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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-26 Public Comment - J. Wesley-Wiese - Re_ Type 2 STRs in R-A Zoning From: Jeanne&Paul Wesley-Wiese To: Bozeman STR Cc: Bozeman Public Comment Subject: [EXTERNAL]Re:Type 2 STRs in R-A Zoning Date: Thursday,April 16,2026 2:11:42 PM 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. Greetings, I went back and checked several times and I did not receive an April 3 email from you regarding the above zoning changes. Just wondering what the tag on your end would be, but I received NOTHING from the City regarding the above. Would still like to see that email so please 'resend' it. If I am not at the least'grandfathered in'the impact on me will be huge. Is the Commission still receiving comments in the form of letters on this? I definitely would like to say a few things regarding this new private property rights RESTRICTION to the Commission. This City is making it impossible for people like me that have CONTRIBUTED hugely to this community for 50 years to remain. I hope the new people that rode into town from Washington, guilted people into giving them free rent, didn't even have Montana license plates at the time, but via Renters United, convinced the commission to punish long term Bozeman homeowners, come CLOSE to what I have freely given to this town of my time and resources. I'm happy to provide a list if there is any doubt. I certainly realize that something had to be done by the City to reign in what was happening in the real estate world. My own children born in Montana are struggling to remain here because housing is not affordable. I have supported all of Bozeman's 'affordable'housing efforts to provide for a workforce and families. However, depriving one of their income to accommodate new people is profoundly unjust. Ironically your STR restriction will make me have to sell my property and I can't imagine that based on the amount I have to pay in taxes in the new Bozeman, that the rent on it would in any way be affordable or that it would ever be able to be a rental at the state"s appraised value. I know that most of what I stated above should be directly sent to the Commissioners and is not in the STR personnel's control, Just wasn't exactly sure where str cniebozemanmt.gov landed. I will be forwarding this email to the Commissioners hoping they GRANDFATHER myself and other struggling fixed low income seniors and property owners who have been caught up in this net of frustration and stress. Sincerely, Jeanne Wesley Wiese On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 12:13 PM Bozeman STR<str&bozemanmt.gov>wrote: Good afternoon, You are receiving this email because you are the permit holder(often referred to as the "host") for a current short-term rental (STR)permit in the City of Bozeman and your rental had been identified as a Type 2 STR operating in the RA zoning district. Earlier this month,we sent an informational email regarding recent code changes to hosts of Type 2 STRs whose renewal applications were under review by City staff. We're reaching out again today to share an update and broaden our communication to include all hosts of Type 2 STRs operating in the RA zoning district. To recap: In our April 3 email,we explained that the City of Bozeman updated its entire Unified Development Code (UDC) in December 2025. Part of that code update was a combination of residential zoning districts. One notable change is the RS, R1, and R2 districts became the new RA district. In combining these districts,the use allowances for R1 were utilized for most land uses in the new RA district. The change resulted in only Type 1 STRs being allowed in the new RA district and would have made existing Type 2 STRs in the district ineligible for renewal after the UDC took effect on February 1,2026. Update: At their meeting on April 14, City Commission discussed several comments expressing opposition to this change affecting existing Type 2 STRs. While it was our intent to allow existing rentals to continue until permit expiration,we understand there is concern about potentially disallowing renewals of existing permits. Staff and Commission heard you. Staff are preparing several options for Commission to consider. In the meantime, we are pausing any action on permits for existing Type 2 STRs in the new RA district. What does this mean for you? • You may continue operating your permitted Type 2 rental until further notice. • If you have already submitted a renewal application,it will remain"in review"until a decision is made by Commission and you may continue to operate in the meantime. • If your permit expires before a decision is made, and you intend to continue operating a Type 2 STR, it's important that you submit a renewal application like normal. If Commission decides to "grandfather"existing permits, only active permits (or those actively keeping up with their renewal applications)will qualify. We will refund the associated fees if Commission's final decision does not allow the renewal. • We will share any updates as the conversation moves forward with City Commission. We understand this situation may be causing frustration and uncertainty for you and your guests, and hope this information is helpful while staff and Commission work on a possible solution. If you have any questions in the meantime,please contact us at STR(c�r�,bozemanmt.gov or call 406-582-2260. City of Bozeman emails are subject to the Right to Know provisions of Montana's Constitution (Art. II, Sect. 9)and may be considered a "public record" pursuant to Title 2, Chpt. 6, Montana Code Annotated. As such,this email, its sender and receiver, and the contents may be available for public disclosure and will be retained pursuant to the City's record retention policies. Emails that contain confidential information such as information related to individual privacy may be protected from disclosure under law.