With a new member on board, the Hood River City Council moved closer to establishing new zoning requirements for short-term housing rentals, instructing municipal staff to come back with an ordinance based on planning commission recommendations.  New Councilor Tim Counihan expressed his support for the planning commission concept to give preference for STR’s in residential zones to those who have established their house as a primary residence.  After long discussion in which nearly every idea expressed was countered by a potential unintended consequence, on a 4-2 vote the Council asked staff to come back with an ordinance that will provide for a seven-year amortization period in which those renting homes that are not their primary residence to continue to do so to the same extent they are now, with a requirement to comply with parking requirements for STR’s within five years.  Primary residents could rent their homes for a period of up to 90 days, depending on previous usage level.  City Manager Steve Wheeler told the Council staff should have an ordinance before them for a public hearing at their August 22^nd meeting.