Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,October 9,2017 <br /> 7:00 dclock p.m. <br /> 14. AUTHORIZATION TO REVIEW POSSIBLE ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT SHORT- <br /> TERM RENTALS—Continued <br /> Printup stated in his view the upcoming Super Bowl is why it is important to have something in Orono's <br /> tool box to deal with the short-term rentals. Printup stated the City Council also needs to think about the <br /> stranger component with the short-term rentals and that there is the potential of different people coming in <br /> every weekend. Printup stated the City would be able to go after the property owner if they have <br /> something on the books and that in his view short-term rentals should only occur at a homesteaded <br /> property rather than a non-homesteaded property. <br /> Farniok noted if there is a violation relating to current code,the police department can enforce that now <br /> and that they will continue to address situations as they arise. <br /> Dankey asked if a week-long rental would be more beneficial than a weekend rental. Dankey stated in <br /> her view a family would be more likely to rent for a week and that a bachelor party would likely be just <br /> over the weekend. <br /> Farniok stated he does not see a difference since it depends on what the property is and how it is being <br /> used. <br /> Walsh stated summertime is probably when the most abuse happens and that the City needs something in <br /> the tool box to address issues. Walsh stated the homestead versus non-homesteaded is something to <br /> consider and that longer term rentals tend to provide more stability than a weekend rental. <br /> Walsh asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. <br /> Bill Wolfson, 3399 Crystal Bay Road, stated he did live next to a VRBO that was owned by Matt Johnson <br /> and that he never had any issues. Wolfson indicated he also has a VRBO and that the burden is on him to <br /> prequalify the people to make sure they are good renters. In addition,the city requires him to have a <br /> license and that the house has the typical safety features like smoke detectors. Wolfson stated that system <br /> works well. The online systems also allow the property owners to rate people so the renters know they <br /> have accountability or a track record. <br /> Wolfson noted someone could have a bad long-term renter and that the property owner has less recourse <br /> against them. Wolfson stated the price point in Orono defends a little bit against a bad renter. Wolfson <br /> stated the City currently has regulations here against noise and parking and that further regulations <br /> reducing private property rights is a concern for him. Wolfson stated whenever the City starts to regulate <br /> something new, everyone does a mad dash to say they are existing or to get a license. <br /> Walsh stated the question is whether the property owner's rights outweigh the neighbors' property rights. <br /> Wolfson commented he is not sure whether there is any hard data that Orono is experiencing any issues. <br /> Dankey stated she is in agreement with the property rights and that in her view a license works. <br /> Wolfson stated he also pays a fee every time he rents the property out to help offset the City's <br /> enforcement costs. , <br /> Printup stated the price point could also mean that more people share in the rental fee. <br /> Page 17 of 23 <br />