HomeMy WebLinkAbout032525 email - STRs another viewpointALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Good afternoon Ms. Eisenhour,
My name is Jem Van Handel. I am writing to you regarding the newly proposed STR ordinance. My husband and I own a home in Brinnon that we purchased about 1 year ago. We would like to
rent it on a short term basis when we are not spending time on the property with our 4 children. We currently live in Minnesota and travel as frequently as we can to Brinnon and plan
to retire in Brinnon in about 5 years. We have some questions and concerns about 3 points on the newly proposed STR ordinance as we are trying to understand its implications for us.
In general, we are very much in favor of having a permitting process for STRs. This includes promoting community and neighborly respect and goodwill as well as monitoring safety requirements
for short term rentals. However, the proposed ordinance has restrictions far beyond this.
1. Why is there a proposed 2 year waiting period after purchase of our property before we would be able to rent it? We have accepted the moratorium, followed regulations, and have
waited nearly a year to rent it. It does not seem right that previous owners who did not follow regulations will be allowed to pursue licensure during a grace period but we will not.
What is the purpose of this stipulation? We feel this should be removed.
2. I am also not in favor of nor do I understand the benefit of preventing rental of a main house and an adu together. Our family of 6 uses both when we stay on the property and feel
that others would enjoy and benefit from this option as it allows 6 people to stay comfortably but affords more privacy. When we leave our primary home for vacation in Minnesota,
we rent it out as an STR and have hosted groups including vacationers and work crews as well as overflow guests for family reunions, weddings, and funerals. These groups are so grateful
to have some of the comforts of home without having to travel a long distance. because as you know hotel options on the west side of the Hood Canal are limited, at least until the
Pleasant Harbor master planned community is completed.
3. I am sure you are aware of this master planned community being constructed in Brinnon. This community is less than a mile from my home. My understanding is that hundreds of residential
units are being constructed and over half of these will be permitted to rent on a short term basis. I surely hope that condos, sea view villas, and vista view homes have all been deemed
affordable housing.
I don't understand why an individual homeowner, such as myself, is not granted the same rights as a huge real estate developer. My home is zoned residential. I plan to rent it out for
residential use. Permitting the development of such a community with hundreds of short term rentals while prohibiting this right by a single homeowner is an egregious violation of property
rights.
After a year of waiting and being unable to rent our home, we will have to put it up for sale if the proposed ordinance passes as it is currently written. It will not be an affordable
home. It is unlikely to be used as a long term rental home. We purchased the home feeling confident in the ability to rent on a short term basis since regulations were already in
place. This is usually a good thing. We are responsible homeowners, short term rental operators, neighbors, and community members who want to share our love of the area with others.
We have made great friends and neighbors, supported community businesses, donated time and resources to the community. We are not profiteers. We likely wouldn't break even by renting
our home, but we had a plan for our future. We ask you to continue to carefully evaluate and consider these viewpoints when making decisions pertaining to short term rentals.
Respectfully,
Jem Van Handel