Eric Fruits, Ph.D.

President Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association

4318 NE Royal Court Portland, OR 97213-1670 eric.fruits+lna@gmail.com

VIA EMAIL February 21, 2014 Morgan Tracy, RICAP 6 Coordinator Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100 Portland, Oregon 97201-5380 morgan.tracy@portlandoregon.gov RE: RICAP 6 Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association opposition to proposed changes in Workplan Items 12, 13, and 14 (short term rentals) Dear Mr. Tracy: At the February 20, 2014, board meeting of the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association, the board voted unanimously to: 1. Oppose the proposed regulatory changes in RICAP 6 listed in Workplan Items 12, 13, and 14 (short term rentals); and 2. Strongly request that Workplan Items 12, 13, and 14 (short term rentals) be withdrawn from RICAP 6 so that any proposed changes to the regulation of short term rentals be considered on their own and with sufficient input from residents who may be affected by any regulatory changes. The boards resolution reflects a great deal of input from residents of the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Board members have receive dozens of email messages from residents and have had numerous in-person and telephone conversations regarding short term rentals. The Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association devoted a majority of its January 2014 general membership meeting to a presentation by City staff of the proposed changes regarding short term rentals. The meeting was heavily attended and the wide range of issues brought up in the resulting discussion clearly demonstrated that the changes proposed in RICAP 6 do not sufficiently address the concerns of residents. The Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association encompasses an area that is primarily a single-family residential neighborhood zoned R5 Single Dwelling. Some of our neighbors have already experiLaurelhurst Neighborhood Association Volunteer Board Members Eric Fruits (President), Lyle Howard (Vice President), Cat Zalanka (Secretary), Nancy Schwartz (Treasurer) Don Gardner (SEUL Rep.), Gary Naylor (At-Large Rep.), Jim Edelson (SW Quad Rep.) Jeanne Ferguson (SE Quad Rep.), Jacquie Keeney (NW Quad Rep.), Elena MacPhee (NE Quad Rep.) Jennifer Lewis (Newsletter Editor)

Tracy Morgan Page 2 of 2 enced the impacts of short term rentals illegally operating in our neighborhood. Though it is hoped that code changes would bring at least some of these illegal short term rentals under lawful regulation, we are very concerned about any law that sanctions hotel or motel like uses in a single-family residential neighborhood. Such uses can incrementally dilute the residential character of neighborhoods like ours. Such commercial uses can result in impacts that lessen the quality of life that a low density residential neighborhood is expected to provide. The Discussion Draft (p. 7) indicates that RICAP 6 is designed to provide an ongoing and rapid vehicle for technical and minor policy amendments to the Citys regulations. The proposed changes to short term rental regulations are more than a minor policy item. Rather, the Discussion Draft proposes controversial and major changes with a wide range of impacts across the entire City of Portland. Attachment 1 provides a list of deficiencies with RICAP 6 identified by our members. In reviewing the Discussion Draft, we see those same deficiencies. Such a lengthy and comprehensive list demonstrates that the City has not provided sufficient time to solicit and receive a thorough set of citizen comments on an issue that is so important to so many residents. Surely, additional objective performance standards can reduce the impact of short term rentals on residential neighborhoods. For example, one jurisdiction regulates the maximum number of short term rentals within a unit area of single-family residences to preserve certain residential characteristics. There may be many ideas out there that need exploring. Clearly, changes to the Citys short term rental regulations are much more than a minor policy item and such changes deserve further review and discussion on their own. The members of Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association have a keen interest in the rapidly changing market for short term rentals. We would like to remain fully engaged in any proposals to change existing regulations. We are eager to help the City to ensure the regulations maintain and enhance the livability of our neighborhoods. Respectfully submitted by

Eric Fruits, Ph.D. President Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association cc: Mayor Charlie Hales Commissioner Amanda Fritz Commissioner Nick Fish Commissioner Dan Saltzman Commissioner Steve Novick Paul Scarlett Susan Anderson Julia Gisler Phil Nameny Jackie Dingfelder

ATTACHMENT 1 Comments from Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting, January 2014

ATTACHMENT 1 Comments from Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting, January 2014

ATTACHMENT 1 Comments from Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting, January 2014

ATTACHMENT 1 Comments from Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting, January 2014