03-14-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 14, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 13. #15-3759 CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT: SHORT-TERM (VACATION) RENTALS ORDINANCE (continued) Walsh noted there is language in the draft ordinance about parties, which raises the question of what would constitute a party. Walsh indicated he would be in agreement with the 24-hour emergency contact requirement in case the City needs to get ahold of someone. McMillan stated on her street they had some problems with a long-term rental, which was 18 months, and that the renters were selling drugs out of the house. McMillan indicated they also had problems with another long-term rental in their neighborhood who allowed his dogs to run loose. McMillan indicated the neighborhood had problems with noise and lights being left on all night. McMillan stated in general rentals can create issues, especially when the property owner is not onsite. McMillan stated she realizes there are some websites that lets someone rent a room and the homeowner is onsite, but that it is basically turning a residential home into a commercial/residential property. McMillan concurred that an emergency contact number should be required regardless if it rented out for two days or two years, but noted that Staff will not be available on the weekends. McMillan commented she is hesitant about regulating short-term rentals, and that if the City chooses to regulate them, it is best if the ordinance is not too specific since each situation is different. Walsh noted the City of Crystal requires an annual license, with an annual inspection by the city inspector, and that they require all code violations to be brought up to speed. Walsh stated he understands the issues with rentals, and if this is opened up, the City should do all that rather than piecemeal it. Printup commented he likes the inspection requirement. McMillan stated it requires a lot more paperwork on the part of the City to do that and can be expensive. Levang noted she attended the Planning Commission listening session and that there were a couple of people in attendance who were renting a house that was not their primary residence so they could continue to own the property. There were others that did it as a bed and breakfast and were onsite, with the renters staying different amounts of time. Levang stated the problem is how to deal with all these different permutations and come up with a solution that covers them all. Levang stated she understands what Mr. Knutson was saying about having three different families in one week and that seems to be a little much for the neighbors to have to put up with. Levang stated the Council will need to decide if they are okay with six months or 30 days. Levang stated of the people who came to the listening session, many indicated they did prescreening and then had a very extensive list of the requirements that had to be followed. Levang stated the folks who were in contact with the City took very good care of their property. Knutson commented he agrees with what Council Member Levang is saying but that they have to take into consideration the people that live around that house and that he is not sure there has been much consideration given to the neighbors. Page 28 of 37