So, your argument is that no one should open bars ever? Unless the neighbors get to vote and agree on it? Who counts as a neighbor? (I understand "the city" represents the neighbors and passes zoning laws, etc. That this is currently the case doesn't make it right.)
Yes, someone should be able to operate a brothel or bar on their own property. I don't see why this is even controversial, but for some reason it is incredibly so.
If the neighbors don't like it, they can move. As long as the owner isn't physically harming anyone, they should be left alone on their own property.
This whole argument is disingenuous, however, since the people complaining aren't neighbors, but hotels pissed off at having competition.
Well, the bar example is fairly interesting: in lots of localities, that's exactly how things work. This is one thing that leads to bar or nightlife districts in cities, as no other residential areas want to deal with the issues caused by bars.
It is hotels complaining, for now, and I don't think anyone is taking the POV that we should respect their legally privileged position just because they already have it. But a lot of these and similar laws have existed for awhile, because various bad actors have abused short term renting in the past. And if Airbnb and similar setups become more widespread (as they're bound to do), we do want to have some legal framework to deal with issues as they arise.
Yes, someone should be able to operate a brothel or bar on their own property. I don't see why this is even controversial, but for some reason it is incredibly so.
If the neighbors don't like it, they can move. As long as the owner isn't physically harming anyone, they should be left alone on their own property.
This whole argument is disingenuous, however, since the people complaining aren't neighbors, but hotels pissed off at having competition.