Vacation rentals play important role in community

Tourists have been coming to Sandpoint for decades. Vacation rentals have always been an allowed, "legal", form of alternative lodging for visitors. These homes have achieved the highest level of standard for exterior and interior cleanliness and upkeep. Though there are only maybe a dozen vacation rental homes in the city limits, they play an important role in alternative lodging for families visiting our area.

Most of these guests have ties to Sandpoint. Examples are visiting relatives, people relocating here for work, local families put out of their own home, individuals building and not ready to move in. These homes fill a niche very much needed in this community and guests are thankful for the option to use them. Most of these homeowners also have ties to our local community. They choose to rent out their home in this manner because they live here for part of the year. While they are away, they need the home managed and rented if possible. Long term rental agreements are not an option for these owners.

Since May, the city council has been trying to outlaw this accepted form of property use. They have provided many solutions but have failed to define what problem, if any, actually exists. There are no police reports or reports of disturbances at these properties, no overcrowding or parking problems. Tourists visiting Sandpoint are largely affluent and do not create trouble for the local community. They do like to shop though.

Public comments and letters have overwhelmingly been in favor of continuing the allowed use of short-term rentals. If the city council is truly representing the citizens of Sandpoint, then they have not been listening or reading. One council member has publicly commented that vacation rentals threaten the integrity of our neighborhoods and our quality of life. In a town where a dismantled school bus is allowed to sit on a front lawn for two years, where unlimited cars, old refrigerators, and worn out furniture is freely displayed in front of residences, this comment is outlandish.

Sandpoint is an emerging resort town and tourists are coming. More visitors will come next year than this year and the trend will probably continue. Tourism dollars are an important component to our economy and will feed our growing service and retail industries. Positive planning for growth is required now … not the fear based legislation currently proposed by the city council.

As in most other states, the people of Idaho have a right to rent out their homes if they choose. There is no distinction between a short-term stay and a long-term stay. In both cases, the owner is receiving money for the use of their property…period. The proposed legislation will strip an individual of this property right and will most likely be in violation of Idaho State law.

The city council will convene today to draft the ordinance or to abandon the attempt. If you have an opinion on the subject, please let it be heard by a council member today.

BRAD GOLPHENEE

Sandpoint