— from The Vacation Rental Work Group —
Over 100 people attended the October 23 community meeting on vacation rentals held in the school cafeteria. The meeting focused primarily on how to move forward in addressing the issue of unlimited vacation rental growth. At the September 25 community meeting a strong sentiment was expressed by those present for a moratorium on vacation rentals that would allow time to explore a regulatory framework.
To achieve this goal it was proposed that direct action by the community would require engagement with county government. Participants were invited to write letters to the county council as well as to give testimony at county council meetings to encourage a moratorium.
The Vacation Rental Work Group addressed their goals moving forward, emphasizing that potential new regulations are focused on future vacation rental permits, not existing vested permits. The work group also discussed concerns of oversupply of vacation rentals impacting existing VR owners and hospitality establishments, as well as our community and rural environment.
A question and answer session allowed community members to express their concerns and ask questions. Immediate action was initiated with a letter writing campaign and a sign up sheet to attend the Nov. 5th council meeting in Friday Harbor. Sign ups for other volunteer efforts, including outreach to other islands, were also offered.
Anyone wishing to express their concerns about the future of the San Juan Islands can write a letter or email to the County Council:
San Juan County Council or email: council@sanjuanco.com
350 Court Street No. 1
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
A bit confused as I follow this significant story. If there is an “oversupply” of vacation rentals doesn’t that suggest that growth in this area has already peaked and so there should not be any real issue about permits, as the current number aren’t being used? Perhaps I’m not reading it correctly. I thought from prior stories that there was a never-ending demand for VR’s that was preventing residents from finding affordable housing and making life on Orcas unbearable due to the congestion.