Council continues debate on short‑term rental rules as neighbors press for distance limits and stronger enforcement

City council members and residents held an extended discussion about a draft short‑term rental ordinance that would create a permit regime, annual inspections, occupancy and parking limits, and distance requirements between rentals and neighboring homes.

Why it matters: Council members said the city is trying to balance property‑owner rights and neighborhood character. Residents in high‑density areas — especially lakefront neighborhoods with older, closely spaced cottages — told council that specific numeric distance limits and hard revocation criteria are necessary to prevent clustering and recurring nuisance problems.

Key points in the draft discussed at the meeting - Separation rules under consideration: the draft discussed a required minimum of 25 feet between a permitted STR premise and an adjoining residential premise and a 300‑foot separation between permitted STRs. Council members and residents debated whether those distances were appropriate and how they would be measured (foundation to foundation, gutters, decks). - Permit and renewal: the proposal being discussed would require an annual permit, application materials, proof of annual inspection by the New Franklin Fire Department, and disclosure of the listing site(s) used to advertise the unit (if any). A…