10-09-2017 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCII.MEETING Monday,October 9,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 14. AUTHORIZATION TO REVIEW POSSIBLE ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT SHORT- TERM RENTALS—ConNnued Kristi Anderson, 1408 Baldur Park Road,noted she did send an e-mail to each of the Council Members yesterday enumerating the reasons why they have been experiencing issues. Anderson stated the Minnesota Short-term Rental Agreement references Shorewood and the fact that they do not have the resources to possibly enforce a lot of issues,which is why they chose to prohibit them. The City of Savage banned rental of homes for shorter than 15 days because they felt it rose to the level of a business. Anderson stated the question is whether the right of someone to rent their property rises to the level of a business,and if the City Council is looking at creating a resort atmosphere similar to Stillwater,even they have put other restrictions on it,such as limiting the number of rentals and limiting the number of bedrooms that can be rented out. Stillwater has also adopted a policy of three strikes and you are out. Anderson stated there are a lot of tools and resources out there that can be implemented and that she is hoping Orono will have this conversation because as a resident she feels the use has intensified over the past few years. Anderson stated they have major safety concerns with short-term rentals because they now have strangers that are renting next door. The house is on a 50-foot lot and the online advertising for the house states that it accommodates 12 to 15,which turns into a party. Anderson indicated she has a daughter who does not want to step outside because she gets heckled and is subject to lewd comments if she has a swimming suit on. Anderson commented it is appalling to her that every time she steps outside she has to see if there is a dog out there that might attack or whether someone else is out there. Anderson stated she is not quite sure that this is something the Council has given much thought to. Anderson questioned why the City is protecting the renters as opposed to all the neighbors who are paying their taxes and are homesteaded and want to protect the character of their neighborhood. Anderson stated her neighborhood consists of 50-foot lots and the residents are very close to each other. Every weekend there is a different party that brings in anywhere from 12 to 28 cars. Baldur Park Point is a small,narrow street,and if there are 28 cars there for a party at a rental house,it deters everyone from enjoying their leisure time. Anderson stated the City Council should consider whether short-term rentals belong on a small lot like hers. Anderson noted the City of Prior Lake used a sliding scale to limit the number of people and to allow something more reasonable. If the house has four bedrooms,maybe eight people are allowed. Anderson stated there have also been weddings at the neighboring house and that they asked if they could hang lights from their trees. Anderson stated they are used to being very neighborly but that this has stifled all that. Anderson stated she also works every day and that at midnight,when the renters are outside still partying, she will ask them to be quiet but then the voices rise again. Anderson stated the neighbor suggested they close their windows,which they have done,but that they can still hear the activity and partying going on even with the windows shut. Anderson stated two weeks ago there was a bachelor party and at 3 a.m. the guys ran out in the yard to go skinny dipping in the lake. Anderson commented she does not want to have to call the police every time something happens but that she will do that if that is what it takes. In addition,the renters will leave the trash out for several days,the trash ends up getting knocked over, and the neighbors have to pick up what is blowing around. Anderson stated the neighbors should not Page 18 of 23