HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-23 Public Comment - S. Witmer - NO on Ordinance 2149From:Sten Witmer
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]NO on Ordinance 2149
Date:Tuesday, October 17, 2023 10:45:58 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Commissioners,
The numbers do not support action, nor will the action proposed in Ordinance 2149 have the
intended consequences.
It seems the intent of this ordinance is to address the affordable housing issue, or crisis. That issue is
real. A 2 bed, 2 bath bungalow easily sells for $700k within City limits. That equates to nearly $5k in
mortgage alone, before taxes and maintenance costs are considered. If that home is purchased as
an investment to become a long-term rental, the rental rate is surely not affordable. Picking on a
relatively small number of STRs is not the solution to this grand problem.
There are currently just over 300 STRs in the city, out of a total of over 22,000 housing units. This
ordinance is focused on less than 2% of housing units. If all STRs were eliminated tomorrow, would
the needle move in any perceptible way? It’s hypothetical, but there is good evidence that many of
those STRs would not be converted to long-term rentals, for a variety of reasons. In any case, those
units would certainly not become affordable housing.
STRs are primarily a mom & pop, DIY, Cottage industry. Even in the occasional cases of “owner”
being an out-of-state investor, there is a local economy that has been built around this small
industry. Home owners, property managers, maintenance and cleaning contractors all rely on this
sector for their livelihood. STRs also offer an alternative and attractive product for tourists and
business visits, supporting yet another sector of local economy. Eliminating STRs will only hurt our
neighbors, while hurting tourism and increasing demand for hotel stock to be added to the City.
Changing rules that have been used as a basis for development and investment will be unduly
disruptive for no realized benefit. Ordinance 2131 was passed just months ago. The City should
enforce and evaluate the current regulations before adding more confusion and complication to
those aiming for compliance. Ordinance 2149 will disrupt and negatively impact livelihoods,
businesses, and investments with few positive outcomes.
Please vote No on Ordinance 2149.
Thank you,
Sten Witmer
Spruce Property Care(406) 629-1372
sten@sprucepc.com