Article Preview: Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules - DailyTidings.com - Ashland, OR

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2015-03-20

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3 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 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Should Ashland homeowners be able to rent rooms short-term? Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Forum to explores data gathered in National Monument Northwest Pizza to raise money for Ashland Schools Foundation Education Northwest Pizza to raise money for Ashland Schools Foundation Prisoners in their own home Louie's to donate sales to Helman Hug Fund Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Ashland Kiwanis recognizes Samara Diab Environment 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 With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Business Breaking ground on organic vineyard practices Southern Oregon University: Recent and pending projects at SOU total about $132 million Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Mark L. Hopkins: Looking for a political straight shooter Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries James Ellis York Death Notices Death Notices Shiela R. Ettlich Karen June Shaw Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Weber, Smith earn All-American honors Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading Wade scores 32, Heat rally to beat Blazers AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor High school Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Fredrickson leads Grizzlies to season-opening romp Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Ashland High's Honsinger tops field in final nordic ski meet Grizz snowboard team heads to state with repeat potential Southern Oregon University Weber, Smith earn All-American honors Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Thompson, Weber to play in all-star game Beavers get No. 3 seed, host NCAA games Voices Latest Stories Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Our View: Tuition trauma Letters to the Editor, March 19 Editorial Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Our View: Ashland backs residents over visitors in lodging decision Letters Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Guest opinions 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 Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Columns Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Council Corner: City considers the sharing economy Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Best bets for entertainment around Ashland, March 19 Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Community blog: Herzog scholarship for young writers Movie listings: March 13-18 Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Oregon Shakespeare Festival designer for a half-century says he's still learning Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Music 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 The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie listings: March 20-26 More wonderful wrinkles at 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' 8 must-see spring films Movie review: ‘Wrecking Crew’ is a look at the people who really put the bomp Movie review: ‘Cinderella’ is an instant classic Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Stargazing is a fun, free family activity 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   Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet       ...       Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area       ...       Ticket Availability       ...       Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet       ...       Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area       ...       Ticket Availability       ...           GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules By Stephen A. Larson DailyTidings.com By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 @ 12:01 am »  Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> 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. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments   /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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