STRACC Membership renewal and updates

STRACC Endorses Anne Hessburg for Commissioner

How To Submit Your STR Application
 

• Property management plan template. Every STR must provide a property management plan (PMP) that includes certain required content. We have created a template with embedded instructions and some suggested content in certain fields. (Go to File -> Download -> .docx to download a copy you can modify. Please do not request edit permission.)
• Application form guidance. Contains tips on how to complete the application form and where to find information required. (Viewable only by STRACC members, not downloadable)
• Submittal checklist guidance. The county's submittal checklist contains a wide range of supporting documentation that you are required to include with your application. This guidance document provides tips on where to find this information. (Viewable only by STRACC members, not downloadable)
• Fire & life safety inspection guidance. Contains information on correct placement of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and CO detectors, and tips on how to complete this form. (Viewable only by STRACC members, not downloadable)

Members Meeting August 4th to Discuss New Code

1. Welcome
2. Membership Update
3. Overview of the New STR Code
   • Who is eligible for grandfathering and who is not
   • Transferability
   • Tier definitions
   • Operating Standards
   • Occupancy limits including bedroom definition, IRC egress rules, and septic requirements
   • Time allowed for coming into compliance with standards
   • Time allowed to resolve problems
   • Handling of citations, penalties, revocations
   • Permitting Timeline
   • Caps on Future Growth
4. What you need to do now
5. General Q&A

Tuesday, July 13 is when the BOCC will deliberate on the STR code

Dear STR Supporter,

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and spoke at the public hearing, and for all the written comments submitted. This Tuesday, July 13, is when the BOCC will continue their conversation on and editing for the draft STR code, taking into account the written and public hearing comments.

We encourage our members to join and listen in, and highly suggest you change your photo, or edit your name, to show your support for STRs.  Feel free to use the STRACC logo.  Commenting will not be open during this call; we only have the ability to listen in. 

Date: July 13, 2021
Time: 10:15am PST
Link to join the Zoom meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/650411499



Many thanks,
The STRACC Executive Board

Final Public Hearing next Tuesday (6/29)

Dear STR Supporter,

The last STR Public Hearing is scheduled for next week, on June 29th at 10:20am. Instead of an advance sign-up, the County will simply ask people to "raise their hand" in Zoom if they wish to speak, and will call on people "at random". To ensure random selection, we encourage you NOT to identify yourself as an STR supporter in your Zoom profile this time. As in previous hearings, each speaker will be allotted 2 minutes. Here's the Zoom link for next week's hearing: https://zoom.us/j/650411499

Keep in mind, this will be our last chance to voice support for STRs before the draft code is passed. So we strongly encourage all STR supporters to raise their hand and speak up at the hearing. This includes homeowners, property managers, local business owners and STR vendors & employees such as cleaners, handymen/women, landscapers, pool/hot tub maintenance, etc.

Just like December, it will be imperative that we show up in large numbers. We need to make sure that our voices are not drowned out by the other side. So please spread the word about this public hearing!

The BoCC also wanted to remind everyone that they consider all the written testimony as well, but noted that they find form letters less useful than more tailored comments. You can submit your written comments until July 2nd to CD.STRComment@co.chelan.wa.us. The STRACC board has drafted some helpful talking points to aid you in composing your spoken or written comments.

Thanks,
The STRACC Executive Board

Task Force Update & Key Dates

• There are reasonable provisions for grandfathering and transferability for established STR operators. If you were operating in the year before the moratorium and paid your taxes, you should be eligible for grandfathering.
• The lottery and sunset period are gone.
• The cap on the allowable percentage of STRs is higher than in the December draft code. 
• Tier 2 STRs would be allowed in all zones including RW and RV, which contain many STRs but were excluded from the December draft code.

1. STRACC member meeting this Thursday, January 7 at 8pm. We will provide a legal update, introduce our recommendations for the STR Task Force and discuss our negotiation strategy. Make sure you join STRACC asap if you'd like to attend this meeting. Only members will receive the Zoom invite (on Thursday morning).
2. Take the STRACC Survey so we can understand what's most important to you regarding STR regulations and better prepare for the task force negotiations. We've received 215 responses so far, but it's important that everyone of our 500+ supporters on this list spend 3 minutes to fill out the survey.
3. Public Hearing on STR Moratorium next Tuesday, January 12th at 10:30am. The BoCC will meet to take input on whether to extend their moratorium on the creation of new STRs after August 25th, 2020. An extension would prevent many of you who had made investments and plans to operate a new STR (or modify an existing one) but were unable to do so before the Aug 25 moratorium date. So we encourage everyone to SIGN UP TO SPEAK ASAP!