SMALL DWELLINGS: Don’t let them become Airbnbs

Allowing small dwellings to be built on large existing lots behind the original home is a good one as long as these aren’t allowed to become short-term rentals.

Another idea for workforce housing is to give long-term rental owners a break. As home prices increased so did the appraisal of long-term rentals. That resulted in increases in rents locally. Give these owners a tax break. Tax them at the original price they paid for that rental as long as they continue to rent to long-term renters. This should last until the house is a rental.

Treat Airbnbs and other short-term rentals as the businesses they are. These compete with hotels and hotels have been good to Coeur d’Alene and have provided many jobs for locals. Short-term rentals compete unfairly as they are not under any rules.

Short-term rentals should have a business license, they should be inspected, they should follow rigid rules for the number of parking places they can provide. Also there should be a limit as to how many short-term rentals are in the city limits and how many are allowed on each street.

DONNA HARVEY

Hayden