To the editor:
When too much emphasis is put on tourist accommodations by welcoming the loss of single-family homes to short-term rental investments the consequence is high. For Lincoln County the cost is greater than 2,000 homes sacrificed to provide tourist accommodations.
Many once-single family neighborhoods outside the cities have become stomping grounds for resort-like behavior. We must ask ourselves why we aren’t encouraging community relationships that come with having neighbors?
November’s election will bring forth Ballot Measure 21-203. A “yes” vote will help restore single family homes in neighborhoods outside the cities through a five-year phase out of short-term rentals. The STRs within cities will still remain.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this will sink the county’s economy. We have a diverse economy. Isn’t retention of our vital residents working in healthcare, schools, fisheries, science, trades, fire and police important? Let’s value our residents new and old enough to want them to have available housing. Life’s necessities include water, food and shelter. Don’t discount the importance of feeling secure and respected. These two often come from not only being part of the greater coastal community, but also from the neighborhoods in which we live.
Individuals opposing measure 21-203 want you the Lincoln County voters to believe that homes converted to STRs are not financially feasible for residents. Residents come from all different financial backgrounds, therefore don’t judge purchasing power. People living in neighborhoods outside the cities have bore witness to the lifeline that was provided when the board of commissioners put a temporary moratorium on licensing new STRs.
The truth of what happened during this time is a door was opened for residents new and old to purchase homes that formerly would have been snatched up for STR use. It happened in my own neighborhood. Two former STRs were sold and then bought by full-time residents. This benefits not only our neighborhood but the whole county. These are families serving the community in vital jobs and through volunteering. Putting the needs of residents first strengthens the county.
— Traci Burks, Beverly Beach
Great letter. I built a house in Netarts in 2007. The vacation rentals so degraded the neighborhood I sold It last year. Be wary of people harassing or slandering you for speaking up. It’s a big business. Great letter. Stand up for your neighbors.
I really hope that people can educate themselves on this initiative – it is way over due. Those of us that live next to vacation rentals are literally held hostage; loud parties, over occupancy, barking dogs, blocking driveways, roads, stop signs etc. It’s exhausting to live this way. On top of all of this is the big rental companies not responding.
My neighborhood has trash, dog feces constantly, full time homeowners are left to pick it up. If you complain to rental companies they will initiate a lawsuit and drag your name thru the mud, label you a “trouble maker” and trust me, people are more than willing to have a scape goat when it comes to money.
I’m personally being sued. They put my name on the office door telling people if they see me or my husband call the sheriff, they served me with a restraining order in my own neighborhood. They built a website with my pictures and other homeowners pictures to notify STR owners who to watch. Yep. This is happening, I’m not the only person, countless lawsuits to full time/part time homeowners. Local newspapers won’t do a story on it because they are also scared of lawsuits.
This is an extremely disturbing way to deal with homeowner complaints and concerns. Large corporations invading a neighborhood, silencing homeowners. Everybody should be concerned about this practice -if your not outraged, you’re not paying attention.