Photo: RDOS
An Airbnb previously denied a permit in Osoyoos after reports of tenants behaving badly is asking for a second chance.
A rural Osoyoos Airbnb dubbed a “nightmare” by neighbours and denied an operation permit by local government last month is back, asking for a second chance.
The owners of the 37th Street property, Richard and Maria Law, have sent a handwritten letter to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen pleading to re-apply for their temporary use permit, which was roundly denied in July after over a dozen letters from locals poured in complaining about the antics of guests in the otherwise quiet neighbourhood.
As it stands, the Laws will not be allowed to re-apply for a permit until July 2021, but they are asking for a variance to re-apply sooner.
In their letter, the Laws explain they can’t live in the location year-round due to taking care of their daughter’s children in Grand Forks from May to October while their parents pursue seasonal work out of province.
They argue that a temporary rental with a manager is “the best solution” so guests can “enjoy the amenities of our house and Osoyoos area, bringing up the economy as well.”
The property owner’s request includes a “petition” signed by 14 individuals, none of whom previously provided comments in opposition of the proposal, and indicates they would willingly put a screen around the pool area, which was a suggestion floated in their original request to the RDOS.
During the July meeting at which the RDOS rejected the Laws’ first application, their property manager John Redenbach attended to defend the property against complaints that, among other things, the lack of an on-site manager or owner contributed to tenants behaving badly.
“I know the calibre of clients coming in, they’re good people. They’re not here to cause problems. This property is expensive to stay at, and that of itself gets a lot of nonsense out of your customers,” Redenbach said, adding that there was “no evidence” of bad behaviour.
But rural Osoyoos director Mark Pendergraft was not swayed, and pointed out that legitimate, official complaints had indeed been made to the district, and introduced the motion to deny the application. That motion passed, and the Airbnb was not recognized for this summer, meaning all vacation rentals had to cease immediately regardless of pre-booking.
At Thursday’s meeting, the board will decide whether to allow the Laws to re-apply early.
Staff has recommended that their request be denied.
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