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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable 10 things to know for Thursday 10 things to know for Wednesday Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Community actors balance day jobs, stage life Education Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers Business Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Cars We Remember: ‘Topper’ movie car most memorable Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Paul nets 41 as Clippers rally past Trail Blazers Grizzlies ace first MWL test Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Blazers clinch playoff spot Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon High school Grizzlies ace first MWL test Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying Our View: More of the same at SOU? Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Letters to the Editor, April 1 Editorial Our View: More of the same at SOU? Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Our View: One for the books Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Letters Letters to the Editor, April 1 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Poets, put on your party shoes A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Spring exhibitions open at Schneider Museum of Art Community blog: Ashland High grad performs at OSF's Hip Hop Open Mic Top 5 things to do this week Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Ticket availability Ticket Availability Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Alan Alda knows the secrets to acting, marriage Movie Listings: April 3-9 'Shadows' gets staked in the heart Movie review: ‘Woman in Gold’ doesn’t shine Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Carol Link: Pruning rose plants, step by step Religion News: Indiana Republicans to amend ‘religious freedom’ law How often should you paint the outside of your house? Marketta Gregory: Many ways to wash feet Movie Listings: April 3-9 Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ticket Availability ... Ashland Calendar, Thursday, April 2 ... Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying ... Ticket Availability ... Ashland Calendar, Thursday, April 2 ... Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Comment By Stephen A. Larson DailyTidings.com By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I live and run a licensed vacation rental at 635 Siskiyou Blvd. Although I am vice president of the Ashland Lodging Association, the comments I have are my own and not meant to represent those of the ALA. I have no problem with the creation of Accessory Traveler's Accommodations as proposed. In fact, I feel it would create a less expensive alternative and bring in visitors to Ashland who would not normally be able to afford it. Such accommodations are common in Europe and are quite inexpensive in comparison to a private room or house where the proprietor is not living down the hall. The proposal here mandates that only one party at a time with only one car can be provided with not more than two rooms by the hosting party. Use of the kitchen is prohibited and the proprietor must be present during the visit. Unfortunately, here is what will happen: Hundreds of applicants will apply for and be licensed to operate such accommodations in every neighborhood in Ashland. After that it will be impossible to determine who is complying with the ordinance and who is not. As in the past, those who don't find the rules agreeable will simply do what they want, except now, with their license, they will be able to advertise and operate in full view and without fear of being discovered. By passing this with no effective plan for enforcement, the City Council will be creating a chaotic situation which will lead to the end of any kind of municipal control of the accommodation industry here in Ashland. It is my suggestion that those who are in favor of this get rid of the rules pertaining to traveler's accommodation all together. Simply award a business license to anyone who is willing to pay for it and require a city room tax be charged. The negative impact of doing that, however, is another issue. Barring midnight raids and neighborhood surveillance cameras, how can the city make an attempt at insuring compliance by the licensees of these Accessory Travelers Accommodations? The only practical solution I can think of is, at the cities expense, to have personnel pose as tourists, book accommodations and physically stay there and report back any violations. Also, if licensed, all advertisements in the description of the property must include an outline of what an Accessory Traveler's Accommodation is as defined by the city and encourage visitors to report violations. Since there will be hundreds of licensees to monitor it should be a one-strike-and-you're-out policy. The city, at it's sole discretion, should be able to revoke a license and impose substantial fines. Perhaps with this, operators of these businesses will be intimidated enough that they will be more likely to regulate themselves and adhere to the conditions of their license. Stephen A. Larson lives in Ashland. By Stephen A. Larson DailyTidings.com By Stephen A. 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