Council needs to make informed vote on rentals

The Sandpoint City Council is about to be handed back a hot potato.

The Sandpoint Planning Commission on Tuesday night recommended the city ban vacation rental homes, or tourist homes, in Residence "A" zone. The council rightly handed this off to P-Z when it became obvious there needed to be more research and input before a decision could be made.

Residence "A" zone is comprised of the most expensive houses in the most expensive neighborhoods in Sandpoint. As an example, every city council member and planning and zoning board member owns a home in a Residence "A" Zone.

The ordinance would allow tourist homes in Residence "B" and "C" zones but only with a conditional use permit. That process would allow neighbors to have input about any proposed tourist home in their neighborhood.

Those currently operating tourist homes would have a five-year sunset clause to either quit renting or apply for a conditional use permit, depending on where the home is located.

This is one of those decisions that could set the stage for Sandpoint's future, On the one hand, should people have the right to do what they want with their property? Is it the city's solons' responsibility to map out how they believe private property should be used? Council members have a lot to digest. Some lingering questions haven't been answered.

? Would this ban address a real problem or just a perceived problem?

? How many tourist homes are there in Sandpoint? How many in Residence

"A" Zone?

? How would this be enforced?

The face of Sandpoint is changing and it appears the city leaders are being proactive.

Please contact Sandpoint City Council members about your thoughts on this proposal. This kind of decision needs an informed body. The matter will come in front of the council this month or in January.

David Keyes is publisher of the Bee.