Montanans – most are not owned by large out-of-state investors or national corporations.
STRs have been around for decades in Bozeman, and they are part of Bozeman’shistoric character. If the City shuts down STRs, the result will be more hotels and
commercial housing units.
STRs bring tax revenue that can be used to create affordable housing. Just like hotels, there isan 8% total lodging tax on a stay in an STR. Local entities get funds from that tax pool, which
can be used for promoting tourism or partnerships to create affordable housing options, amongother things.
Ordinance 2149 would create an unreasonable burden on property owners in exchange fora very minimal public policy impact. The City shared that there are 306 registered short-term rentals, and there are 22,500 total housing units (homes, apartments, etc.) in the City.
That means that STRs are 1.36% of Bozeman’s housing stock. Type 3 STRs, which theOrdinance would ban outright, are just .31% of Bozeman’s housing stock.
They fill a critical need for lodging for tourists, families bringing kids to sporting events or
school, and visiting professionals. The EPS study that the City conducted this summer foundthat STRs account for 43% of the lodging base in Bozeman. Many of those are operating
without a City license, so if the City cracks down on those (by implementing Ordinance 2131that it passed this summer), and then cracks down on the legally operating STRs at the same
time, there will be a large shortfall of available rooms. According to the Bozeman Chamber ofCommerce, tourists brought around $1 Billion 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,
not to mention those who work in local restaurants, bars, retail stores, and recreation outfits.
Joe