Karen Johnson: Wrong-headed rentals

Regarding the June 9 news article “Raleigh City Council divided in vote on Airbnb rules”: The Raleigh City Council is seeking to fundamentally transform our neighborhoods. Members are tipping their hat, or holding it out, to well-funded short-term rental advocacy groups.

Mayor Nancy McFarlane and council members Bonner Gaylord and Mary-Ann Baldwin, in particular, are driving this wrong-headed effort. The council is diligently at work crafting code changes that will, in effect, turn our neighborhoods into hotel districts. They refuse to entertain any common-sense proposals to limit transient short-term rentals to downtown/entertainment districts.

By advocating whole-house short-term rentals, they also seek to decrease affordable housing and increase ownership by nonresident investors. Don’t be fooled by false claims that you will not be affected if your neighborhood has protective covenants or HOA restrictions. In such cases, your only recourse is an expensive and arduous journey through a Wake County court.

If you care about safety and security, speak out now, as it will take a huge chorus of voices to be heard. Contact your Citizens Advisory Council and the city council directly at citycouncilmembers@raleighnc.gov. Let’s begin planning for the next round of city elections: Currently seeking mayoral and council candidates who will protect Raleigh’s neighborhoods

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Karen Johnson: Wrong-headed rentals."