It has become apparent that the impact of short-term vacation rentals has reached a critical juncture in the community of Naramata. It takes people living here (not just vacationing here) to create and support a Community.

We are asking the RDOS to take immediate steps to enact a bylaw to govern short term rentals in Area E that would encompass the following principles:

• Balance short term housing stock with long term housing stock. If you have a vacation rental on your property, make it mandatory to have long term accommodation (occupied by home owner or long term renter) on your property as well. Look to Tofino, Summerland and Revelstoke for insight - these communities have recently used a similar approach to provide balance in their communities, allowing for economic opportunity for the property owner and ensuring that both the vacation rental and the resident owner/long term rental are adhering to good neighbour living.

If you agree, we invite you to sign our petition now, asking for the RDOS to address this issue immediately in Area E, independent of the OCP and TUP processes.