SHORT-TERM RENTALS: Thank you, Coeur d’Alene public officials

I want to thank the CDA planning commission and the CDA City council for addressing the STR issue that has invaded our fair city.

Working toward some commonsense guidelines, rules, regulations and fines for those that chose to run an STR illegally.

I also would like to address some of what I read from the CDA Vacation Rental Alliance.

First, the permit increase from $84 per year to $180 per year equates to operating a business for under 50 cents per day. I do not think the fee increase breaks the bank while funding the means to monitor the STR business model.

The notion that somehow having a revolving door of temp stranger neighbors does not affect the integrity of our neighborhoods is simply not true.

Having lived in North Idaho since 1982 and in our current family home for over 20 years we have had more issues with some, not all, of the neighbor of the day in the last 16 months than the previous 20 years combined. There have been some very nice quiet folks that come to stay in our beautiful city and then there are those that show up to party without regard for the neighbors or neighborhood.

And the ‘data’ that is stated there is no problem with STR guests is an illusion. When we have had an issue of backyard antics, parties, loud vulgar language am I to call 911 or bother our local police/first responders for what is probably not illegal? As a long time community member, I would not bother our local law enforcement every time there is an F Bomb hurled out that absolutely affects the integrity of our neighborhood and not in a good way.

Property rights, your property rights end when they negatively impact our property rights in our commercially zoned neighborhood.

I know that STR are not going anywhere anytime soon but common-sense guardrails need to be put in place to keep intact ALL our collective rights.

Having the moratorium on any new permitted STR will allow the city the needed time to get a solid handle on how best to move forward is a welcome start to fix the STR issue.

JIM VOLKE

Coeur d’Alene