HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizen Comments LU 18-0034 Original Message
From:Barbara Heisler[n to:bheisler@gettysburg.edu]
Sent:Tuesday,February 12,2019 2:20 PM
To:Siegel,Scot<ssiegel@ci.oswego.or.us>
Subject:Short-Term Rental
Dear Mr.Siegel,
I attended last night's Planning Commission Meeting on short-term rentals in Lake Oswego and I would like to briefly comment on the proposal you submitted for
discussion. I have been a resident of Lake Oswego since 2006. I am a sociologist who is currently writing a book on the effects of Airbnb on housing and local communities
in the United States,Europe and Australia.The book is under contract from a major academic publisher. In this context I have surveyed a large literature on the subject,
mostly on the effects of Airbnb in large cities that are also major tourist destinations.
Clearly,Lake Oswego is not in the same category as Boston,New York,etc. and I do not doubt the glowing testimonials about the quality of their guests(professors and
grandmothers)from citizens who have hosted on Airbnb in Lake Oswego. Unlike New York,San Francisco and other tourist cities,Lake Oswego will not likely be the
destination of adventurers and thrill seekers from around the world. However,based on my research,I would recommend that the city exercise caution in moving forward.
Even the"Social Model"currently under consideration is full of potential pitfalls.The most serious is the fact that Airbnb has not cooperated with local authorities in making
their data available. While the licensing short-term rentals should be part of any regulation,it will not prevent people from hosting without a license. Licensing
requirements are difficult to enforce as long as Airbnb refuses to make host specific data(name,address,telephone number)available to local authorities. Relying on
neighbor complaints is not sufficient as many people are reluctant to report offenders. As you know,Airbnb is currently suing the city of Boston for legislation passed last
year that would require Airbnb provide such information to the city and has done similar things in New York City and elsewhere.
While this may not pertain directly to Lake Oswego,below is a link to an excellent recent study about the pros and cons of Airbnb by the Economic Policy Institute.
bttns://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=httns%3a%2f%2fwww.eni.org°/2ffiles%2fndW2f157766.udf&c=E.1.VGuwaNgSu pVAGjUrFPhDCKMa1egKboY9pn_h1fZ2jDUXrtLTX9tuJUr5jODpRoZ9Ao2H9xbu-
dTxyj fn4yKM5NrycNgztk34uH W A-QRXs_gYTN4iQ2w&typo=1
With best regards,
Barbara Heisler
Barbara Schmitter Heisler,Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
From: Siegel,Scot
To: McCaleb.Iris
Subject: FW:feedback and input for P Commission reporting to P.Council
Date: Friday,February 15,2019 1:00:58 PM
For PC
From: chapelra@aol.com [mailto:chapelra@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2019 8:52 AM
To: Siegel, Scot<ssiegel@ci.oswego.or.us>
Subject: Fwd: feedback and input for P Commission reporting to P.Council
Original Message
From: chapelra <chapelra@aol.com>
To: SSiegel <SSiegel ar7C.l.oswego.or.us>
Sent: Thu, Feb 14, 2019 1:32 pm
Subject: feedback and input for P Commission reporting to P.Council
Mr. Siegel,
In talking to my neighbors in Westlake I find some to dim awareness of the sub rosa nature of PC
decision involving rewrite of STR code, relaxing ADU code, and possible advent of R1 zone regs.
These three proposals is a lethal combination that spells trouble of home ownership in LO. While the
Oregonian has had a couple articles about prospects of trouble coming from these irksome ideas, the LO
Review has been virtually silent on the matter except for one to two"letters to editor."
I'm going to forward copies two e-mails I recently sent to Carole Ockert, a NA chair, outline my thoughts
regarding the unbelievable decision making process the CC has undertaken at this point in time.
I went to the PC meeting last Monday. I heard the compliance officer say there have been only 10
complaints about STRs in the past two years. The city is not record to say are only 27 STRs in LO
at time the Survey Monkey Questionnaire/Survey was done (It's more like 200 according to realtors I've
talked to. The complaints are significant if indeed there are only 27 STRs.
In January and Feb meetings of the PC, I saw about six"illegal" STRs owners give testimony in support
of loosening the STR codes. They are conflating the warm feeling from their trips abroad and domestic
customers how everything will OK in LO. Ask the people who live in the Diamond Head neighborhood
about the unhosted out-of-control-party house owned by a foreign investor.
Thanks for taking the time to read this; the forwarded e-mails will be sent a little later this pm.
Rodger Chapel
Page 1 of 4
From: Siegel,Scot
To: McCaleb.Iris
Subject: FW: LONAC meeting
Date: Friday,February 15,2019 1:00:33 PM
For PC.
From: chapelra@aol.com [mailto:chapelra@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2019 8:54 AM
To: Siegel, Scot<ssiegel@ci.oswego.or.us>
Subject: Fwd: LONAC meeting
Original Message
From: chapelra <chapelra@aol.com>
To: SSiegel <SSiegel@C.I.oswego.or.us>
Sent: Thu, Feb 14, 2019 1:36 pm
Subject: Fwd: LONAC meeting
Original Message
From: chapelra <chapelra@aol.com>
To: fanfh.com-carole <fanfh.com-carole@europa.com>
Sent: Fri, Feb 8, 2019 12:00 pm
Subject: LONAC meeting
Carole,
To introduce myself I phoned you about two weeks ago re the STR issue. And I sat to the right of Ken
Slickers at the LONAC meeting last Saturday.
I was heartened to hear you speak of your cautious opposition to the STR stance that the city seems to
be taking at this time. I FULLY SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS! I intend to be at the Planning Commission
meeting on Monday, the 11th. By the count of raised hands of attendees last Saturday, in support of your
arguments, your have wide support form the NA chairs.
The relaxing of ADU and STR codes and the possible advent of the abolishing current R 1 zoning
provisions is a recipe for disaster for single family homeowners.
I may be sending you today a list of ideas, strategies to hopefully bolster your very informed approach to
letting the commission and the council how they still uninformed they are relating the aforementioned
concerns as well as the proposed sewage processing facility and the north-end boutique hotel
development plan.
Rodger Chapel 503 968 6722
Page 2 of 4
From: Siegel,Scot
To: McCaleb.Iris
Subject: FW: more thoughts
Date: Friday,February 15,2019 1:00:45 PM
For PC.
From: chapelra@aol.com [mailto:chapelra@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2019 8:51 AM
To: Siegel, Scot<ssiegel@ci.oswego.or.us>
Subject: Fwd: more thoughts
Original Message
From: chapelra <chapelra@aol.com>
To: SSiegel <SSiegel a@C.I.oswego.or.us>
Sent: Thu, Feb 14, 2019 1:36 pm
Subject: Fwd: more thoughts
Original Message
From: chapelra <chapelra@aol.com>
To: fanfh-carole <fanfh-carole@europa.com>
Sent: Sun, Feb 10, 2019 2:03 pm
Subject: more thoughts
Carole,
This follows up my email to you a few days ago.
I ask what's the hurry to implement city approval of STRs, relaxed ADU codes, and possible acceptance
of R1 code revisions. I'm guessing the push comes from an unfortunate casual
misunderstanding from a flawed Survey Monkey questionnaire and the Council's questionable decision
making process (as demonstrated by the Sewer Project example). Does anyone at City Hall really know
the added expense and administrative problems involved with the advent of STRs? No one, I think! All
this happening against a backdrop of a growing, but shaky, gig economy; calls for more tax revenue, and
UGB issues requiring more density and affordability. And, the inception of LO STRs will likely hurt
affordability and availability of rentals for the traditional renter.
Here are some ideas if STRs move forward to become and accomplished fact:
Require a permit or license with appropriate fess and the removal of such certification if STR owner,
operator, or occupant violates yet-to-be written code.
Impose a two year"sunset rule"to vacate new STR codes should homeowners mount substantial
complaint.
Require a certain % limit of how many STRs are allowed as proportion of LO inventory of single family
homes. 10%?
Make ADU and STR accommodations subject to new or existing fire and safety codes.
Page 3 of 4
No absentee ownership to be allowed. Require host to reside at site, either owner or operator.
Create STR"hotline phone number to receive complaints; no such set up is evident in compliance
officer's desk at City Attorney Office.
Require proof of insurance of worker's comp liability that is certain to exist in some
cases, not to mention the non-reporting-to-IRS employees (nanny tax avoidance).
Ask LO realtors to notify new homebuyers of new STR code, in hopes that it will limit
any due diligence liability for not informing prospective buyers.
Have all the votes of commission and council members be subject to a "declare or recuse" as relating to
their ownership of STRs in LO and residences owned in HOAs.
Close the big BUSINESS LICENSE loop hole (now required for anyone else)that now exists for those
who own one or two investment properties. How else can we begin to get a handle on what going on with
the number of STRs in LO?
STRs that exist in the city.
Publicize, through LO Review articles and letters to the editor, the entire issue surrounding
UGB, increased housing density and it's attendant problems, housing shortage for moderate income
folks, and so on.
I hope this helps,
Rodger
Page 4 of 4
From: Siegel,Scot
To: "Jason Murray"
Cc: McCaleb,Iris
Subject: RE:STR Support
Date: Friday,February 22,2019 5:22:06 PM
Jason,
Thank you for your comment, which we will distribute to the Planning Commission for their work
session on Feb 25. I encourage you to continue following the proposal as it is refined and presented
for public review prior to the Planning Commission public hearing in April.
You can follow the process and sign up for the email subscription list here:
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/planning/short-term-rentals
Thank you,
Scot
Scot Siegel
Planning&Building Services Director
City of Lake Oswego
PO Box 369
Lake Oswego,OR 97034
tel:503.699.7474
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From:Jason Murray [mailto:jason@photomurray.com]
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2019 4:58 PM
To: Siegel, Scot<ssiegel@ci.oswego.or.us>
Subject: STR Support
Scot,
Good afternoon.
Please share the following thoughts with the LO Planning Commission and the City Council.
If this should email be directed to another email address, please advise.
I'm writing to express my full support for STR's in Lake Oswego.
As a resident who has been on both sides of the short-term rental business as both a client
and host, I can vouch it creates value for the community, home-owners and visitors to Lake
Oswego.
As a host, we've welcomed guests from all over the world into our home. This personal
experience has made their visit to Lake Oswego and the surrounding area much more
meaningful, comfortable, convenient and personal. They've returned to their homes with a
new perspective on Lake Oswego and all that we have to offer. Having multiple
accommodation options is a great value to people visiting our town and the residents who live
here. I know my extended family would prefer to stay in a house when visiting us, not in a
hotel over by Interstate 5.
As a family who loves to adventure, explore and travel, we've benefitted from the use of
others' homes. I'm much more comfortable in a clean private house than a sterile hotel that
lacks the amenities of home. Travel is a great educator, one that we've used extensively to
enlighten our children. Some of their best experience on the road have occurred in other
peoples' homes and towns.
I believe STR's will work with primary residences.
I do not support the requirement an owner be on-site. I do not believe there's greater
assurance of quality control for neighbors where residents are on-site or in an adjacent
dwelling on the same lot.
I'm super selective about who stays in my house, sleeps in my bed and is a guest in my home.
My home is my biggest asset and I'm extremely protective about who stays here. Social
Model economies police themselves. If a guest is acting up, it's known. If a host isn't living up
to expectations, it is widely publicized. That's enough oversight for me and assurance that
there won't be any problems for myself, my neighbors or my community.
I'd also welcome reasonable regulation, taxation or other hospitality rules that would make
short-term rentals work for the entire community.
Thank you for your consideration and for sharing my views with your colleagues.
Jason Murray