10-09-2017 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

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—Continued going to get mauled. The next day there were two dogs there that did the same thing to his 12-year-old and knocked him down right in the middle of their property. Elliott stated the noise is just nonstop throughout the day and that they can't get away from it. Elliott stated the language and stories go way too far and that there are also parking issues. Elliott stated the renters take a lot of liberties and just park wherever. A couple of times there were boat trailers parked in his driveway and that the renters are constantly trespassing. Elliott commented that would not be a problem if the neighbors are coming in your yard or it's the neighbors' kids and you know them,but it is an issue because these are strangers. Elliott stated generally they are 30 some year old men that are intoxicated and playing drinking games. Elliott stated it has gotten to a point where he would consider it out of control and that it has definitely impacted his life. Elliott encouraged the City Council to consider some tight regulations or requiring a longer rental period. Matt Johnson, 1432 Shoreline Drive, stated he did own an VRBO next to Bill Wolfson and that when he learned that several neighbors made complaints about the property to the City,he told the neighbors what he was doing and gave them his number. Johnson stated some of the neighbors were really concerned about not knowing the people in there,which he understands,but at the same time he travels and uses VRBO all the time. Johnson stated he just bought a place in Florida and that that market has a lot of VRBO and that it is a great service. Johnson stated he does not care what the City decides,but that the people who are doing it well have repeat customers. Johnson stated it is way more cost effective for the landlord to have longer-term rentals. Johnson indicated he also had limitations on the number of cars that could be at his VRBO and that he tried to make it clear it is a residential neighborhood. Johnson commented there are people who are doing it well and effectively and that they have people booked out for a year in advance. Johnson stated if the City decides to adopt something,they should give people some time to get their bookings and that it is something for the Council to think about. Johnson stated he supports accountability of the landlords whether it is short-term or long-term rental. Johnson commented the Baldur Park rental seems like one terrible situation for sure that needs some law enforcement involvement because it sounds like there are plenty of violations that are occurring there regularly but that he does not want to punish everyone because of a couple specific problems. Printup stated while it might be a great service,the question is whether Orono wants to do this. Johnson noted there are not a bunch of hotel options in this area. Crosby noted most places in Florida are for 30 days and they are longer term. Dankey stated her rental in Florida is usually one week. Page 20 of 23