Editor:
Re: “Directors eye options for regulating Airbnb and other short-term rentals,” Feb. 10.
I read with interest that the Sunshine Coast Regional District directors are being asked to consider bylaw amendments to deal with the increasing number of short-term vacation rentals. Also the spike in complaints to 15 in 2016! Yes, certainly up dramatically from seven from 2013-15, but it would be interesting to know what type of complaints are being received, as 15 complaints in one year certainly does not seem excessive.
I am a recent part-time transplant from North Vancouver. I purchased my home in Sechelt like many others seeking a more peaceful lifestyle and hoping to become part of the community. My house sits vacant when I am not using it, but I would certainly like the option to rent it should I choose to do so. I am just becoming familiar with the local economy, but it would appear that the fishing and logging industries are long gone. From my limited knowledge, construction and tourism appear to be the mainstays. During the time my house sits vacant it does not provide any stimulus for the local economy. Would it not make more sense to allow part-time tourist rentals rather than curtailing such? This move to restrict seems counterproductive and I question who benefits – maybe the 15 people who complained last year?
Surely a family renting my house for a short term puts dollars into the local economy and provides ultimately for the demand of goods and services. To me, tourist dollars are what we should be attracting as locals benefit from their increased spending. Tourists also do not put a strain on the same services that locals do, such as health care and the like. I do hope the directors look at both sides, complaints vs. benefits, before imposing changes to the existing bylaws.
Al Dodimead, Sechelt
