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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 10 things to know for Wednesday Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland 10 things to know for Tuesday Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Control burn set for Wednesday 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 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 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Politics and elections 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 Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US 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 Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Blazers clinch playoff spot Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Documentary about Southern Oregon University football's national championship team to screen for free Fantasy Sports: Reds’ Chapman opens list of top closers High school 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 Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament 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 Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Letters to the Editor, April 1 Landgren cartoon: European travel essentials Our View: One for the books Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Editorial 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 Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class 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 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 Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Ashland High grad performs at OSF's Hip Hop Open Mic Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 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 Movie review: ‘Woman in Gold’ doesn’t shine Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Page H. Onorato: What’s on the menu for Easter? Page H. Onorato: Leftover ham and eggs make for some yummy dishes after Easter Carol Link: It’s time to get into shape for spring yard work Prudence Hilburn: Bake something different — cracker bread Lost in Suburbia: April showers bring May diets 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 Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland ... Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza ... Control burn set for Wednesday ... Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland ... Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza ... Control burn set for Wednesday ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: City considers the sharing economy Comment By Pam Marsh DailyTidings.com By Pam Marsh Posted Mar. 15, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 15, 2015 at 1:55 PM By Pam Marsh Posted Mar. 15, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 15, 2015 at 1:55 PM » Social News Even people who love Ashland leave it once in a while. Think back to your last trip away. Where did you stay? A hotel with room service and wake-up calls? Or maybe (especially if you’re younger and a little adventurous) you rented an extra bedroom you found on Airbnb or a similar website? On Tuesday, the Ashland City Council will consider legalizing that last option. If approved, residents in designated city neighborhoods who obtain a conditional use permit would be allowed to rent one or two bedrooms to travelers visiting or passing through town. The proposal challenges a deep-rooted, traditional view of neighborhoods. For the most part, we have kept single-family neighborhoods free from business activity. As a community, are we ready to jump into the sharing economy? In 1970, my parents moved into a home on a cul-de-sac. Our house was surrounded by a labyrinth of streets including many more cul-de-sacs, a maze of homogeneous suburban development a mile square. Forget walking. The nearest store was separated from our neighborhood by intimidating four-lane arterials. It was development predicated on car travel and spurred by the notion that good planning segregates differing uses. Many of our ideas about great neighborhoods have shifted since then. We no longer promote cul-de-sacs, returning instead to the traditional grid pattern still prevalent in our historic areas. Our most popular neighborhoods are ones where residents can walk or bike to shopping or work. Several years ago Ashland began permitting home-based businesses, allowing some workers to fully integrate home and employment in a single-family residential neighborhood. The traveler’s accommodation proposal would legitimize a new type of home-based business in R-1 neighborhoods within 200 feet of a major street, and in all historic districts. A homeowner (no renters) residing in his/her primary residence would be allowed to rent as many as two bedrooms to a single party traveling in one car. No kitchen facilities and/or prepared food could be provided. The homeowner must be present, obtain a conditional use permit and pay a city tax on overnight stays. As we consider the proposal, the council and the community should ask these questions: Would the introduction of traveler’s accommodations undermine the character of our neighborhoods? Proponents argue that the impact of a paid guest on neighbors is no different than having your cousins spend the night. Many state that the income they derive from renting a spare bedroom allows them to keep their homes. But critics believe that the systematic influx of strangers undermines neighborhood cohesion and upends a reasonable expectation that neighbors should know the folks asleep next door. Some wonder if short term visitors will take rooms that otherwise would be occupied by long term residents. Do our visitors want home-based options? Airbnb claims that 95 percent of users give their hosts a 4.5-5 star rating. That data is likely skewed, but it does appear that users are happy. Since these accommodations are often much less expensive than conventional lodging, guests no doubt consider the impact on their pocketbooks a plus when assessing the quality of the experience. The tremendous growth of Airbnb in other communities suggests that the model could easily gain a following here. Is it possible to construct an ordinance that permits home based accommodations without giving them an unfair competitive advantage? Traditionally, the sharing economy has tried to bypass government regulation and taxes. Other proprietors, especially bed-and-breakfast operators, are rightfully requesting a “level playing field” that allows all vendors to compete fairly for visitors. The requirement for a conditional use permit, as well as collection of taxes, would be a step in that direction. The proposal for tourist rentals definitely pushes the R-1 envelope. But too far — or just right? Is Ashland ready to cross the Airbnb frontier? Email your comments to the council, or come to our meeting to join the conversation. Pam Marsh is a member of the Ashland City Council.           By Pam Marsh DailyTidings.com By Pam Marsh Posted Mar. 15, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 15, 2015 at 1:55 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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