Vacation Rental Ban in Hood River?!

[katosandog]

Laurent:

I have never met you, but I see a very successful individual that parlayed opportunity into an excellent life in one of the best towns I or anyone else have ever visited. I don't begrudge you that for even one second; in fact I admire it.

What if I am not established in Hood River, and wanted to follow a path like Laurent Picard has? What if a key part of that ambition was generating income from the home that I purchased, and that when I bought my home, the ability to do so from STR was encouraged by the real estate industry? How ironic it is that I now stand before you, and you dare deem my ambition a path that I cannot pursue. That's the hypocrisy of it.

You are not being attacked; you are being ridiculed, somewhat unjustly, but not completely so. Perhaps you should consider recusing yourself from the decision making process. The cynical argument is that you have no problem being the last one through the gate and slamming it in my face.

[TBird]

The City Council did NOT come "very close on Monday night to an outright ban on non-owner occupied short-term rentals," archbald. That's quite an inaccurate report of what actually happened at the meeting. The Council mostly listened to public input, and began what will be a lengthy discussion with plenty of more opportunities for parties to weigh in. So please quit fanning the flames. We have plenty of realtors and rental companies in town already doing that.

It's clear some people enjoy vacationing in short-term rentals. It's also clear to me that some folks are very vocal about this issue for one reason: they're making s#$@tloads of money at it. As a resident, I don't find that to be a very compelling argument. And I commend our City Council for exploring the issue and trying to find the best solution for the long-term health of our city.

At least have the courtesy (katosandog, etc.) to lay off the name-calling and insults. The members of our City Council are donating hundreds of hours of their personal time to help govern this city. The residents of Hood River voted them into office, not you. I, for one, respect the work they do. They're dealing with some complex issues that go beyond the fact that you like to hang out here. Discussing ideas is great (eg, beaglebuddy's thoughts about property taxes), but hurling insults really doesn't advance the discussion.

[johnl]

I always find it interesting when people who do NOT reside in a place feel the need to comment on how that place should be run.....

[hoodvista]

I find it interesting that that right when the big new Naito hotel starts getting built all of a sudden there is a push to ban their competition, I mean short term rentals. Coincidence?

[katosandog]

[CUSalin]

[johnl]

[CUSalin]

[TBird]

[CUSalin]