By Scott Unger • Of the News-Register • 

Does Mac have a short term rental problem?

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Comments

TJ1104

Ironic that the city has no problem allowing these outside corporations profit off our tourist industry, by allowing these over priced boutique hotels to capitalize on it, yet prevents local homeowners from doing the same. We'll spend and invest that income locally, while these outside corporations will take that income out of our local economy and invest it elsewhere as they move on to change the atmosphere of another historic "main street" somewhere else.

mepitts

First, I'd like to thank the City Council, the Planning Commission and Heather Richards for the attention they are giving this issue and that they have given the concerns expressed by the 50-signature petition our neighborhood submitted about a proposed STR in our area (and to speak to TJ1104's point--purchased by an out of state buyer who will not live in the home.)

Second, though, in a city that is so well-run generally, it's hard to understand the rationale for additional STR's in light of the limited pool of single-family homes and the evidence of limited demand from visitors. The industry web site “AllTheRooms.com” indicates STR occupancy in McMinnville in 2021 was 45% and Visit McMinnville indicated that hotel occupancy last year, before new hotels came online, was 60%. As other cities have done, the Planning Commission would serve the city well if they set demand-based and available single-family housing targets for considering new STR applications. They would also do well to retain or expand the original 660 foot buffer and to give preference to STR's with local ownership. A city policy that is STR "friendly" at the expense of scarce single family homes is not consistent with the "liveable community" called for in the McMinnville Mission Statement and demonstrated so well in other city policies. Mark Pitts

tagup

While I don’t disagree with your point, I think having short term rentals located in residential neighborhoods could have some downside for homeowners that are permanent residents. Multiple short term rental properties in the same area or less than interested landlords can definitely impact livability and home values.

David S. Wall

VRBOs, AirBnbs and their accursed variations should be prohibited in neighborhoods.

Tourists should only be funneled into 'Hotels' to support these services as well as to support Downtown businesses.

There are more egregious torments headed into neighborhoods such as 'Child-care centers (up to 16 children per resident)' and 'Navigation Centers-for the 'strung-out'.

The most severe and virulent destruction of single-family neighborhoods are found in Speaker Kotex's [HB 2001 (2019)] and its' evil twin [HB 2003 (2019)].

*[HB 2001 (2019)] can be found here:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2001/Enrolled

*[HB 2003 (2019)] can be found here:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2003/Enrolled

*For a quick read on [HB 2001 (2019)] and [HB 2003 (2019)] go to:

https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/UP/Documents/HB_2001_HB_2003_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf

***All of the aforementioned will bring forth severe diminution of single-family home's property values.

Fortunately, none of the Legislation is 'bullet-proof' but...Plaintiff Attorneys (the very good ones) don't come cheap.

David S. Wall

Mac Runner

What makes TJ think most profiting off of VRBO’s are local owners? Why should residential properties be converted to commercial use given the housing shortage? As for the downtown buildings, whatever redevelopment happens has to work financially. I doubt any of those buildings are to current standards for fire or earthquake. The property owners should be allowed to do what is needed to make them safe and keep third street vibrant. Yes, it sucks that rich people and corporations are taking over everything everywhere. Where have you been living that you think McMinnville is unique in that way?

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