HomeMy Public PortalAboutPublic Comment Michael Cook This ordinance won't fix STIR problems. There is a simple solution: enforce current penal
codes. Disturbing the peace, littering, blocking roads and speeding are already punishable by law. This
ordinance creates unnecessary bureaucracy,fosters unrealistic enforcement expectations among
residents, and will drive STIR operators away from compliance. It will unfairly burden all operators
instead of violators and place punitive restrictions on all property within the Town.
The current STIR registration system works well. TOT revenue is very robust at$4 million annually. Why
re-invent the wheel? Add key requirements around trash, noise, speeding,fire safety and being a good
neighbor and define some reasonable penalties for violations. Done.
I've lived directly below an STIR for 9 years at Donner Lake. I don't love it, but all neighborhoods with or
without STRs have issues like barking dogs, bad drivers, litterbugs, loudmouths, or homes with too many
cars and people. At least a short-term occupant is only a short-term problem. Restrictions on parking,
trash service and bear boxes should be no different for year-round residences versus short-term
rentals. All property owners need to protect wildlife, keep neighborhoods clean and abide by parking
and driving rules.
In terms of zoning,this is a resort area. Every development here was built primarily as a retreat with
vacation homes. SFR zoning here has been synonymous with resort area housing. The loud parties
today are no different than they were in the 70's, 80's or 90's;there are just a lot more people living
here now to get disturbed. Again, disturbing the peace, penal code 415, is already an enforceable
violation to which police need to respond. I see no rationale in a mandated 2 night-minimum. I doubt
any local cleaning service providers support it, and I've never understood why cleaning fees are taxed
under TOT.
As for trash cans and bear boxes, in 25 years, I've never owned a bear box. Nor have I ever had trash
scattered around any home I've rented or owned here. We keep trash and recycling inside. We take it
out the morning of pickup and bring the empty cans in promptly. It works beautifully,there is no reason
to mandate unnecessary trash services or enclosures on non-violators. Monday morning a TTSD truck
was driving 40 mph on Donner Pass here at the lake, dumpster wide open and trash blowing out. It
happens weekly. Each home pays $30/month for trash collection, and we deserve more careful and
contained handling. Certainly there are trash issues with some STRs, but that is not the sole source of
litter, and again,there is no need to make everyone pay for poor management of a few.
I own a second home used periodically as an STIR also at Donner Lake. It will help pay for my children's
college and will hopefully be a solid investment for retirement. Our cabin is cleaner, safer, quieter, and
better maintained than our primary home, and we have never had a complaint from either neighbors or
renters. We've long and short-term rented it, but we currently need access, so we short-term rent it to
pay the bills. That is far different than a commercial lodging establishment as so many anti-STR
commenters purport. We've housed displaced families,given schoolteachers a relaxing getaway,given
families a great time in a beautiful place, and athletes a place to train in the mountains. It is incredibly
gratifying to provide visitors a home, not a hotel room, where they can make lasting memories,feel
connected and help support our local businesses which rely on that revenue.
It is clear based on submitted comments there are some really bitter residents who probably have
legitimately bad STR's nearby. But as result all STR's have become a scapegoat. I ask,what will the
Town do when it's embroiled in he said/she said battles between neighbors with a history of
disagreements? Is the "tax administrator" a legal judge? For some local residents, STIR income is vital
to their financial well-being. Is a violation like a car parked on a public street worth a $1000 fine? Will
we need a local sticker to park on the roads we already pay taxes on? When twilight ends at 9:45 PM in
mid-summer will there be some latitude on the 10 PM quiet hours? Should everyone stay inside on full
moon nights or not lie under the stars at a home they rented legitimately and paid 12%extra in TOTS to
enjoy? What constitutes evidence of a violation? Is there recourse for an operator falsely accused? I
don't see much enforcement on the recent night-time parking restrictions, so how will that be different
with STIR rule enforcement?
There are simply too many pitfalls in this ordinance. The amount of work it will create for Town staff,
Police, and Truckee Fire is financially irresponsible. Enforce current laws and many of these problems go
away. There is more than enough revenue generated from TOT's to cover administration of the existing
program which is far more likely to have compliance, and operator compliance will be the only solution
to address resident concerns.
Finally,whether you feel strongly for or against this ordinance,the language in section 5.02.060 E
regarding no duty of the Town to enforce, nullifies the entire ordinance. Legally I see why the Town
wrote it, but why make an ordinance if the Town is not culpable? Ultimately,that little mountain town
once affordable and fairly quiet that many of us fell in love with years and years ago and made it a
permanent home doesn't exist anymore. Every weekend this summer was as busy as 4t"of July even
with all of the normal summer events cancelled. Nextdoor is filled with gripes of"locals"who moved
here recently only to complain about people moving here even more recently, and they're all pricing the
actual locals out of our own market. As a community we have many reasons to be frustrated, but this
ordinance is not going to fix any of the actual problems we face regularly. I support regulating STR's,
clean, safe and quite neighborhoods, and I humbly ask Town Council and staff to reconsider this
ordinance since it categorically presumes all STR's are nuisances,which is not at all the case.
In summary, keep registration mandatory but free. Limit occupancy to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2
additional and don't exclude kids. Require a local contact. Post and require guests to accept all
STR/house rules. Drop 2 night minimum. Special events should be allowed at homes that can
reasonably accommodate them. Fire safety, parking,garbage, and noise regulations should be the same
for all homes, STIR or not. The fines for non-compliance are arbitrary, a warning would be more
civil/neighborly for first-time offenses, and progressively longer suspensions for 2nd or 3rd offenses would
be more fitting and allow nearby residents temporary respite. Any property with 4 violations should be
prohibited from STIR for a year. I feel this can happen within the current registration system.
Many sincere thanks to Council for consideration and for working on this,to Town staff, specifically to
Hillary Hobbs for putting some paint on the canvas, and to everyone sending comments who will
ultimately help shape what I hope will be a fair solution.
Mike Cooke, Donner Lake