From: Amanda Hagar
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item Number 12.5
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2023 1:37:35 PM
Dear council members,
I am writing this email as a resident and homeowner in Sonoma County that favors the support and ongoing use of short term rentals in our community. I believe that the permitted, responsible owners of these properties offer a valuable contribution to the growth and well being of our community as a whole. With that said, I request that the council leave the TOT/BIA tax fines as they are (they already exist), not allow permits to be revoked forever for violations, allow more time for appeal, & allow for a tiered fine structure for violations. Why are we not taking into account the levels of severity of violations? Administrative violations should not hold the same weight as ordinance violations or non permited violations. Instead, a more reasonable solution could be a suspension for a determined amount of time depending on the type of violation.
This has been frustrating process to watch. I feel that STRs are being disproportionately targeted. The income that many owners use from their STRs is a lifeline for many. Let us please be reasonable and share ideas and create solutions, & not keep imposing more restrictions on these responsible owners. Please, do not create a culture that makes it impossible for the responsible owners to operate under.
Thank you & sincerely,
Julianne Linares
(Sonoma County resident since 2008)
From: Julianne Linares
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda item number 12.5
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2023 1:41:22 PM
Dear council members,
I am writing this email as a resident and homeowner in Sonoma County that favors the support and ongoing use of short term rentals in our community. I believe that the permitted, responsible owners of these properties offer a valuable contribution to the growth and well being of our community as a whole. With that said, I request that the council leave the TOT/BIA tax fines as they are (they already exist), not allow permits to be revoked forever for violations, allow more time for appeal, & allow for a tiered fine structure for violations. Why are we not taking into account the levels of severity of violations? Administrative violations should not hold the same weight as ordinance violations or non permited violations. Instead, a more reasonable solution could be a suspension for a determined amount of time depending on the type of violation.
This has been frustrating process to watch. I feel that STRs are being disproportionately targeted. The income that many owners use from their STRs is a lifeline for many. Let us please be reasonable and share ideas and create solutions, & not keep imposing more restrictions on these responsible owners. Please, do not create a culture that makes it impossible for the responsible owners to operate under.
Thank you & sincerely,
Julianne Linares (Sonoma County resident since 2008)
From: Maureen Linde
To: Santa Rosa Govdelivery; _PLANCOM - Planning Commission; _CityCouncilListPublic Subject: [EXTERNAL] Short term rentals effect on housing market Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 8:48:27 AM
Attachments: The effect of STR"s on housing market.pdf
Good article on the negative effects on housing stock from non-hosted short term rentals.