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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,February 16,2016 <br /> 6:30 dclock p.m. <br /> Barnhart noted language that appears elsewhere in the Code is in italics and can be removed if the <br /> Planning Commission feels it is redundant. <br /> Barnhart stated he would like to get some more feedback from the Planning Commission tonight and then <br /> move it forward to the City Council. <br /> Lemke asked if he received any rental agreements. <br /> Barnhart indicated he did not. <br /> Lemke asked if the draft ordinance was set at a minimum of three nights. <br /> Barnhart noted some people at the workshop felt a maximum was more appropriate and some felt that <br /> three was too much of a minimum. Staff feels three is appropriate since most people will rent the home <br /> for a long weekend. Barnhart stated the issue is with one group of people renting it for one night and <br /> another group the next night. Barnhart stated requiring a minimum of three nights helps to respect the <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Thiesse stated in his view three nights are a little too much and that some of these will be weekend <br /> rentals, which is only two nights. <br /> Landgraver indicated he is in agreement with Commissioner Thiesse. <br /> Schoenzeit stated to his knowledge the City has yet to hear from one person who has been the victim of <br /> the noise and has only received one complaint that was actually from the homeowner. Schoenzeit noted <br /> the City has no actual documented abuse cases and that they chose to do nothing about the rooster lady <br /> due to the low volume of complaints. Schoenzeit stated in his view this is an ordinance in search of a <br /> problem that does not exist. <br /> Landgraver noted there is a letter in the packet from a resident that says they are against rentals. <br /> Thiesse stated this is the ground floor and similar ordinances are popping up in a number of cities. <br /> Thiesse stated Orono is not asking the property owners to do anything more than what some of them are <br /> already doing. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the real issue is who the City can call on short notice to deal with a problem. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the draft ordinance has a pretty good overlap with existing ordinances and that in his <br /> view this ordinance encroaches on property owners' rights. <br /> Lemke noted Item No. 3 says that short-term rentals may be permitted at the owner's principal place of <br /> residence only. Lemke noted one person at the workshop mentioned she had another property a few <br /> doors away and that she does not live there. Lemke stated she also indicated that if she cannot rent it <br /> would be a financial hardship. <br /> Barnhart stated there was another gentleman who raised the same concern as well regarding a cabin on <br /> Big Island. Barnhart stated he understands their point but that the City needs to be careful to make sure <br /> the neighborhood retains that residential character. Barnhart stated he looks at it as a situation similar to a <br /> home occupation and that the person needs to live there to have a home occupation. Barnhart stated in his <br /> Page 22 of 30 <br />