Editor:
Firstly, I am very sympathetic to the burden that some short-term rental properties (“STRs”) have caused for neighbours. Such problems and the failure of our system to address these are unacceptable.
I see the issue as being first and foremost a need for effective and proactive enforcement. This includes appropriate licensing, proactive monitoring and, as needed, immediate intervention by trained enforcement professionals.
Further, all home-based businesses, including STRs, need to be clearly “identified” (with business licences and fees charged to cover the costs of effective monitoring by the local authorities).
I see any effort to eliminate STRs as unnecessary, counterproductive and, inevitably, doomed to fail. I believe the great majority of STR operators provide a service that is welcomed by their guests and neighbours alike. But we don’t hear about these – only those causing trouble. Also, there is no denying visitors contribute, to one degree or another, to the overall economic well-being of our community. Finally, my concern is that efforts to eliminate or restrict STRs will just drive those operators underground and the problems will continue.
This raises another point – I believe most of the problems that arise with home-based businesses relate to noise. There are a huge number of home-based businesses on the Coast. And the majority operate without any problems. However, where a business creates noise, that’s not fair to the neighbours.
I suggest noise needs to be the focus of everyone’s efforts – whether for STRs or any other home-based business. We need to find ways to ensure noise does not disrupt our quiet enjoyment of our homes while also supporting the creative and industrious efforts of the business operators.
My view is that all home-based businesses, including STRs, can be accommodated – but it requires a coordinated and proactive enforcement by our local governments.
John R. Henderson, Sechelt
