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This is in response to the ongoing debate over short-term rentals, specifically with regard to homes and ADUs, and in response to a letter in the March 29 issue of The Leader, “Don’t pass laws without facts.”

In a recent letter, Mr. Burton attempts to justify or defend the use of ADUs as short-term rentals. His excuse for this is the benefit of tourist dollars to the town and, of course, as he is a homeowner with an ADU, for his own financial gain without regard for the effects on neighbors.

I’ve had two previous letters on this topic printed in The Leader. The first on Nov. 11, 2015 and the second letter on April 27, 2016.

I would now like to repeat some of the facts I pointed out in those previous letters.

The real effects of allowing ADUs and homes as short-term rentals would, above all else, disrupt the peace, character and privacy of neighborhoods. It would limit the full-time rentals and the dollars they bring to town all year, in every way.

It would drive up the rent cost for what full-time rentals are left. It would give incentive for people to buy property here solely for that purpose, whether they’re locals or not.

This isn’t being anti-tourist; this is being pro-neighborhoods and city health in general.

As the tourist demand increases, the City of Port Townsend needs to create solutions without infringing on neighborhoods. Those solutions are what they always have been: more camping areas and hotels where that zoning permits.

Pass the laws acknowledging these facts and real effects regarding short-term rentals, without the greed factor.

DWAYNE NICOL

Port Townsend