05/19/2017
Hello Bozeman Cottage fans,
As you know, I own and run Bozeman Cottage Vacation Rentals, and I have 10 guest houses that I manage within walking distance to downtown that are in R2 zoning. I am looking for a letter or statement of support to present to the city commission, as they are suddenly being recommended to ban most Short Term Rentals (STRs) from R2 zoning districts. This includes 10 of the 13 properties that I manage and people who choose to stay within walking distance of their favorite local businesses very much appreciate the R2 neighborhood lodging option. As you know, $1 spent locally is worth $7 spent at non-local businesses.
This issue is on next Monday's agenda and I would like to have your support to help the commissioners see what they would be taking away from Bozeman, not just for the revenue provided, for the sense of place garnered by being able to experience the unique aspects of Bozeman. This isn't about preserving my business, it's about preserving the alternative lodging option in Bozeman and the benefits it provides.
I have been requesting that the city regulate and limit the number of STRs, as I know that it would be a tragedy of the commons if there get to be too many. They are not proposing to limit the number of STRs but I will continue to offer simple ways for them to do that, such as a cap on total number of permits issued.
If you are willing to help, please use the link below to send a note to the commissioners, or come and speak at the commission meeting. Let me know, sorry for the late notice, this all just changed recently as to the R2 ban. Public sentiment is very much in favor of having STRs in all zoning districts. I will paste below more info on the topic if you are interested.
Sincerely,
Paul
--
Bozeman Cottage Vacation Rentals, since 1998
[email protected]
www.bozemancottage.com
www.choiceenergy.org
(406) 580-3223 (888) 415-9837
The benefits of alternative lodging within neighborhoods are numerous and to me far outweigh any impacts. I've always supported limiting the number of STRs and I'm disappointed that that is not being proposed, although I know it is difficult to write into policy. It is important to realize that banning STRs will not bring full time residents back into most currently operating STRs. Banning future STRs may have that effect as it would affect decision making, but the ones that have been operating are owned by people who use them sporadically and in most instances will not choose to rent them out on a long term basis. The proposed regulations, as of last week anyway, will result in quiet, dark, dead gaps in our neighborhoods which would not enhance our neighborhoods.
The benefits of STRs as I see them are that they:
- keep tourism dollars in the community. Hotels are out of state corporations for the most part and we know the multiplier effect of keeping money local. When people stay near downtown they spend money at local businesses, ie Wild Crumb vs Starbucks, and Open Range vs Outback Steakhouse;
- allow home owners to generate revenue from unused living space to help keep up with the rising cost of living in a destination town;
- allow your friends and relatives to stay nearby and travel by foot and bike vs contribute to sprawl and congestion;
- provide important transitional housing for sabbatical professors, nurses, ER doctors, new residents shopping for or waiting to close on a house (Dave and Serena Mercer stayed in my places at least four times on 2-4 week visits over a handful of years while they looked to relocate here, which allowed us to get to know each other and they so appreciated being able to get the feel for a neighborhood). Even the temporary city manager is staying in a short term rental as I write this;
- STRs also provide opportunities for true human connection – between homeowners (from p. 10 ‘working directly with local residents and owners strengthens understanding of respective concerns of short term rental owners and adjacent residents…’, and between visitors and residents such as between the Mercer’s and myself (their daughter ended up farm sitting for us, I gave them a plethora of local info, and they got to bring their dog Duff along). Connection is what we are lacking in the world and the answer is not more segregation or more generic hotel travelling experiences. STRs provide real, face to face interactions which are proven to create understanding and compassion. This is one of the reasons why many people living near STRs enjoy and prefer to have a few of them around (see the comments from the public meetings);
- provide unique alternative lodging for local workshop attendees, fundraising events such as the Run to the Pub and Huffing for Stuffing, festivals like the Icefest, SLAM, and Sweet Pea, board meetings and retreats for local businesses and non-profits, concertgoers, etc etc;
The staff report also concludes that STRs have no significant effect on the supply and cost of housing (p 14) and do not inhibit a sense of place or ‘prohibit change or continued evolution of the community.’ P 10.
As for the “business” aspect of STRs, the report continues with, ‘Short Term Rentals are a form of residential use therefore, they are consistent with the character of each district.’ And, ‘The draft ordinance finds that short term rentals are a residential use of property.’ P 16. If any type of property rental could be considered a business then it would be long term rentals just by comparing the total annual revenue that transpires compared to STRs.
And lastly, from p 14, ‘Overall, after considering the public comment, text of the growth policy, and the draft ordinance staff finds that the growth policy does not prohibit short term rentals in any area of the community.’ So why, after the staff heaps praise on STRs, and the public turns out to support them, are they proposing to ban them from some residential districts? The missing voice in all of this is the hotel industry, maybe that’s the voice that’s being heard even though I have never heard or seen any public comment from them. Something fishy this way smells.
I am all for the regulation of STRs and if you know me you know I have been asking to be regulated for years. I commend the task force for wading through the complexity of this issue and producing a nearly great set of specific criteria designed to bring STRs into conformity with health, safety, tax, and city planning requirements. I wish the legislature would have passed the local option tax bill that Rep. Mike Phillips carried so we could get more money from tourists to keep in Bozeman for much needed infrastructure work and property tax relief.
General Information:
http://www.bozeman.net/STR
- summary of City's info and links to maps, etc and form to fill out and submit comments.
The city's web site contact page has email and phone for each commissioner.
Location: across the street from Beall Park with mountain views from the front porch and a short jaunt to main street. Comforts: high ceilings, beautiful wood work, hardwood floors, dining room table with benches and extra chairs, leather furnishings, granite countertops, clawfoot tubs, skylight, st...
House rentals in and near Bozeman, Montana
