STRs: City’s actions short-sighted

Short Term Rentals were originated in 2003 by the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce in response to the demand created by Ironman. The Chamber even created a website for property owners to post lodging for Ironman participants. As a Realtor for 35 years, I have watched this STR infant grow into a vibrant part of our economy.

Why is the Coeur d’Alene City Council targeting this core of our economy? Coeur d’Alene is a tourist city dependent on tourist dollars which then recirculate throughout our economy.

Each STR brings tourists here who save their money all year-long for a vacation in Coeur d’Alene. Each one pours hundreds of dollars a day, thousands of dollars a week into our economy. They are shopping downtown, going to restaurants, the museum, Silverwood, Triple Play, renting pontoon boats, jet skis, ATVs, parasailing, zip lining, hiring fishing guides, the sea plane, taking ROW adventures, buying clothes and souvenirs.

STRs are in competition with each other for tourist guests. Each one is meticulously maintained, landscaped, fully furnished, constantly cleaned and upgraded; at great expense to the STR owner. Some STR’s are out-of-state owners who vacation here, rent them as STRs, with a long-term goal of retiring and becoming an owner occupied home.

The decision to hire Granicus and impose unrealistic fines to undermine these STRs and their economic value for all of us is truly short sighted. Perhaps all City Council members should become pro-Coeur d’Alene and pro-business.

SUSAN DREDGE-DICKSON

Coeur d’Alene