The following is the latest in a series of monthly messages from the RVR Master Association Board, called “A View From the Board.” The messages summarize recent Board decisions and discussions and are designed to bring RVR homeowners up to date on issues important to the community.
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Dear River Valley Ranch Homeowners,
Well, it seems like the discussion regarding short-term rentals in RVR has been going on for a long time. We are now in the voting stretch which will be completed by year’s end. The amendment to our governing documents which is up for vote is as recommended by the Short-Term Rental Committee and as requested by the 200+ signatories on the petition asking for it to be put to a vote.
As people have read through the amendment, questions and different interpretations have been raised as to what exactly the wording implies. The intent of the amendment is to restrict homeowners from renting their houses for periods of less than 30 days. While that seems simple enough, the legalese language intended to close loopholes and make the document consistent with Colorado law can lead to different interpretations.
Many of us want certainty and clarity. We want all potential applications to be obvious when reading through the amendment. That is not always possible, especially when an amendment must be read in conjunction with other documents, like the rest of our Declaration. As an example, the US Constitution and its 27 amendments are established law in this land but many of us argue incessantly about the actual implications of the language in them. Even when our Supreme Court makes constitutional decisions, there is often a minority of justices giving a dissenting opinion. If the Supreme Court can’t always agree, why should we expect that here in RVR we will always agree when reading through our documents? So, if some of us read the STR amendment and are led to believe that they will face a fine of $10,000 for having a dog sitter stay at their home, well, that’s on them. That is simply not a reasonable interpretation of the amendment, nor does it further the stated intent of keeping people from using RVR properties as short term rentals.
For those seeking reasons to vote down the amendment, no amount of reassurance is likely to dissuade them from such strained readings of it. Please just read the amendment for yourself and think about what it means to you. Discuss it with your family and friends. Then, vote your conscience. Understandably, many people want precise answers to their questions and concerns, but that kind of exactitude is uncommon in our modern lives. The simple truth is that if you want STRs to remain in RVR, then vote NO to the amendment; if you want to restrict STRs in RVR, then vote YES.
Sincerely,
Michael Banbury
RVRMA Board President
