HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC-STR Documents Submitted at Mtg
Let it be known that without a doubt my ADU has a far greater impact when
operating as a long-term rental, just ask my neighbors.
My tenant comes and goes all day long. The unit is occupied 7 days a week, a 100%
occupancy rate. I have no control if my tenant is up playing their music at 11:30 at
night. If my tenant wants to have 4 friends in 4 separate vehicles stay overnight, they
have the freedom to do so.
Ashland Citizens, are you concerned about rowdy visitors? Well So am I, but as a
landlord there isn't a whole lot I can do.
Here is what a very typical day looks like when I was operating as a STR. A couple, in
one vehicle arrives at 4:00, leaves to explore the town, comes back to get ready for
dinner and leaves again for a play. They return quietly, park in the driveway, and
SLEEP. Then they get up, leave and are gone all day. That's it. My ADU is only
occupied roughly 60% of the time and even less in the off-season. Furthermore
Concerned citizens, as a short-term rental host, there IS something I can do if they
become unruly.
As a host, I am motivated to create a beautiful, welcoming home for our guests,
inside and out. I have added value to my property and to my neighborhood. I care
deeply for my guests experience and for the integrity of my neighborhood.
In 1994, city council voted for a change in ALL residential zones when they created a
reasonable ordinance for Home based businesses. These rules allow for 8 different
visitors or vehicles trips per day. 8! This is far less than what a typical tourist makes
in one day! Remember, these people are here to enjoy our town, not to stay and
cause trouble! Let put an end to this scary speculation.
We want to be regulated like any other home based business. We do not have the
same impact as a B&B.
We want to have healthy relationships with our neighbors.
We want to be inspected and pay taxes.
Do not let fear of the unknown make you believe that our business has any greater
impact than what is already allowed for home businesses. And if you want facts,
then let's get the facts by conducting a one year trial period, just like was done in
the 70's with the B&Bs.
To our knowledge and the city code enforcement division, there have been Zero
complaints about host occupied rentals. Zero!
Even City Staff states that "impact on neighborhood character of a visitor to an
owner occupied traveler's accommodation is no greater than that created by a visitor
to a home occupation business that is a permitted use in an R-1 zone."
Can this be easily regulated? YES! Systems and controls are already in place. With
simple refinement, compliance can be EASY and ENFORCED protecting all residence.
Let's explore this option for a shared economy and facilitate peer- to peer
networking and commerce. This will let the market evolve and offer residence to
supplement their income while offering visitors greater access to our town.
>~w ST t2-s t
July 1, 2014 Council Meeting
Short-Term Rentals in Residential Neighborhoods
Greetings Councilors -
I encourage you to support allowing Host-Occupied Short-Term Rentals in all residential
neighborhoods.
This issue is in large part about ensuring neighborhood integrity.
Let's talk about 3 components of how host-occupied short-term rentals and ensuring
neighborhood integrity are doable.
1. Consider the question: Is the proposed use consistent with what is currently allowed in RI?
• By ensuring a limitation on the number of spare bedrooms for paying guests you keep the
number of visitors to less than what is currently allowed for home occupation businesses
-this is consistent use.
• People sleeping in a spare bedroom of a host occupied home is quite consistent with the
use of what is happening elsewhere in the neighborhood during the night.
• Tonight throughout Ashland travelers are staying in neighborhoods for free utilizing
websites like couchsurfing.org that connect travelers with hosts. This non-monetary use
is not prohibited by the city despite it being the exact same use, minus the exchange of
money, as the one you are considering.
These 3 points outline that yes the proposed use is indeed consistent with what is currently
allowed in RL
2. Those opposed to host-occupied STR's say they want to know their neighbors and dislike the
idea of "strangers" in their neighborhood.
As a long-term renter I agree with them. I too want to know my neighbors. If 1 welcome
travelers and visitors into the home where I live, then I will still continue to know my
neighbors. I am still invested in maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood where I live.
And along with this since 1 know my neighbors I would trust who they decide to invite into
their home whether their guests are friends, family, or travelers. Likewise they should trust
me. One last comment about visitors to Ashland who stay in overnight accommodations: they
are just like you and me - respectful of the communities where we visit.
3. Regulations and Compliance.
Creating reasonable regulations to guide host-occupied STR's as a use that is already
consistent with current use will maintain a suitable and stable RI housing environment. Most
people are honorable and will comply with them. For those who do not then a complaint
driven process with a compliance officer is already in place to maintain neighborhood
integrity.
In closing please support the burgeoning sharing economy by allowing host-occupied short-term
rentals in all residential neighborhoods.
Lary Chase
1271 Munson Dr