Yesterday during the work session at City Council the subject of an ordinance was before the Council on Short Term Rentals. After hearing Jim Parajon talk to us about the ordinance the Mayor stated his displeasure with the ordinance and stated that he wanted the item tabled, instead of voted on. It was evident from the straw pole that there was no support for the ordinance and that it would be defeated, probably around 7-2 or 8-1. Neighbors from a troubled neighborhood were going to arrive to the City Chambers tonight expecting to speak. So instead of letting the item be put on the table and die a slow lonely death, I mentioned to Jimmy Bennett that I would like a vote one way or another on the issue.
As I made my way down to the City Chamber, it was decided, unbeknown to me, that a vote would be taken after all. So the neighbors did have an opportunity to speak. Several people voiced their opinion concerning the deterioration of their neighborhood. Then the root of the problem stepped up the to microphone. That was the property manager of the short term rental in question. The first words out of his mouth was a lie and the hits just kept on coming. He stated that he had lived in the house since 1982. Actually he hasn't lived in the house for the past several years and he is not the owner of the house now. The owner, although in attendance, did not address the Council nor would he speak to me after the meeting. It would seem that he is very good friends with several of the Council Members and is looking to utilize those friendships instead of becoming a good neighbor. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why this person is so determined to ruin a beautiful neighborhood.
That being the situation, Council Woman Capehart wanted to study the ordinance and make changes so it was put on the table to be looked at again in the future. Personally I think that the city needs an ordinance on the books so that property owners can rent their property if they want to, and if it turns toxic, then neighbors should have recourse under the same ordinance.
It would be nice if there were more effective way for neighbors living next to long term rentals to get relief when things go toxic as well.
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact there is. I am going to a house tomorrow that is having a problem. In a long term situation the neighbor is there more than a weekend, so you can deal with it because it is on going, not transient.
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