The following table is a quick-reference for comparison of three options:
- The PRC amendment to be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission on June 13.
- The status quo (no short term rentals outside the Base Area).
- The revised BCPOA draft standard (for discussion – not up for consideration right now).
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Maybe this time the Commission will hear BCPOA’s Board decision against this ZTA and hear the voices of all the people who wrote and traipsed down to the Courthouse in June to object… Hopefully, the weather will not preclude attendance.
After the PRC ZTA is fully rejected, BCPOA needs to take a break, enjoy the Holidays and in the Spring, reach out to the membership to determine with MUCH MORE specificity what, if any, kind of STR permitting should happen. The community has seen three glaring recent examples of CUP’s that allowed an existing home on a property to be reclassified as a “caretaker’s residence” in order to build a larger, newer main dwelling. And in each of those cases, the prohibition on renting a caretaker’s residence was ignored and they were used for short-term rental. Why should property owners have faith in the CUP process unless it is clear enough, stringent enough and enforceable enough to stop this historic, cavalier abuse. When non-owner/investor STRs are banned we can survey how many property owners would seriously consider short-term renting their own homes, “owner-occupied”, for a limited number of days per year. Any permit must go through the Conditional Use Permit process. Whatever criteria, rules, and requirements are part of that CUP package, they will need to strong enough to deter abuse and quickly enforceable.
A few ideas for possible CUP requirements in addition to those in the BCPOA Draft.
1. Total number of days allowed for STR rental 120 days. Applicant is free to consult with the neighbors and apply for fewer days per year but no more than 120. A tourist accommodation next door for 30, 60 or 90 days may be able to win support from neighbors where a third of a year would not. Obviously, if the applicant arrives with support for the application from the neighbors, that is a great start.
2. A much faster revocation process when the terms of the CUP are broken.. TBD
3. Annual documentation of the number of days rented to be submitted to the Planning Department.
CAll me if you need a ride to the Courthouse on December 12!