Letter to County Council re Vacation Rentals

I do not believe the "financial benefits" of more vacation rentals represent an equitable and just solution. Please honor the decision to respect San Juan County citizens voice on this matter.

I support the 413 cap on vacation rentals previously decided and also support the permits expiring on the sale of the property

Please don't help to destroy our communities with more vacation rentals. Honor you previous decision and support the cap of 413.

Please honor the August 20th agreement to freeze the number of VR permits at the Active and Compliant number of 413, along with the associated island-specific caps.

Please listen to all who are signing here! Enough is enough of strangers coming and going in our neighborhoods.

Selling our islands to the highest bidder is pathetic & greedy at best! Especially when locals have a hard time finding housing can't get off island for appts due to increased traffic! Keep a limited amount of VRBO's w/valid permits. How the islands are preserved will reflect our votes across ALL county agencies!

As far as im concerned the amount of rentals in my neighborhood have brought down the standard of living.

Keep the cap as low as possible. Vacation rentals, in general, are not a positive for the San Juans.

PLEASE freeze the permit number as voted on August 20th.. Our communities are changing way to fast. Isn't it better to be be prudent now then trying to take back and fix the problem later.

For my part, I welcome owner-occupied VRs as they allow our neighbors to make ends meet. However, so many of the VRs are operated by absentee owners who for all intents operate them as businesses. (A quick review of the list of VR permit holders turns up individuals who hold 3, 4 and even 5 active rentals.) Furthermore, I have heard the refrain multiple times "my house has to earn its keep". My question to those individuals is "Is your home owner occupied or Is that your second home? Your third?"

IT's high time the present commissioners take action to correct the previous commissioners flawed assumptions and decisions

I fully support the cap of 413 vacation rentals that the Planning Commissioners decided upon, and feel strongly that increasing that number is in opposition to the wishes of the majority in our community.

Please cap vacation rentals to sustain what little long term rentals there are here!

Please freeze vacation rentals at the current level of 413. VR permits should not be grandfathered with the sale of a house. Protect San Juan Island from becoming a tourist haven that negatively impacts the quality of life for islanders.

I thought this was settled. I am absolutely disgusted with our Representatives!

Please Limit the number of vacation rentals to prior Levels and return our neighborhoods to a sense of stability.

I agree with everything in this petition.

All tourist-related enterprises rely on the goodwill of residents within the area burdened. As the existing level of VR penetration is barely tolerable, particularly as to non-resident entrepreneurs, there is a serious problem of fairness that is not being addressed.

As a resident I believe that we do not need 650 vacation rentals on the small island. There are too many as it is and it is affecting the people that live here full-time detrimentally. There needs to be a cap and they should not allow grandfathering vacation permits on houses that sell. Enough is enough

Too many vacation rentals destroys the ambiance for the other vacationers. How can you get back to nature when there are too many buildings surrounding you and blocking your view, and people everywhere you turn? That's exactly what vacationers are trying to get away from.