02-26-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 12, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. (Recess taken from 9:00 p.m. to 9:07 p.m.) 19. #17-384 CITY OF ORONO: TEXT AMENDMENT: RENTAL LICENSING, VACATION RENTAL PROHIBITION Barnhart noted the City Council directed Staff to prepare two ordinances that would prohibit the rental of a residential home for a period less than 30 days and an ordinance that would prohibit short-term rentals but also allow for a resident to rent up to one room of their home to no more than two people for a short term. In response to the workshop discussion and direction, Staff has prepared three draft ordinances: Option A is an ordinance that prohibits short-term rentals and requires a license. Option B is an ordinance that prohibits short-term rentals and does not require a rental license. Option C is an ordinance that enhances the City's existing noise regulations, giving the Orono Police Department more tools with which to evaluate noise issues when they occur. Barnhart noted an email was received over the weekend requesting that up to two bedrooms be allowed to be rented in a person's home. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on which way they would like to proceed. Dankey questioned how the City would know if someone has four people staying in their house versus one person. Dankey stated in her view the City is trying to legislate rentals for one problem in the community and that it seems like Staff is doing a lot of work for something that has not become a nuisance in the community, especially considering how many people are currently renting out. Mayor Walsh opened the public hearing at 9:11 p.m. 19. #17-384 CITY OF ORONO: TEXT AMENDMENT: RENTAL LICENSING, VACATION RENTAL PROHIBITION — Continued Steve Elliott, 1400 Baldur Park Road, stated he has read the information regarding the meeting tonight and that what struck him is the point that is being missed. Elliott stated the discussion has focused around disrespectful behavior such as noise and lack of parking and the accumulation of trash. Elliott stated those are not the issues and that the real issue is safety to the residents in the neighborhood. Elliott noted he has been living next door to one of these locations and during the ten weeks this past summer that the property has been rented, there have been 8 to 12 people in the residence at one time. That amounts to around 160 twenty -some year-olds who have been in there during that time. Elliott stated some of the guests have been very rude, very disrespectful, wander into his yard and elsewhere, and his daughter does not want to go out in the back yard because she does not feel safe. Elliott stated a safety issue has been created because of what is being allowed. Elliott stated he has also had people knocking on his door asking to buy drugs. Page 16 of 22