Reconsider B&B rules

Upon further reflection, we find the tabling of an ordinance exempting host homes from the zoning code's definition of bed and breakfast inns curious in light of other events at that city council meeting.

The curiosity comes with the emergency passage of a zoning code amendment that same night which would allow temporary homeless shelters. Discussions on that ordinance centered on the fire regulations written into the proposed new section of the zoning code to protect the transient residents.

The discussion of the host home ordinance centered on commercial interests seeking to protect their businesses and investments. Although the host homes also house transient residents, only the commercial bed and breakfast owners raised the issue of liability.

Fire chief Dennis Kirin, who spoke eloquently about the need for fire suppression systems in churches where the guests are unfamiliar with the surroundings, was silent on that issue related to host homes. Guests staying in a host home are no less unfamiliar with escape routes in a home they might visit once or perhaps two times a year.

Certainly we are not suggesting the host home programs should be dismantled. They provide a valuable service to guests, income for the non-profit organizations they support, and economic benefits to downtown merchants.

Neither do we feel they should be regulated as bed and breakfast inns. This would scare the volunteers away, leaving the hundreds of parents and other visitors without accommodations during major college events.

The don't-ask-don't-tell system currently in place is a poor way to enforce the bed and breakfast zoning code. Although the programs have operated well for years with few complaints, a fire or other tragedy at a host home could open up the city to liability for not enforcing its own laws.

We would ask council to reconsider the ordinance. It would allow the host home programs to continue, but remove a potential problem for the city.