To the editor:
The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals struck down 15neighborhoods’ Ballot Measure 21-203 because it used three “land use” terms to amend Lincoln County’s short-term rental licensing code.
County commissioners decided not to appeal the LUBA dismissal, and 15neighborhoods agreed. On Aug. 31, commissioners extended the county’s moratorium against new licensing for six months in certain residential zones. This makes sense, too.
Are we personally disappointed in LUBA’s decision? Of course. Have we learned from our mistakes? Yes. Is there a clear path forward to victory? Absolutely.
The LUBA opinion showed us how to write a legally defensible ordinance that will achieve our goal to phase-out short-term rental licenses from the residential neighborhoods of unincorporated Lincoln County.
15neighborhoods has learned a lot since July 2020. We now know what the Oregon citizens initiative and ballot measure process involves.
Everyone can now spot “fake news” paid for by an industry dominated by property management companies and realtors who cater to out-of-town investors.
We still can’t say much beyond what we’ve already said, namely: 15neighborhoods has options, needs help paying our attorney, and is not going away until the phase-out of short-term rental licenses is achieved in Lincoln County.
Stay informed. Ask questions at 15neighborhoods.com, “like” 15neighborhoods on Facebook, and ask to join the 15neighborhoods’ ListServe. Unlike ViaOregon, 15neighborhoods not a “members only” coalition.
Please, continue to donate to help pay our attorney fees. We could not have come this far without our attorney and our path forward depends on his continued engagement.
ViaOregon will continue to litigate until its war chest dries up. Once investors realize that unincorporated Lincoln County is no longer hospitable to their industry, they will take their money and buy property elsewhere rather than continue to fund a fight against Lincoln County’s voters.
This issue is not personal with investors in the same way it is personal with those of us who call Lincoln County home. For investors, buying up residential housing is just another business decision.
— Monica Kirk, Depoe Bay for 15neighborhoods