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STR noise is the norm

Letters

Editor:

As another summer unfolds, the residents of our neighbourhood are once again finding their quality of life impacted by short-term rental housing (STR). A six-bedroom 12-person Airbnb rental unit is embedded in our cluster of rural homes. Late-night parties are infrequent; however, a myriad of everyday noises are invasive when they are persistent and close at hand.

Sitting on our own deck or inside our house we grow weary of hearing the intimate details of conversations, loud voices, music, arguments and periodic profanity as people typically consume alcohol in a festive atmosphere. This situation could arise with any neighbour, but at the STR noise is the norm rather than the exception. Only four days have not yet been reserved from July 1 to Sept. 28.

The owner who lives off-Coast has now purchased and cleared an adjacent lot. It is entirely possible that a second house will be used for the same purpose. There is also another unsupervised Airbnb unit within 100 metres. Our own guests who used to cherish the peace and quiet have noticed the difference. It’s sad to hear longtime neighbours discussing the need to move.

The District of Sechelt relies on formal complaints to control the problem. Concerns are vastly under-reported in part because the process does not provide a short-term solution. Direct confrontation has led to increasing tension. The results of a recent poll in this newspaper indicate that 80 per cent of residents support a requirement that STR hosts live on site. This would make effective management largely self-regulating.

The local bylaw states that unacceptable noise is any sound that unreasonably disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood. The district should begin to take this seriously.

Richard Carton, Sechelt