HomeMy WebLinkAboutInput for Public Hearing on Short Term Rental Moratorium
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This is my input to be included in the record for the June 6th Public Hearing on a proposed Short Term Rental Moratorium in Port Angeles.
Port Angeles City Council,
From the City of Port Angeles 2021-2022 Work Plan, the #1 “Issue of Critical Importance” is Housing/Homelessness. The #1 Focus Area is “ % increase in overall housing units”. ( https://www.cityofpa.
us/DocumentCenter/View/10079/2021-WORK-PLAN <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cityofpa.us%2FDocumentCenter%2FView%2F10079%2F2021-WORK-PLAN&data=05%7C01%7CKmbailey
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On AirBNB Monday (6/5/2023) a search of flexible dates for a weekend in the incorporated Port Angeles area, brings up 256 listings for “entire units”. Most of these units are in the
unpermitted Low Density Residential zones. This is 256 potential units in Port Angeles for families, workers, business owners, retirees; all residents who would contribute to the Port
Angeles economy year around and far beyond lodging tax. In the Clallam County area described as “Port Angeles” there are over 1000 “entire units” available. Within 4 blocks of my home,
I know of 4 units which were allowed under the new infill zoning regulations which are being used solely as short term rentals. The population of Port Angeles increased less than 5%
between the 2010 and 2020 census. Why should there be a housing crisis among workers now when there hasn’t been historically, other than the housing converted from long term residents
to tourists? This housing scarcity then also drives prices for long term rentals and home purchases out of the reach of the household income generated by local salaries. There are
multiple billboards around town advertising for workers, even the municipalities have job openings; it is a housing crisis which is causing an employment crisis, and may also move to
a school enrollment crisis if families cannot live in Port Angeles.
By allowing the current short-term rentals to operate, Port Angeles is actively transferring money from local workers to property owners, and especially to those in the community, and
many from outside the community, who can afford to own multiple properties. There are numerous state and federal policies that favor income inequality and the transfer of wealth to
property owners (eg. the mortgage interest tax deduction and the capital gains tax exemption on primary residence). It is a complex and slow process to try to reverse income inequality
at the state and local level. But we can keep Port Angeles from becoming “Exhibit A” in the transfer of wealth from the “have nots” to the “haves” by:
1. Enforcing the existing zoning regulations on illegal short-term rentals as a city-initiated process rather than on an individual citizen complaint basis.
2. Put a moratorium on any new legal short-term rentals, until we see the effects of the current enforcement.
I ask the city council to take both actions immediately.
Sincerely,
Laurel Cripe
City of Port Angeles resident