HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-16, Powell_Griswold, Cleveland Public CommentMay 10, 2016 TO: Mayor Carson Taylor Deputy Mayor Cindy Andrus Commissioners Jeff Kraus, Chris Mehl & I-Ho Pomeroy Assistant Planner Allyson Brekke Planners Chris Saunders & Tom Rogers RE: Conditional Use application for Vacation Home 304 Cleveland & Revising Universal Development Code My husband and I live at 1215 S 3rd Avenue, just a few blocks south of the home currently being considered for a Conditional Use Permit as an “Extended Stay Lodging”. We have both short term and long-term concerns we wish to share with you. The 304 Cleveland home, which is in a neighborhood zoned R1, is not the primary residence of the owner. The owner, who once lived in Bozeman, currently lives in LA. The Cleveland home has been rented as a short-term vacation rental for the past couple of years. During that time, some neighbors have told us there have been noise issues after 10pm. This is an ongoing concern. Other short term concerns are parking, number of allowed customers and frequent comings and goings of multiple people not living in the neighborhood. More importantly, I think, are long term concerns about the impact short term rentals can have on Bozeman neighborhoods. The city has worked hard to promote and support its neighborhoods. It hired a full time Neighborhood Coordinator and created the Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC) to strength neighborhoods. I’m currently President of the University Neighbors Association (UNA) of which the Cleveland address is a part. Allowing more homes to be rented out to people who have no investment in the neighborhoods in which they are staying seems to go against the idea of strengthening our neighborhoods. We also have concerns about how this can affect affordable housing, a big concern in Bozeman (as per the Affordable Housing Study and the Bozeman National Citizens Survey). Every house that’s turned into a mini motel is one less opportunity for prospective renters or local homeowners. We do commend Ian Woods for going through the CUP process and fixing up the house. The vast majority of owners of short-term rentals do not have CUPs. A look at the 1st 50 listings (of 288) on VRBO shows 12 short-term rentals that appear to be in R1 & R2 zoning in Bozeman or 25%– none with CUP approval. We understand that a number of people, some in our neighborhood, supplement their income by renting out short-term a room, an ADU apartment or their home (while they are out of town). Some may rent out for less than 30 days just to meet interesting people. We have no problems with that provided it is done properly and with consideration for neighbors. It is the owner who rents out their entire non-primary residence that has us concerned. And there is currently no limit on how many short-term rentals can be clustered in a neighborhood or how many short-term rentals a single owner might rent out. If the house at 304 Cleveland is approved for a CUP, we strongly suggest that the conditions include:
A time limit, perhaps a year or two on this approval, to allow the city to further study this issue.
A permit that is only for the current owner and does not run with the property.
A maximum number of guests to be consistent with the 3 bedrooms (6 people)
A local person being available whenever the house is rented to deal with problems as they arise. On a broader scale and understanding the current heavy workload of city planners wouldn’t it make sense to simplify the short-term rental application process so all would be properly permitted?
Could the city:
Form a working group with staff & community members to explore issues and potential modifications to the requirements for different kinds of short-term rentals?
Look at what other cities in MT and around the country are doing to allow extra income for homeowners yet protect and preserve healthy neighborhoods and affordable housing?
Have fewer requirements for short-term rentals of primary homes where the owner lives on site & rents a room or the apartment in an Accessory Dwelling Unit by their house. (not a full on CUP)?
Not allow short-term rentals for 2nd homes or homes that are strictly mini-motels plopped down in our fine neighborhoods? Or require a full CUP with additional requirements? We thank you for your consideration. Kathy Powell & Steve Griswold 1215 S 3rd Ave Bozeman 406-600-1164 powellgriz@icloud.com