Suspend STR permits

Dear editor:

With the controversy over short-term rentals (STR) invading otherwise peaceful neighborhoods — essentially “Hotel Houses” springing up unexpectedly — and the upcoming Hot Springs city board and mayoral elections, I urge all concerned citizens to determine their candidate’s position on this thorny but most important issue.

Our collection of friends and neighbors on our peninsula suffered such a recent invasion. And it happened without us even knowing such a thing would be, or had been permitted by the city. It was a done deal before all of us even knew about it.

A few years ago, against the will of many, our neighborhood had been forced to join the city. But at least we had the solace that the increased burden of regulations would be balanced by the protection of neighborhood integrity zoning laws. This has now proved to be a misguided assurance. We now suffer the disruption of weekend tourist revelers running up and down our street at breakneck speeds, loud party music, and some have even gone to the wrong addresses, disturbing the peace and tranquillity of adjoining homeowners. All of this, combined with the threat to our property values and even the ability to sell our homes has incensed very many good folks. Such irresponsibility on the part of city authorities and such disregard for the quality of life issues to those neighborhoods affected is truly sad to see.

Would you and your neighbors want this in your future?

I think it important to immediately suspend any and all STR permits until an appropriate due process can be established by the city. Perhaps a separate board or committee could be established to give prior notice to neighbors of any such permits being issued. And if there is too much opposition, such a permit would not be granted.

So please, for the sake of your quality of life, ask your board or mayoral candidate their thoughts on this extremely important issue.

John R. Bomar Hot Springs