P&Z ponders vacation rental questions

Bonner County Daily Bee

P&Z ponders vacation rental questions
Posted: Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004 - 12:49:37 am PDT
By R.J. COHN
Staff writer

SANDPOINT -- When it comes to sensitive and touchy issues, the city of Sandpoint has had its share over the years.

But on the thorny, divisive matter of regulating rental vacation homes in residential zones, about 35 residents turned out to give the Sandpoint Planning Commission and its staff an earful.

Whether those opposed to regulation see it as a threat to property rights versus a preservation of neighborhood integrity, Tuesday's workshop to gather public input was the first step to help the commission draft an ordinance.

The planning commission will hold a formal public hearing Nov. 16 and will then make a recommendation to the Sandpoint City Council on vacation rentals, most commonly referred to as single-family dwellings that are rented for short periods of time.

But after a poll on which direction to take the city on regulation of vacation rentals, commissioners seemed to leaned toward either imposing some form of regulations or excluding the rentals entirely from residential zones.

"This entire notion of how someone can tell you how to use what's behind their closed doors smacks of danger," said Dan Tonnemacher, who spoke against regulating vacation rentals. "Some of these recommendations are scary and exclude someone who can't afford a five-day limit, for example. I'm concerned how this whole process got to this point."

Others opposed to limits sought to dispel the notion that vacation rentals pose a neighborhood problem; most, they said, were rented by affluent families.

"Vacation homes aren't party homes," said Linda Mitchell of Sagle. "Those who rent them spend money in our community, and I've had more problems with long-term renters. Most of the time vacation rentals are not even occupied year-round."

Another Sagle resident wondered why the city needs any regulations at all.

"One of the best situations is to have tenants come here, spend money in a short period and leave. That's capitalism at its best."

Concerning the charge that the rental homes could cause a rift in the character of neighborhoods, Brad Golphenee, owner of Sandpoint Vacation Rentals, told the commission the issue is essentially about property rights and a commercial entity in a residential zone, which includes both long- and short-term rentals.

"If regulation is needed, we must look at all rentals, not just short-term ones," he said. "We are not in disagreement with maintaining the integrity of Sandpoint. Those renting are affluent, educated people, and the average guest brings in between $3,000 and $10,000. There's a big cash deposit required, and to this day, we've had no problems."

Several said they felt any form of regulation limits a homeowner's financial options with their property.

Residents who favor regulation, however, told the commission they feel there is definite need to preserve the "community feel" of Sandpoint and that vacation rentals should be placed in commercial zones with motels.

"I wanted a quiet, livable place to live when we came here years ago," said Geraldine Davis. "I want to keep my residential neighborhood as it is with no tourist homes. We didn't come to turn Sandpoint into a bedroom community."

Others told commissioners that in residential zones, commercial entities are not allowed.

"I feel these vacation homes are in violation of current zoning laws," said Gretchen Heller. "We have commercial areas for them and you should encourage them there."

Helen Newton stressed that she hoped the board would make the strictest recommendation it could.

"You have a one-time opportunity to protect the citizens," she told commissioners. "Do what is right for the citizens of Sandpoint, and do it now."

Previously, the Sandpoint City Council passed along five possible recommendations to the commission regarding regulation vacation home rentals. They included no rentals of less than 30 days, no rentals of less than five or seven days, requirement of a license with a local nuisance number, requirement of a conditional use permit and a 30- or 60-day limit on total rental days.