HomeMy WebLinkAbout030325 email - Additional Comments regarding the Planning Commissions recommendations on STRs in Jefferson County (0002)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear Commissioners,
I wanted to add my personal point of view regarding the recommendations being presented to the BoCC by the Planning Commission (PC) on Short Term Rentals in Jefferson County today.
Though I agree there is a need to regulate and have reasonable limits on Short Term Rentals, and the clear need for STRs to be properly permitted and safe, I have concerns about the
execution of the recommendations. I do not align with the Planning Commission 100% on the recommendations being presented today.
· I’m concerned about the capacity of the DCD to actually implement and regulate the new STR requirements.
o I don’t believe DCD will be properly staffed to hold Jefferson County Residents accountable to the new STR requirements.
o I worry that the County and DCD will not effectively get the messaging out regarding the new permitting requirements and the residents won’t know about it. Without effective messaging
and oversight STR property owners won’t pay any attention to the permitting requirements, as many don’t now.
- DCD currently estimates over 400 STRs in JeffCo that are not currently permitted and that only around 29 STRs are.
- If these new regulations are not properly implemented with effective oversight, they will have little to no impact, which is the current state of affairs in my opinion.
o The voted upon recommendation of 4% of total housing units number being the limit of county STRs by the Planning Commission does consider the 400+ unpermitted STRs.
- It seems that the county does not have a 100% accurate picture of how many housing units are in the county and how to best measure that number. Meaning do you use the Tax Assessor’s
numbers, the US Census numbers, or the OFM numbers. It was determined that the OFM numbers are likely the most current by the PC. Is this accurate?
· I also worry about how the distribution of limited STRs in JeffCo will be implemented. South County specifically I think, has a larger concentration of unpermitted STRs due to
the lack of hotel accommodations in the area. Tourism and its economic impact are essential factors for South County. If there are limits creating fewer South County STRs that will
likely create fewer places for tourists to stay in South County and less tourist spending there too.
· Perhaps limiting STRs will create some new long-term rental opportunities that currently don’t exist? But I don’t believe it will help solve the county’s housing crisis, and
I don’t think that many of the STRs that could become long-term rental opportunities will fall into the category of “affordable housing.”
These are some of my primary concerns about the PC’s recommendations to the BoCC regarding STRs. I will add that it also concerns me when government limits how people can make investments
and generate revenue for themselves.
As always thank you for considering my comments in your decision making.
Regards,
Andrew Schwartz
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Brinnon Resident
Lazy C Club HOA President
Board Member: North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce
Member: 2025 Growth Management Act Steering Committee
Jefferson County District 3 Planning Commissioner
as2020@me.com
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Brinnon, WA 98320
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