None other than U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, former mayor and native of San Francisco, penned an op-ed opposing a recent action by the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors to legalize short-term stays in private homes.
Senator Dianne Feinstein writes that legislation to legalize rental systems like Airbnb "is a shortsighted action that would destroy the integrity of zoning throughout San Francisco, allowing commercial and hotel use in residential areas throughout the city."
"This home-sharing legislation blurs those lines and provides for residential housing to be leased out for hotel use. As such, those of us who value the residential character of our neighborhoods and are invested in the city’s quality of life will see all of this washed away by a blanket commercialization of our neighborhoods."
In addition to arguing that rental services such as Airbnb pose a risk to neighborhood character, Senator Feinstein also argues that they also increase the cost of living in an already expensive city. Senator Feinstein urges Mayor Ed Lee to veto the legislation if it's fully approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Kim Mai-Cutler reports, however, that the Board of Supervisors approved the regulation on October 21, 2014.
H/T to Mario Trujillo for sharing news of the op-ed.
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