Letter: Vote ‘no’ on Vail’s short-term rental tax
The town of Vail has repeatedly shown poor performance in real estate development. Given its record of mismanagement, the town should reduce — not expand — its role in housing projects. Affordable housing should be funded by the businesses and developers that create the demand for workers, not by short-term rental property owners.
Vail Resorts met its obligation to include affordable housing and secured approvals to build in East Vail. Yet the town reversed course, rescinded approvals, and seized the land through eminent domain. This action protected a few homeowners and bighorn sheep habitat — but at a steep cost to taxpayers. Vail residents paid millions for the land and legal fees, the housing was never built, and the town damaged its reputation with future developers.
This episode highlights why the town cannot be trusted to manage or regulate affordable housing. It wasted taxpayer money, failed to deliver results, and discouraged private investment.
Proposition 2A would expand government involvement in real estate and channel more taxpayer funds to an entity with a poor track record. This is not sound policy. The town’s role should be limited to requiring that developers include adequate affordable housing as part of their projects, leaving the actual building and management to professionals.
Affordable housing should be financed by the businesses and employers who need the workforce, not by imposing new taxes on short-term rental owners. Many such units cannot convert to long-term rentals due to design and amenities. With the ski industry facing economic challenges, this is the wrong time to raise taxes on residents and property owners.
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Donald Ray Zelkind
Vail
