Letters from Local Residents Seeking Change to Bend’s current Vacation Rental Permitting

On Sat, Aug 2, 2014 at 6:09 PM, Lizzie Hedrick wrote:

Mr. Knight – thanks so much for your editorial in today’s Bend Bulletin regarding vacation rentals. I appreciate that the city is taking the concerns of the neighbors seriously.

I’d like to add my voice to the recent letters that have been written to city leaders on this topic. I live on NW Davenport Ave. between 14th and 15th streets. On our short block, there are 14 homes; of those homes, three are vacation rentals, 20% of the street!

The core problem with increased numbers of vacation rentals is the very real dissolution of the neighborhood. The minute an owner or long-term renter turns over a home to transient renters, that is no longer a contributing part of the neighborhood. No longer can the permanent residents count on that house as part of the neighborhood. And the home’s owner transforms from a neighbor into a business owner.

The residual issues, as I’m sure you’ve heard from others, can be a particular nuisance. At least once a month, we have to ask renters to quiet down after 10. Often the noise starts much later than 10, interrupting our sleep when we have to be at work early the next day. In addition to the noise, there is always a parking issue as many of the vacation rentals house more than one family or couple. We’re a pretty tight neighborhood, and we watch each other’s , but it’s difficult to do with such transient neighbors.

I strongly feel there needs to be a cap on the number of vacation rentals in our neighborhoods in order to preserve the quality of life we all moved to Bend to enjoy. Without legislation from the city, the numbers will continue to increase as there is a very real financial incentive to turn homes into VRBO’s.

Thanks again for reviewing these issues and taking our concerns seriously. I don’t think tighter legislation on VRBO’s can come quickly enough.

Liz Hedrick

On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:30 PM, Iain Morris wrote:

Though his article in the Bend Bulletin ran several days ago, I would like to commend Doug Knight for bringing the issue of vacation rentals to the table. I live on a block with 4 adjacent vacation rentals. Three of these are part of a large fenced-off “compound” complete with advertising signage, run by someone who doesn’t live in the area. Weeks go by in the shoulder seasons where we feel like we live in a ghost town. The street is dark when we come home. Winter and summer, our street is crushed with parking problems, noise, traffic, and everything else that comes with guests looking to have a good time. Who can blame them? They paid for a vacation hotel stay, and expect to get it. Only a few neighbors remain who we can say hi to on a daily basis.

The vacation rental issue is an insidious problem, as it quietly robs a community of its collective voice to speak out about local issues that affect us. Vacation renters don’t care how good the local schools are, how much work the roads need, speeding issues through neighborhoods, local land development, pollution, or a host of other issues that homeowners and long-term renters are concerned about. But perhaps the most troubling issue is the loss of our self identity that comes with these changes. Vacation rentals in high concentration cause a deconstruction of a neighborhood’s character that can be difficult to see. The rentals are often “spruced up” with new paint and lawns, a facade that suggests a resident is happily living there. Nothing could be further from the truth. What is the point of block parties, neighborhood get-togethers, or playing in the streets, when there are no other families, kids, or anyone else actually living in the neighborhood? Who are we when we are surrounded by with people from out of town?

Ultimately, we all have to answer the question of who is this city built for. The residents who live here, or those who want to vacation here (including those who profit from them)? Frequently it feels like it is tourism at all costs. I would like to see a moratorium on vacation rentals in our neighborhoods, but I understand we live in a tourist economy. We have to at least attempt some balance, hopefully by taking a look at what other tourist destinations have done.

I am tired of losing my neighbors. I'm tired of long-term renters not being able to move here, or being kicked out. I'm tired of the constant changeover of strangers living on my street. I want my children to grow up with other families in the neighborhood. I sincerely hope some of this rings true for you as well.

Thank you for your time,

-Iain Morris River West Neighborhood

On Fri, Aug 15, 2014 at 6:40 AM, laurel brauns: To: Bend City Council

Dear Bend City Council Members:

I am writing to show my support to a recent movement to re-evaluate the permitting process for vacation rentals in the City of Bend. I am aware that many close-in Bend neighborhoods are now at 20% vacation rental occupation and that the number is increasing at record speeds. I am totally against the city issuing any more permits until this issue is seriously evaluated, and I hope that after that evaluation that the City Council will put a law in place that creates a wait list for any more permits.

I have lived in Bend for eight years and in that time have made three quarters of my income off the tourism industry. I worked for Visit Bend for a year and a half. I studied tourism marketing at OSU-Cascades and I’m now employed as the Marketing Director at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. I am not against tourism and see it as a vital part of Bend’s economy.

What I am against is turning Bend into Sunriver. That town was built primarily as a transient community, where one of the best qualities of Bend is the sense of a close-knit, permanent community of like-minded citizens who are lucky enough to call this place home, but who also have made a lot of financial sacrifices to live in a place where many can only afford to visit. We make less money because we live here. It is well documented by EDCO that the same jobs in Portland and California make a third or double an equitable job in Bend.

I have directly felt the effects of this transition from residential to vacation rental housing on Bend’s Westside. Prior to moving to where I now live, I was looking for a full year for a single bedroom or a small house that I could afford. and homes were taken within hours of being posted. I have heard the rental market has never been this tight in Bend.

Currently I’m being evicted from my apartment because my landlord wants to make the last bit of summer vacation rental income that he can. The apartment I pay $750 a month to rent gets $200 a night when marketed as a vacation rental.

As one of my final projects when doing some post-bacc work with Kreg Lindberg at OSU-Cascades, I studied unsustainable growth patterns that occurred in Aspen, Telluride and Moab when those cities got on the national radar as outdoor meccas. The situation got out of control and city governments didn’t react fast enough and most “locals” that actually worked in the towns themselves where forced to move to neighboring towns. Some cities went so far as to build government subsidized housing within the city limits to cut down on commutes and traffic.

Out of control growth patterns in Bend have gotten both the city and the people who live here in a lot of trouble in the past. Let’s collectively put on the breaks for vacation rental permits and follow in the footsteps of other cities around the state that recognize the value of residential neighborhoods.

Sincerely, Laurel Brauns Saginaw Avenue

On Jul 27, 2014, at 7:33 AM, "Lauren Buccola" wrote:

All, Much is in the local, and by local, I mean our neighborhood, news about vacation rentals. While I respect that people need places to stay while vacationing (and spending their money) in Bend, what needs to be respected in that this influx of vacation rentals is destroying the tight knit communities that we have built.

I can tell you on the 5 block section between Columbia & Cumberland, there are 3 VR's (that I know of). There is also one at the end of Cumberland, on Columbia, just north of the part. The owner of that house, has told the owner of the VR rental company she uses, she intends to VR out her other two homes on Cumberland.

Another example is SW Allen. There are 5 VR's in the stretch from Columbia Park to Commerce that's a 50% concentration. And those are only the one's I know of.

Every house for sale in our neighborhood is being marketed as "perfect vacation rental". Not only do we have another housing market bubble growing, but we are losing the sense of community.

I have had to call the police a number of times, as many people come to town and do not respect the noise ordinance. We have illegal fireworks going off daily, dogs barking, kids screaming. Ugh! I have contemplated selling our house, but we have owned it for almost 20 years. We should not have to compromise where we love to live, because the VR market is not being regulated.

Please stop this madness. Put a limit of the VR's in the city. Create real living wage jobs or attract businesses that do provide them. Develop Juniper Ridge, as we have been led to believe it would be a high tech center with a 4 year university site (don't get me started on this one).

Keep Bend a great place to live, not vacation. Best, Lauren Buccola & Dean Edleston

To: the Bend City Councilors From: Clella Thomas Re: Bend City code for vacation rentals

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am writing to add my voice to the “Houses Are Homes, not Hotels” cause. We have lived for 34 years in a very quiet neighborhood of the old West Hills. However, about 3-4 years ago, one neighbor on Rimrock Ave. decided to turn his very large home (sleeps 10) into a VRBO. As it turns out, he owns other such properties on the west side of Bend. He markets the Rimrock one as “in an ultra-quiet neighborhood” with a hot tub on the large deck. As a result, the neighborhood has been subjected to numerous late night, noisy outdoor deck parties with drinking, loud music, profanity, etc. Several neighbors tried to speak to the owner, but to no avail. They tried calling him in the middle of the night, but he never answered his cell phone. Consequently, two wonderful families moved out of the neighborhood.

In an attempt to quell the turmoil and frustration that was developing, I contacted then City Councilor Kathi Eckman and she arranged a meeting with me, Diane Garrow (a neighbor directly below the VRBO), Eric King, Robyn Christie, the city ordinance person and Councilor Eckman on Sept. 27, 2012. Basically, we were told that the city code for vacation rentals hadn’t been updated since 2006 (I believe) which was prior to the housing crash when lots of homes were gobbled up and turned into short-term rentals. We were also told that our first step should be to call the non-urgent police number and report whatever disturbance the renters were causing (noise, parking, blocked driveways, etc.). I then circulated the attached flyer to the neighbors with that information. A few calls were made to the police that fall, but basically the outdoor party house rental season was over for the year.

In 2013, neighbors were more vigilant about calling the police for noise and other offenses, but the VRBO still kept many residents awake at night. This summer has been better, although I still hear complaints, see numerous cars parked at the house and on the street and know some calls have been made.

Although we do not live directly below the VRBO in question, we are concerned about the way it is changing our normally peaceful, harmonious neighborhood and possibly effecting property values. I have heard similar complaints from residents of other west side neighborhoods that have been invaded by VRBO owners. It seems it is time to revise the city code on this matter. As I told the city representatives in 2012, perhaps we should study some of the codes in other tourist cities such as Cannon Beach or Ashland.

Furthermore, we all know there is a severe shortage of long-term rental properties available in Bend. I firmly believe this is largely due to the tremendous rise in short-term VRBO rentals which are often much more lucrative, but much more disruptive to a neighborhood. I hope the City of Bend will revise and update its code on vacation rental property Sincerely, Clella Thomas

Dear Jim, It sure seems like Bend is experiencing and out of control “Vacation Rentals By Owner” explosion. I hope the city leaders will aggressively address this for these reasons: 1. The neighborhoods where there are a number of vacation rentals have deteriorated due to the noise, parking and constant turnover of people.

2. The explosion in numbers of these properties have uprooted many long-term rental tenants....folks that generally make for better neighbors. 3. We are not receiving taxes on many of these stays, missing an opportunity for much needed funds to promote other tourism activities. 4. Regulations/controls are inadequate. Permits, business licenses and approval all need to be evaluated. Why do we require other small business owners to have a license but not those who rent their properties for vacation visits? This is one bubble that needs reigning in....it needs a conscious.... and more responsibility to those it is impacting. It has already had a big impact on my neighborhood….a place I have loved and supported for 19 years now. Thank you,

Jerald L. Barnes Quincy Avenue Bend, OR 97701

From: Ulla Lundgren Date: July 27, 2014, 2:28:58 PM PDT To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Subject: We urgently need better VR permitting to protect our Bend homes and our Bend quality of life.

Dear Bend City/Community Officials

We would like to share with you some of the issues of living right by Columbia Park, a neighborhood with a large quantity of vacation rentals.

When we moved into our neighborhood six years ago there were zero vacation rentals on the little triangular corner of Columbia/Allen Road and Albany street. Within the past couple of years there are now 5, only six homes in our little triangle is occupied by home owners or long term renters, that is almost 50% vacation rentals! We adore our neighborhood but it is starting to feel lonely and disconnected.

We are frequently solicited by investors and real estate agents/brokers inquiring if we want to sell our homes. There are handwritten notes on our gate/front door to buy our home in cash and personally addressed letters and postcards in the mail. We have zero interest in selling our home but have no way of stopping these solicitations.

We are concerned that the ease of getting a vacation rental permit in Bend is creating an "out- pricing” of local residents who want to buy a home. Homes in our area are often bought up by investors wanting to turn the home into a vacation rental or builders looking to scrape an older home and put up a gigantic modern house all the way up to the easement.

However, two of the vacation rentals near our house are owned by our neighbors who live practically next door. One of our neighbors is widowed and this is a way for her to earn an income since her husband died a few years ago. Of course we don't want to create a situation where someone like our neighbor can't get a vacation rental permit. We are concerned with investors from out-of-town and local investors who do not live in the neighborhood and own multiple vacation rentals all over Bend.

The less than 1% availability of rentals in Bend is also a concern. Will residents who work in Bend become forced to move out of the Bend city limits in the future?

Please protect our wonderful residential neighborhoods.

Ulla Lundgren & Jeff Huebner NW Columbia Street Bend OR

From: Martha Murray Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 9:49 AM To: Doug Knight; Anne Aurand; Mel Oberst; Colin Stephens; Sally Russell; CityManagerShared Subject: vacation rentals

Please save the quality of life on the westside.

Houses are homes, not hotels. We urgently need better VR permitting to protect our Bend homes and our Bend quality of life. Bend is a vacation destination and as such need responsible limits on vacation rentals.

Best, mm Martha Murray SW Colorado Ave Bend, OR 97702

On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 3:55 PM, Justyn Livingston wrote: To Whom this may concern:

I’m sorry I was unable to make the meeting last night—but I did want to voice my concerns about it—

I live on NW Union Street. With the increase in VRBO rentals, I’m worried we’re losing our friendly neighborhood! If we decide to allow a few vacation rentals, I think it should be on a rotating basis, requiring the owners to occupy their house a portion of the time so that we have people living around us who care about their homes, the community, and our beautiful town! I really like the idea of an immediate moratorium until we can figure out the best plan.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness on this subject,

Justyn Livingston Union Street

We are on Portland avenue and are literally surrounded by vacation rentals. My 2 small children are constantly woken up by the noise from late night parties. Strangers are constantly lingering in front of our house. There is a duplex being built across the street with the intention to short term rent. Please help me protect my children.

Sincerely, Cheryl Soronen, MD

On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 12:26 PM, Christine Barnes wrote: Hi Doug, I would like to weigh in on the vacation rental situation in Bend. I live next-door to a home that is now TWO vacation rentals. The main house and a small apartment. I also live across from Hillside B&B. The difference is simple: the owner, Annie Goldner, lives in the B&B. You could not have a better neighbor. She is always there to oversee her guests needs, parking, whatever they require. There was a conditional use permit when the house was converted to a B&B. It is business and functions as such. Next door, a new management company has helped, but the fact remains that there are rotating people coming and going with absolutely NO available parking for the main house (the one-car garage is off limits for renters) and the steep driveway keeps most of them off and is also off-limits (barricaded) in the winter. Our alley is clogged with cars. This vacation rental is a business in a residential neighborhood. Was there a permit process? Absolutely not. Is anyone at the property to meet, greet and look after the guests? Of course not. Does anyone shovel the snow on the sidewalk or put in the garage bins on a regular basis? No. Unless it is us. Beyond my personal experience, we walk through Bend's Westside every morning. If a house is being fixed up, it will be a vacation rental. Fixed up is nice, but we pass dozens…..dozens of vacation rentals in our three mile trek. How did the city of Bend let vacation rentals take over residential neighborhoods? It's like everything in Bend, once something works for a few with no restrictions, the flood gate opens. A cap on these properties is just part of the answer. Bend needs to look long and hard at what this is doing to the core historic neighborhoods of Bend. If vacation rental owners were treated like B&B owners, you might see a change. Thanks, Christine

Christine Barnes Author NW Quincy Ave. Bend, OR 97701

Lorin Hayden To [email protected] Jun 29 hi mell this is lorin i live on 252 nw Georgia ave in bend I’m writing in regards to the vacation rentals considerations i want you to know that I’m in favor of vacation rental i have benefited from them in numerous ways but i am in favor of regulating them as well i have 9 houses on my block and 3 of them are rentals with one having 2 units so that ads up to over thirty pecent thats way to much also i have 7 to 8 houses within a block and a half that are rentals i was at a party tonight and five deferent familys were talking about this issue and each family had at least 2 rentals within 2 houses distance from there home im wondering if city council members are aware of this issue and how it affects ower community please keep me in the loop on this issue if you can some kind of regulation is needed thanks lorin lorin, katie keanu hayden lewis nw Georgia ave bend oregon

From: Barbara Hudin Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:28 AM To: [email protected]; Subject: Re: Vacation Rentals

I went through this whole process before we put our house on the market. Rimrock is included in the West Hills subdivision and I still have the plot map and the CC&R's. I spoke to everyone who had anything to do with the CC&R's and the problem is..... they are old (1978 -1982), there are no HOA fees, no monitoring over the years for violations. Many people have broken the rules over the years - drive around and take a look: structures are within setbacks (my studio addition - okay with the city), RVs parked in front of houses, grafiti wall!! The City of Bend does not oversee CC&R's, I talked to them when we built the studio, as they have their own rules and it is up to neighborhoods to deal with these regulations. They laughed at my concern about the West Hills CC&R's, no kidding, as they are "old" and were setup at a time when property was cheap and abundant. I spoke with a woman (have her name in a file somewhere) who was head of something to do with the West Hills subdivision and the CC&R's and her response was the same as the city - document is "outdated" with no oversight. The CC&R's are based on the subdivision (two phases) and have nothing to do with these neighborhood associations (River West or whatever) that have emerged over the past 10 years or so... these associations have no power except in numbers(?) and a voice to make a change for the future - that is your best bet! Make waves with consensus. Don't waste time on the CC&R's.

Good luck!! We moved, essentially, after reviewing this mess and talking until we were exhausted by the process. If you want control, you must pay HOA fees and have someone overseeing violations in a timely fashion. That seems to be the bottom line...

We said that we'd never live in a gated community with HOA fees... LOL... it's quiet here, there is an RV lot, people must park on their property, they actually plow... did I mention that it is quiet?!! I really hope that you guys can change things, as it is a great neighborhood! xo B

Glenda Mackie from West Hills said: Most newer neighborhoods have a simple clause in their CC&R's stating no rentals for less than 30 days allowed, this takes care of overnight rentals. I haven't read ours recently, but as a neighborhood, if people really don't want to have vacation rentals in West Hills, it could be done. It's a neighborhood issue more than the City as some neighborhoods allow them and some don't, so the City can't really police that but as a neighborhood we can. If we want to have a neighborhood meeting and read the CC&R's and figure out as a group how to proceed, I'm happy to help. Glenda

On Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 11:32 AM, wrote: Hi, My name is Edith McBean and I reside on NW Iowa Ave. We have had a number of incidents in our neighborhood that have spoken to just this issue. We love living in the West Hills and would prefer having neighbors that respect our home and privacy. We moved to this neighborhood because of our lovely home and neighbors that enjoyed the views and the quiet respect for each other. Ben d is special and it just seems like it is selling out to vacationers...... which of course I was once..... but with that said we choose to vacation in the .

Let me know how I can help in some way. Edith McBean

On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 10:15 AM, Kacey Taylor wrote: Hello!

Please add me to your email list. We live on Federal & Kingston, in a multi-generational household. The last year we have noticed a lot more noise and traffic in the neighborhood ~ a direct result of all of the vacation and rental housing.

We stand by you all in wanting to protect our neighborhood!

Please let us know how else we can help.

Thank you for spearheading this necessary awareness!

Kacey & Ryan Taylor NW Federal Street

On Sun, Jul 27, 2014 at 11:27 AM, t r wrote:

Here is our input as we are unable to attend this meeting tomorrow night. Let us know if you need more info.

Let's try to expediate this process, by not dragging it out with months in between meetings to discus the issues & focus on an expediated solution & not have an endless process. We need to put a hold on vacation rentals & come up with a plan to limit them in single family residential neighborhoods. Gary & Terry Reynolds Harmon Blvd

On Jul 13, 2014, at 11:21 AM, "Bob Griffin" wrote:

Mr King, Bend City Manager

VACATION RENTALS, MORATORIUM ON FEDERAL

Eric,

Help...... I'm homebound in a wheelchair. Could you or someone speak at the City Council for me.

"Bend" has "permitted" 4 homes of the 9 on my side of the 800 block of Federal and the home across the street into non family use.

The home next to me "Oregon Ski Guides" is more family than a business, not ever rowdy at night or extra street parking pressure like the vacation rentals are.

I lived in a great neighborhood --- now becoming a MOTEL. Please let me know what I can do to stop the continuing degradation I see in my RESIDENTIAL neighborhood ?

Thanks very much

Bob Griffin On Thu, Jul 3, 2014 at 3:45 PM, Bob Griffin wrote: Eric,

Yes, the 4th in Drake Park WITH A MIRROR POND is the Bend I know

The Western side of my block has 9 homes. Only 5 of the 9 are now true family homes...... and the "home" directly across the street is also a transient rental.

Per Mel's letter a "Fall 2014 review of residential standards" may be long after the horses have left the barn. Not an answer .

Please deny any additional applications for this great family neighborhood it is almost decimated Please review parking compliance on existing rentals. The parking requirement IS NOT being met.

Thanks for keeping on this time sensitive problem.

Bob Griffin

From: Elizabeth Jacobi Date: Sat, Jul 26, 2014 at 1:28 PM Subject: Residential neighborhood turning commercial To: [email protected]

Hello Councilor Victor Chudowsky,

We've lived on Federal St. for 14 years, and what was once a sweet, neighborly community now feels like a commercial zone. With Vacation Rentals on both sides of us, and across the street (33% of our block now), the city has completely failed to protect our RS (Residential/ Single family) zoned neighborhood. I never imagined that this could happen to our RS zoned home. We’re not alone. This trend is affecting many residents.

Many long term renters fear they will be evicted as houses are converted to Vacation Rentals. Local families who want to live where their kids can walk to school, the park, grocery store...can't find available homes to buy or rent.

Bend's type 1 (rubber stamped) permit approval system, with no expiration date and no limit on neighborhood density, is inept and irresponsible.

Other cities have protected residents from this type of intrusion. Here are articles reviewing zoning code and input from other city leaders in Oregon: http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/portlanders_can_cash_in_on_air.html

Depoe Bay: http://lincolncountydispatch.com/index.php/news/item/2166-depoe-bay-council-scuttles-vacation-rental- expansion/2166-depoe-bay-council-scuttles-vacation-rental-expansion

Ashland zoning code: http://www.ashlandlodgingassociation.com/travel-advisory/ http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/article_400827c4-c85d-11e0-95ee-001cc4c002e0.html

Portland zoning code: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/article/226140

Cannon Beach: http://ci.cannon-beach.or.us/docs/Building/Building%20PermitZoningInfo.pdf Cannon Beach chose to cap VR's at a fixed quota. "There are 92 such permits. You can place your name on a waiting list should a transient rental permit become available. A vacation home rental permit allows one rental every two weeks. "

Manzanita: http://www.ci.manzanita.or.us/_docs/ordinances/ManzanitaZoningOrdinanceIndex030409.pdf, Page 89, Short Term Rentals, excerpts:  A cap shall be placed on short-term rentals in the R-2, R-3 and the SR-R zones. This cap shall be 17.5% of the dwelling units within these zones.  A property owner shall have only one short-term rental permit.  The short-term rental permit is issued to the owner and does not transfer with the sale or conveyance of the property.  Off-street parking for a minimum of 2 vehicles and a maximum of 4 shall be provided. All vehicles must be parked off the street and on the property of the dwelling being used as a short-term rental.  The City may determine that an appropriate penalty is the revocation of the short-term rental permit.

Durango, Colorado: Durango allows only one Vacation Rental per street segment, with prior neighbor approval. “ In the residential zones, a Limited Use Permit can be granted to only one VR per street segment. If a permit is issued for a corner lot, both street segments that abut that corner lot and all the lots that abut the intersection become ineligible for a vacation rental limited Use Permit. A second VR may be allowed on a street segment with a condition Use Permit if it meets certain, specific criteria. A total of 35 VR permits are allowed in EN-1 and a total of 28 VR permits are allowed in EN- 2.“http://www.durangogov.org/DocumentCenter/View/131

Please act to protect Bend's neighborhoods! Thank you, Beth Jacobi

Letters written in response to the Bend Source Article: IN REPLY TO "HOTEL, MOTEL, NEIGHBORHOOD INN?" (8/6)

I have taken photos of Airbnb visitors who are apparently drunk and climbing on the roof and chimney of my neighbor's house, which he has rented out almost every weekend of this summer. Loud, obnoxious and if they get drunk enough, I wonder who will absorb the liability? I haven't shown him the photos yet. I don't think he even cares. —Anon

"The property, when I purchased it, was really run down. It had a bunch of snowboarders living in it, weeds everywhere," Phipps explains. "I think a lot of people in the neighborhood are happy because it has added to the neighborhood." Those were my neighbors, long-term renters. Though our property value may have improved, the quality of our neighborhood has declined.

—Desiree

Sarah Phipps' comments illustrate just how out of touch she is with the neighborhood she decided to take over with her commercial operation. No surprise, she doesn't live in the neighborhood from which she extracts money. People would be happy to have back the residents she kicked out—renters with a history and some stake in the community—than the ridiculous hotel compound she has created. You can throw money around and fancy up old houses all you like, you're still sucking away a neighborhood's identity doing it. There is a place for making money on tourists and it isn't in our neighborhoods. —source

The Bend community needs to decide what this city is really for. Does it exist to live in as a community, or is it tool to extract tourism dollars at all costs? —Enrique

I think the comments by Stephen Junkins were shortsighted and against the spirit of Bend. Bend has phenomenal activities for children, athletes and basically anyone who enjoys what nature has to offer. The spirit of Bend is to welcome all like neighbors. But it appears that Junkins would like to redefine what a neighbor is based on a rental history or if you own a home. I have lived in Bend 19 years and have neighbors who have not said hello in that time. Because we live in close proximity to one another does not constitute us being neighbors. I am also a caretaker for five vacation rentals and though the owners live out of town, the homes are meticulously maintained. The guests are so respectful of the homes and each home is always left clean and well cared for. They have loved their stay in Bend. And why begrudge a homeowner who makes a better income for a short term rental. And the income generated and the jobs supported by our kind and friendly guests is great for Bend as well.

—A Bend Resident who welcomes others to our homes

I live on a block with four adjacent vacation rentals. Three of these are part of a large fenced-off "compound" complete with advertising signage, run by someone who doesn't live in the neighborhood. Weeks go by in the shoulder seasons where we feel like we live in a ghost town. The street is dark when we come home. Winter and summer, our street is crushed with parking problems, noise, traffic, and everything else that comes with hotel guests looking to have a good time. Only a few neighbors remain who we can say hi to on a daily basis. The vacation rental issue is an insidious problem, as it quietly robs a community of its collective voice to speak out about local issues that affect us. Vacation renters don't care how good the local schools are, how much work the roads need, speeding issues through neighborhoods, local land development, pollution, or a host of other issues that homeowners and long-term renters are concerned about. Vacation rentals in high concentration cause a slow deconstruction of a neighborhood's character and identity that can be difficult to see. The rentals are often "spruced up" with new paint and lawns, a facade that suggests a resident is happily living there. Ultimately, we all have to answer the question of who is this city built for—the residents who live here, or those who want to vacation here (including those who profit from them)? Frequently it feels like it is tourism at all costs. We need money from tourists, but we have to at least attempt some balance. I urge other residents to speak up about this issue before your neighbors disappear as well. —Iain Morris

IN REPLY TO "HOTEL, MOTEL, NEIGHBORHOOD INN" (8/6)

Glad to see this issue gaining traction. I share a surprisingly affordable westside house with three other working young adults—all with jobs that directly support the tourism industry—and have just been given 60 days to vacate by our out-of-state landlord. Whether it will it be turned into a vacation rental, we are not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it on Airbnb.The people who serve the beer and deliver the food and rent the bikes and work the ski lifts need a place to live for the tourism economy to work, but unfortunately the property speculators are too short-sighted to see beyond the allure of easy money with zero responsibility to the neighborhood or community as a whole to grasp that concept. Furthermore, these same landlords-from-afar often forget that they are responsible for the basic upkeep of their own rental properties, yet they routinely stick residents with the bills for plumbing, appliance repair, landscaping, etc.— the type of things which rent is supposed to cover. But I'm not surprised to hear them blame it all on "a bunch of snowboarders". Gotta keep out the riffraff if we're going to completely gentrify this place, eh?

—Nick Adams

On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 8:50 PM, Amanda Knapp wrote: I would definitely like to include my voice in not allowing any more, or slowing the process of vacation rentals in Bend. This is causing a huge shortage of homes for those who need long term homes to rent in the area and is driving the price of our current rental market WAY up.... With little supply and much demand! Which is also creating a lot of pressure for those living here since the wages often aren't comparable to rental rates.

Please include me in your petition to the city.

Thank you, -- Amanda Knapp

On Thu, Sep 4, 2014 at 8:02 AM, KATHLEEN M JONES wrote: please tell me what more can be done in Bend to increase restrictions on homes being used as rental properties in residential neighborhoods.

Katie Jones

On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 1:00 PM, Anonymous wrote: Hi, I got your email through the announcement you sent to RWNA. I lived in Old Bend for one year and have lived in River West for the past two years and am concerned about the takeover in both those areas. On Wall St, next to Pioneer Park. Vacasa has pretty much taken over our HOA board.

I recently read that "Airbnb, HomeAway, TripAdvisor and FlipKey have created the Short Term Rental Advocacy Center. The center will advocate for laws and regulations that allow homeowners to rent out their homes, or rooms in their homes, to travelers short-term." I am concerned that there is no counter lobby group to represent the everyday residents of Old Bend and River West.

Thanks,

On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM, John Stockham wrote: We strongly support proposed regulation of short-term vacation rentals in RS single family areas. Every time we see a house in our neighborhood for sale or rent, we are concerned about the potential for a vacation rental investor purchasing the home for short-term rentals.

We suggest requiring a Conditional Use Permit (and hearing) for short-term vacation rentals in the RS Districts.

There may be other ways to address this issue - but the "bottom line" is that something needs to be done in a timely manner.

Thanks for you consideration on this issue. -- John Stockham and Carol Schunk NW West Hills Ave. Bend, OR 97701

On Sat, Sep 13, 2014 at 11:57 AM, Gayle Larson, Broker wrote:

Thank you for the email. I would attend the meeting but we are in Nepal until the end of the month. I believe it's my duty to disclose to buyers in the neighborhoods highly impacted by VRBOs such as yours that there are many vacation rentals. Also, I mentioned we have 3 VRBOs: one in NW PDX (mixed zoning), one in Maui(all vacation area rentals) and one in San Luis area( but that is used for physicians staying a month or longer). So, I know the VRBO business well.

My position on VRBO/AirBB is this: In a residential zoning VRBOs should be limited if not excluded. Vacation rental by definition means: transient accommodation. Therefore does not fit the residential zoning code requirement(unless I'm missing something about residential zoning). Also, VRBO is a business, not a home business but a transient accommodation business, much like a hotel or B and B. If an area in the city is zoned mixed use/business/commercial that's a different zoning requirement and VRBOs would be okay in that area. In Bend, NWX has CCRs that prohibit transient accommodations but do allow 60 days or longer. That's fair in my opinion. I agree the city should adopt standards and limitations in neighborhoods like yours. Summit West Neighborhood Assc will be addressing this issue in the upcoming months.

Thank you for letting me know about the meeting. Gayle Larson, Broker

Thomas Lotina NW Federal St. Bend, OR 97701 July 16, 2014 Dear Bend City Counselors:

As a homeowner on the inner West side of Bend in the Boulevard Addition neighborhood, I would like to weigh in on the current discussion regarding vacation rental operations in neighborhoods zoned “residential, single-family.” I think it is extremely important that city leadership become cognizant and proactive on this issue as Bend attempts to move towards its “Bend 2030” vision and maintain a high quality of life for all of its residents.

My wife and I recently relocated to Tucson, Arizona in order for me to complete a graduate school program. My wife and I found ourselves facing the dilemma of how to rent our home while we would be gone for several years. We considered renting the house unfurnished with a 1-year lease, but found an opportunity to partner with someone we knew and trusted to create a vacation rental instead. As a result, my wife is able to maintain her business based in Central Oregon, in part because she is able to stay at our house when she returns and to use the car we have stored in the garage.

While we understand and appreciate the importance of long-term residents, we made a decision based on our needs and on based on what was permitted by the city. Had it not been an option for us to make our home a vacation rental, we would have leased it on a year-by-year basis.

After we left last July, we began to hear from some of our neighbors about the negative effects of living next door to a vacation rental. Occasional parties and cigarette smoking are the lesser problems. The greater problem is the inability of our neighbors to establish long-term relationships with their neighbors, for better or worse. Unfortunately, our neighbors happen to be sandwiched between two vacation rentals, and may face a third across the street soon.

This brings me to my point: limit the number of vacation rentals to one or two per block. You might consider putting the permit up for a lottery every 5-10 years, to avoid one resident monopolizing the privilege. Make it a gradual transition, so that homeowners currently renting their homes as vacation rentals have time to plan for the changes necessary.

While you are being proactive, you might consider making the new, 4-year OSU campus a completely bicycle-, walking-, and public transit-based institution. This would be easy to do in the early planning stages, and would create the best chance of maintaining the wonderful flow we now enjoy through the West side’s many traffic circles.

I advocate for both of these issues because I love Bend and I value the direction it has taken thus far with regard to community planning. I have enjoyed living next door to some of the finest neighbors anyone could ask for, and I hope that many others get to enjoy the high quality of life found in many of Bend’s neighborhoods. My good friends and neighbors who remain on the block report that as the number of vacation rentals passed the 1/3 mark, the quality of life on the block became unacceptably low.

These are the early, “wild west” years of vacation rentals. Communities are still discovering the costs and benefits of this new trend. As proactive leaders of Bend, I urge you to begin studying this issue and making regulations that will allow some of the benefits of vacation rentals within the community while limiting the drawbacks while limiting them to a reasonable number.

I advocate this knowing that I too will have to change our rental situation someday. When you, as city leadership, have created thoughtful and fair boundaries on this issue, my wife and I will be happy to bring our own rental into compliance.

Good luck with the process! Sincerely, Thomas M. Lotina

On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 10:22 AM, Barbara Smiley wrote: Councilors: I am writing to voice my concerns about the rampant rise in vacation rentals in the Old Bend neighborhood, as well as many neighborhoods all over Bend. As a native Bend resident I have seen many changes to our town, and have worked hard to maintain the historic properties which were in jeopardy of going away. Luckily, we have historic districts and designated landmarks that will at least to some extent make sure the soul of this community remains.

But the recent uncontrolled ability for anyone to buy a property and flip it into a vacation rental is extremely disturbing. Along a five block stretch of Delaware Ave., where our family lives, we know of at least six vacation rentals, and I would guess there are more. Our neighbors to the north on , Georgia and Lava have it much worse, with many more vacation rentals. The historic districts seem to be especially attractive for these rental owners, for the quaint feel and accessibility to the downtown cores. Many of my neighbors and friends are experiencing the downside, with parking problems, loud parties, traffic and entitled attitudes from the visitors. After all, they probably paid plenty to rent those places for a couple of nights. Long-time residents are finding they have no neighbors, and some are surrounded by vacation rentals.

Please do whatever it takes to find a good solution to this problem. Since Bend has changed from the sleepy mill town I grew up in, to a vacation/recreation mecca, I understand that an all out ban would be difficult. I urge you to implement a quota at the very least, which has been done with success in other cities. The permit process should be specific and complete, involving neighborhood input and subject to renewal. Violations must be subject to penalty. Owner occupation for 6-9 months could severely limit the neighborhood transient chaos. We have been told by VR owners near our house that they were fixing the place up so they could live there, only to see a sign in the yard for a VR the minute the work was done. Disappointing, but speaks to the runaway train this VR mess is becoming.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have, but know that the livability of our town is at stake, especially for the residents who, like us, have worked hard to preserve the heart and soul of the neighborhood, for the future. sincerely, Barbara Smiley NW Delaware Ave.

We moved here seven years ago from San Diego, and rentals were more affordable but still quite high based on the job market available here in Bend. The recession hit and we all know the consequences of those years. But right now, the greed from the out of state and out of town landlords for vacation rentals is outrageous! I agree with putting the brakes on, and making sure we keep Bend a community of like-minded people who are here for the long run... Not just a vacation! There are plenty of hotels and motels for the vacationers to enjoy, and keep the housing for the people who live and work here! -Laurel Knight

Yes, this is ridiculous. I love Bend, but I feel like its on a path of overconsumption. Bend does not know moderation. We all wear the sustainability sticker, but Bend as a whole knows no such thing. Too many breweries, too many vacation rentals, too much too much.

-Hank Hill

It's unsettling never knowing who your "neighbor" is going to be each week. You hope it's going to be a responsible sports tourist, but when the Les Schwab is hosting a concert you 'neighbor' seems to magically turn into a Fraternity house overstuffed with obnoxious partiers who care little about this great town we call home.

-Jayson Bowerman

Out hand for sure. It has put the rental market at such a high demand, now rental prices are out of hand. Break out the hammer!!!

-Gregory C Garretson

Laurel, response to your vacation rentals…you are right! This is ridiculous!! I had know idea it was this bad. Not only does it leave folks wanting to be in the rental market out of the game, but it drives up prices for everyone…both rental and for sale. And this many vacation rentals destroys neighborhoods. The idea of eventually living in a little westside "hippie" house once I'm an empty nester is very appealing, but the price per square foot is absurd. I have a friend who has a VRBO on Union and cleared $4600 in just one month!! Its no wonder they do so well, but it is screwing the locals.

-Jenny Moon

http://www.bendsource.com/bend/letters-11-18-11-25/Content?oid=2407445

IN REPLY TO "TELL THE CITY HOW YOU REALLY FEEL ABOUT VACATION RENTALS" (11/13)

Two vacation rentals located next door to my main residence, eventually, after three years, forced me to sell my home. Living next door to a short-term rental property is absolutely impossible. New guests weekly, new sounds weekly, new pets trespassing onto my property. Ban vacation rentals from residential neighborhoods. Period!

—Ribert Stiles

Owners of vacation rentals should live on the property, not rent them out through property management companies. The owners will then be responsible for, and be aware of, any problems with their guests. That was the main focus when vacation rentals began, and would alleviate much of the current hysteria with vacation rentals.

—cutedog

My preference is for a ban on vacation rentals in all residential neighborhoods. A compromise would be to ban them in areas zoned single-family housing and to allow owner-occupied vacation rentals in RM [medium-density residential] and RH [high-density residential] zones. Owner-occupied means that the owner lives on site full-time. Vacation rentals would be allowed in commercial zones too. I think this is a good compromise. Investors can have their VRs in commercial areas, homeowner-occupants can have theirs in RM and RH, and homeowners who bought in RS with the expectation that it's residential (and not commercial) can have some peace and quiet.

—A Good Compromise

On Mon, Dec 1, 2014 at 8:55 PM, EW Ballinger wrote:

Thanks for the communication. I’m not sure if i will get off of work in time for the Thursday meeting. If i cannot make it, it is not from a lack of interest in the topic. I want the advisory board [VR task force] to know that our house here on the corner of Kingston and Union (1109 NW Kingston Ave.) has a total of 5 immediate residences that are being utilized as vacation rentals. Out of the lots that span our triangle block, 7 are permanent residences owner occupied (one of those is an AirBNB), 4 are long term rentals, 4 are vacation rentals….roughly a third of the immediate residences are being utilized as a vacation rental! Interesting and sad to break it down. It is enough that we are considering moving. It is really a commercial zone…hiding under a residential designation. We have two schools (Kingston and Kenwood) so close to all of this as well.

Just some data for you…numbers are always nice to have and that is the latest from our immediate block. best regards,

Eric Ballinger