Group readies for second community conversation on vacation rentals

Honoring our shared vision

Wednesday, September 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., OHS Cafeteria

— from Island Stewards —

Moving forward…Get ready for a second Community Conversation about vacation rentals!

We heard your call for more information about potential options for controlling various aspects of short-term vacation rentals: What is San Juan County doing to address these problems and what are other communities doing? What are the most viable approaches to achieve balanced growth and maintain environmental quality?

During the first meeting on July 17, island residents identified pros and cons of short-term vacation rentals, viewed presentations about the trends and impacts of vacation rentals in the county, and were introduced to some ways that other communities are managing the negative impacts of vacation rentals. A summary of the first meeting is available at vacationrentalsorcas.org.

Major pros and cons expressed by community members present are summarized below:

• Pros include income for island residents that help pay housing costs, jobs related to vacation rental housing, bringing people to the islands and supporting a tourist economy.
• Cons include a decrease of available affordable housing especially long term rentals for workers and their families, real estate speculation that increases the cost of housing, increased wear and tear on infrastructure including the ferry system, roads, and water and septic systems, over-tourism, environmental degradation and loss of neighborhood/community cohesiveness.

The meeting will occur Wednesday September 25 in the high school cafeteria from 6:30-8:30 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Child care will be provided.

MISSION

Mobilizing our community to regulate vacation rentals in a manner that protects our rural character, environment and culture in the San Juan Islands.

The Vacation Rental Work Group vacationrentalsorcas.org

Maps and Charts

SJC disclaimer: “This map shows the location of parcels as assigned on vacation rental permits since 1990. Mapped locations are not the actual locations of rental houses. This is not an exhaustive list of permits and there may be vacation rental permits not shown on the map. This map does not include permits for hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts or illegal accommodations.”

Community Conversations is sponsored by Island Stewards (islandstewards.org), a 501(c)(3) non profit.