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Opinion

Mason: SB1379 does not protect the integrity of homeownership

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SB1379 could protect the integrity of homeownership, and could be so much more, if fixed to place more trust of STR zoning decisions to local control and/or to provide stronger and more effective “preemptive incident” management, meaningful fines, limited grace periods, occupancy limits, licensing, and simplified processes.

Senator Mesnard’s claim that local control of STRs is a “bridge to far,” means not trusting local control to protect the integrity of homeownership by regulating STRs, and that protecting STR owners, and the STR industry, from local regulation is more important than protecting homeowners and the integrity of homeownership.

Protecting the integrity of “Homeownership” is a primary duty of government.

The integrity of “Homeownership” means a decent, safe, and welcoming place to live, raise kids, and retire, and protecting the integrity of homeownership is a local and not a state responsibility.

Local zoning is intended to protect the integrity of homeownership by regulating lodgings for “strangers” (transients) and separating them from family neighborhoods.

“Strangers” (transients) are not neighbors, and no one knows anything about them, they could be criminals or predators or just misbehave.

“Strangers” (transients) mean no one knows who is walking or driving in their wfdneighborhoods or trying to talk to their children or having a nuisance party.

It is “too many strangers” (transients), not “nuisances” (party houses), making neighborhoods no longer decent, safe, welcoming place to live, raise kids.

Moms are afraid to let children play outside. Children become terrified of “strangers” (transients). Homeowners get anxious when a “for sale” sign goes up and pray that it will not be sold to investors wanting to put in a “whole house STR” and bring in even more “strangers” (transients).

Similar, and worse stories are becoming a growing cry for help. All this is common knowledge, but it is still going on and needs to local control, not state control. Too many strangers (transients) destroy the integrity of homeownership.

“Whole house” STRs are lodgings for “strangers” (transients) and bring “too many strangers” into neighborhoods. These STRs are the problem because they replace homes of neighbors.

No one wants to live next to one, no matter what it is called. It is doubtful if any STR industry executives, or lobbyist, or owners, or public officials live next to one. They are “hotels,” not “home sharing.”

Homeowners are the “stake holders” whose homeownership is under attack, not those STR industry “stake holders” quietly residing elsewhere: investors, traveling public, online operators, tourism industry, lobbyist, public officials.

Senator Mesnard said that he would consider other guidelines on STRs in the future if he felt necessary.

Don’t worry, the integrity of homeownership will remain an issue until the state trusts STR zoning decisions to local control, trusts that were striped by SB1350. The issue will be back if SB1379 is not fixed now.

Editor’s Note: Dave Mason is a resident of Scottsdale.