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Council Exhibit C MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,February 16,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. 6. #15-3759 CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT, SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS,9:20 P.M.—9:46 P.M. Barnhart noted at its February 3 workshop,the Planning Commission heard from seven property owners commenting on the proposed vacation rental ordinance. Those seven property owners are among the 12 vacation rental owners identified by Staff after searching through the various vacation rental websites. Most of the comments received respected the need for regulation, with the owners indicating that they are more protective with their own home and property than the City would be, but they did not want overly restrictive regulations. They also did not support a total ban on vacation rentals. Staff has prepared a basic draft ordinance. There was some discussion at the workshop about removing certain criteria included in the draft ordinance. Barnhart noted the draft ordinance has not been modified and that he would like to hear some mare input from the Planning Commission tonight. At the workshop Barnhart stated he heard from the Planning Commission that there should be some regulation, such as a license, but not a prohibition. The draft resolution includes 15 criteria and Staff report includes an analysis of that criteria. Barnhart noted language that appears elsewhere in the Code is in italics and can be removed if the Planning Commission feels it is redundant. Barnhart stated he would like to get some more feedback from the Planning Commission tonight and then move it forward to the City Council. Lemke asked if he received any rental agreements. Barnhart indicated he did not. Lemke asked if the draft ordinance was set at a minimum of three nights. Barnhart noted some people at the workshop felt a maximum was more appropriate and some felt that three was too much of a minimum. Staff feels three is appropriate since most people will rent the home for a long weekend. Barnhart stated the issue is with one group of people renting it for one night and another group the next night. Barnhart stated requiring a minimum of three nights helps to respect the neighborhood. Thiesse stated in his view three nights are a little too much and that some of these will be weekend rentals, which is only two nights. Landgraver indicated he is in agreement with Commissioner Thiesse. Schoenzeit stated to his knowledge the City has yet to hear from one person who has been the victim of the noise and has only received one complaint that was actually from the homeowner. Schoenzeit noted the City has no actual documented abuse cases and that they chose to do nothing about the rooster lady due to the low volume of complaints. Schoenzeit stated in his view this is an ordinance in search of a problem that does not exist. Landgraver noted there is a letter in the packet from a resident that says they are against rentals. Page 1 of 5