Planners adopt lake
short-term rental policy
Staff writer
Planning and zoning Commissioners will recommend lowering the maximum of people allowed at short-term rentals to six from what was previously eight to 12
The biggest change P & Z will recommend to the county commission is lowering the maximum of people allowed at a lake home to six, down from what was previously eight to 12.
To reduce dust limits on two to three per lake home was recommended.
If the lake home has more than two bedrooms, another vehicle would be allowed.
“What we want to solve is for these parking spaces to be well defined,” said chairman Josh Weiser, who was selected at the beginning of the meeting.
But the question is who would enforce the regulations.
“Enforcement in zoning regulations is a tricky thing,” consultant Russ Ewy said.
Planning and zoning director Sharon Olmstead would investigate whether violations occur. If they do homeowners could be fined or lose conditional use permits.
Some wanted to place a moratorium decisions on short-term rentals.
“A moratorium would be a loss of $2 million.” commissioner Dax Kannady said. “It will bring down property prices.”
Some commissioners questioned the load that short-term rentals would place on sewer lines.
Kannady said a full-time resident living at the lake put more stress on sewer lines.
If someone is purchasing a home the buyer should be told about any sewer problems, director Chase Gann said.
“We are still going to look at units and bedrooms regardless of the sewer,” Ewy said.
During public comment resident Elise Harper, who has operated a short-term rental for two to three years, asked about parking stipulations, and told one additional space beyond the two for each additional room.
“When did short-term rental become a problem,” she asked?”
Another resident called the sewer argument silly. Renting to a family 45 times a year results in less sewer usage use than a year resident, she said.