10-09-2017 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 9,2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 14. AUTHORIZATION TO REVIEW POSSIBLE ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT SHORT- TERM RENTALS—ConNnued have to be encumbered with this. In addition,because they are having a number of people on a small lot, they are overflowing onto the neighbor's lot. Last weekend someone was trying to up someone else with their sexual escapades. Anderson stated she overhears that as well as her kids and that the people do not belong there and that it is not right for this zone or area. Anderson stated this is a good time to discuss this since the Super Bowl is coming up. Anderson stated she does not want Orono to become a pocket resort area and that she would also oppose hotel licenses going out. Anderson stated if they go by the MN Department of Health guidelines, short-term rentals have risen to the level of a hotel, and as such,regulations relating to fire code,disabilities, and other things should go along with it but it is doubtful the City wants to get into managing those things. Walsh commented his neighborhood has had longer-term renters over the years and just having a renter changes the character of the neighborhood because they care differently about the neighborhood. Walsh stated the City Council wants to tread lightly but tread well because it is important to protect the community as a whole versus the individual homeowner. Steve Elliott, 1400 Baldur Park Road, stated he moved into this neighborhood about five years ago because it was a very family oriented neighborhood and is on a dead-end road. Elliott stated he likes to spend a lot of time in the back yard or on the dock but that in the last year or two that has.completely changed because of the next door property and the short-term renters that are in there. Elliott stated they can get to know the people that are there a longer period of time but that it is mainly bachelor and bachelorette parties. Elliott stated he can no longer be outside anymore on the weekends with his daughter because by noon a couple of the people will be drunk and they will be wrestling, fighting, and swearing. Elliott stated he is uncomfortable being out there,and by 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon,his children cannot be out there given the wlgar language. Later in the evening is when the strippers show up,which is not what should be happening in Orono. Elliott stated what also goes with that are the drugs. Elliott stated probably four or five weeks ago he was sitting in his kitchen and there were two young gentlemen knocking at his glass door. Elliott stated he stepped outside to talk with them and they said they are trying to buy drugs. Elliott stated that is the kind of stuffthat you get when the City doesn't have regulations and you have two or three day rentals. Elliott noted the issue with garbage was mentioned and that he typically spends a couple days a week picking up trash. Elliott stated he also has to repair the ruts in his yard on a weekly basis from cars parking on his yard. Elliott noted the property owner lives in Washington State and would not be available if there is a problem. Elliott indicated he does text him to try to let him know what is going on but that he says they should close the windows or just not go out there. Elliott stated it is not fair that he is not able to use his property. Elliott stated last summer there were renters that were hosting the wedding that Ms.Anderson referenced and they had two huge Rottweilers that were not on leashes. Elliott indicated he was going to have surgery that afternoon and one of the dogs charged him and knocked him down. Elliott stated he thought he was Page 19 of 23