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Residents say Airbnb listing turned house into large, recurring commercial events; city considers tightening short‑term rental rules
Summary
A Cromartie Beach Drive resident told the City Commission that a house converted into a ticketed event venue has produced repeated late‑night parties, traffic and safety concerns; commissioners said the short‑term rental ordinance may need revision to close a loophole when listings are taken offline and promoted privately.
Tommy Gregors, a resident of Cromartie Beach Drive, told the City of Albany Commission on June 3 that a house in his neighborhood purchased about three years ago has been operating as a commercial event venue and has produced repeated large, late‑night parties, noise, parking congestion and safety concerns.
“Cars were double parked there. They are shuttling guests in from Heath Park,” Gregors said. He told the commission he documented eight commercial events over the last two years, with last month’s May 25 event causing major traffic delays — Gregors said it took him six minutes to drive down his street during that event — and that events have drawn “anywhere from 100 to 300 or 400 plus” attendees. He said last year one event led to a police‑breakup after a fight.
Gregors said the owner has removed some listings from Airbnb and instead uses private promoters and social media to advertise events and sell tickets, limiting the city’s ability to act under the existing short‑term rental framework. Commissioner Vilnius Gaines noted the city’s short‑term rental ordinance carries fines (he cited a $500 first violation figure) and local contact‑person requirements but asked whether the ordinance addresses situations where a residence is used as a commercial event venue outside of advertised short stays.
Commissioners and staff said the ordinance enacted last October was intended to address short‑term rentals but may leave loopholes for promoters who pull listings offline. The commission directed staff to review other municipalities’ ordinances and consider revisions; one commissioner suggested the city consider injunctions or pre‑event enforcement when advertising is visible on social media so officials can act before events begin.
City staff confirmed the police have responded to several of the events and that officers sometimes curtailed activity temporarily but returned later when music resumed. Gregors asked for more proactive enforcement to prevent events that, he said, render emergency vehicle access difficult on his dead‑end street.
No formal enforcement action or ordinance change was approved at the work session; commissioners asked staff and the city attorney to research options and return with potential ordinance amendments or enforcement steps.
