Vacation Rental Ban in Hood River?!

starfish · Joined: 14 Apr 1996 Posts: 202

. I am a poor working blue collar guy. I work 50 hours a week. Just to live the dream. Please staying in fucking marin.

boggsman1 · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 9120 Location: at a computer

For the record, this little catfight started with your attack on your former homeland(my current home)...I have nothing love for the Gorge, inspite of the cranky residents Very Happy

starfish · Joined: 14 Apr 1996 Posts: 202

For the record I was born in san fran. right by crissy field. I have earned the right to hate california Very Happy

jota · Joined: 28 Feb 2001 Posts: 205

I'll risk wading in here: Starfish is saying maybe we shouldn't be trying so desperately to attract tourists. Tourism is a minor part of the local economy here, believe it or not, and it doesn't pay family-wage jobs the way a lot of our other industry and businesses do. And the influx of ambling tourists does detract from the quality of life in many ways. Sure, we should welcome tourists and their contribution to the community to a certain extent, but should we advertise ourselves as aggressively as we do? Do you know a portion of the hotel tax (TRT) is dedicated to advertising to attract more tourists?

If the tourist influx degrades the quality of life here, it might become harder to attract family-wage industry and businesses.

That's different than saying we should resent people who actually move here, whether from Marin or wherever. At least their houses, whether owned or rented, are occupied year round, they pay local taxes, support local businesses, and hopefully support the community through volunteerism and - even more hopefully - by being awesome locals (whether they moved here last year or in the '80s).

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I wonder how many here remember the mid-80s Time Magazine (IIRC) article about how windsurfing saved this dying logging town's economy by bringing in HUGE tourist dollars. Of course, it could be argued that its main effect was driving real estate prices (and thus property taxes) out of reach for many residents.

CUSalin · Joined: 11 Mar 2001 Posts: 405 Location: Hood River, OR

trenthightower · Joined: 20 May 2014 Posts: 9

I read an article recently by Arthur Babitz that referenced a study commissioned by the city council (hood River). According to the study, Tourism is responsible for only 6% of the economy of Hood River County. I was surprised to learn that it was that low.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

johnl · Joined: 05 Jun 1994 Posts: 1330 Location: Hood River OR

As one who visited for 15 years (Hood River) and now a 5 year resident I believe there should be some control on short term rentals. Long term rentals become part of the community and tend to look after the property. Short term rentals only care about how much fun they are going to have. That tends to take a nice friendly quiet neighborhood and change it into something else. That isn't fair to the residents. It also isn't good for the value of the home for owners.

Also as one who visited for 15 years staying a month at a time I only camped and the long term campers were the only ones there mid week (we hated the weekenders). So my impact on the community was zero. I shopped and ate bringing money to local businesses but had no impact to the residential areas.

So I m somewhat biased in my views.....

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

Shifting some of the property tax burden onto vacation rentals is something most home owners can get behind. It seems to be working well on Kauai, still plenty of vacation rentals it's just that every other house isn't being turned into one.