11-27-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 13, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 16. #17-3984 — CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT: RENTAL LICENSING, VACATION RENTAL PROHIBITION — Continued Printup noted Orono is also a low service community, which helps keep taxes low. Printup stated the answer to the primary problem has an easy solution, which is not to allow it. Walsh stated in his view transient is an issue, because once it is allowed, the word will get out there and people will buy homes on the lake so they can rent them out. Walsh stated long-term rentals tend to be more stable. Dankey commented there a lot of people who used to live in this area that come back here for the weekend to attend weddings and other events or just to see people. Seals asked what will happen with the current rentals. Mattick stated they would not be grandfathered in and that he would encourage the City Council to deal with it through licensing. Mattick stated the concept of grandfathering is more of a zoning issue and this would be more akin to a business license. Crosby stated in his view there should be some time before the new rules take effect so the current rental properties can make the transition. Walsh stated it will be at least January before something gets approved. Seals asked why it needs to be 30 days. Crosby stated if someone has to come here to relocate for a job, that would be a reasonable thing since they would eventually become entrenched in the community. Crosby stated someone who comes her for the weekend or a day is not going to become part of the community. Walsh stated other communities have gone with 30 days and that it appears to be working pretty well for them. Walsh stated the City can get the new ordinance on the books and then tweak it. Crosby commented he would be okay with the exception on the homestead properties renting out a room. Printup noted this is not unique to Orono and that it is happening across the nation. It was the consensus of the City Council that some type of license be required and that the property owner should be allowed two strikes before they lose their license for a period of time. Seals stated a violation call could also result in another charge and the fee could be based on the number of rooms being rented out. Walsh stated he does not want to get into the weeds on the specific rules but that they can get a basic structure in place. Walsh stated he does not want to tell the rental property owners what to do but that they need a license. Crosby stated the licensing fee would also help cover some of the City's costs. Page 9 of 17