Neighbors complain an Airbnb turned event venue is disrupting Cromartie Beach Drive; city to review short‑term rental rules

A Cromartie Beach Drive resident told the City of Albany Commission on June 3 that a property purchased in March 2022 has been operated as a commercial event venue — separate from short‑term listings — and that frequent large parties are disrupting the neighborhood and creating safety and access problems.

Tommy Gregors (resident) told the commission he and neighbors met the purchasers when they bought the house, but the owners “turned it into an Airbnb” and now rent it as a public event space. Gregors said events have included posted social‑media advertisements, tickets for sale, amplified music, alcohol and vendors; he described multiple events last year and a large event on May 25 that produced heavy traffic and shuttle buses from Heath Park. “We can't even sit outside in our yard in the afternoons,” Gregors said, and he said there were as many as 100 to 400 attendees at some events and that blocked driveways and trash in the street had followed.

Gregors and commissioners said the police have responded multiple times; he said police would lower the music but the activity resumed after officers left. He also said off‑duty Daugherty County officers had worked security at events and that APD officers had been on scene during the most recent event.

Legal and enforcement questions Commissioners and the city attorney discussed whether the rental activity is covered by the city’s short‑term rental ordinance, noting the owner appears to be removing listings from Airbnb and using private promoters rather than listing publicly. Commissioner Vilnius Gaines said the short‑term rental ordinance imposes a $500 fine for a first violation and higher penalties for subsequent violations, and asked whether the property had been fined.

Commissioners said the apparent tactic of removing a listing from Airbnb and renting the property through an intermediary can create an enforcement gap. Several commissioners urged staff to examine ordinance language, find gaps other jurisdictions addressed and consider proactive remedies such as seeking injunctions when social‑media posts advertise a commercial event in a residential zone. Commissioner John Howard said Chattanooga Hills had revised its short‑term rental rules to close similar loopholes and asked staff to review those changes.

City response and next steps City staff and the city attorney said they would investigate the complaints, determine applicable ordinance violations and advise the commission on enforcement options. Chief Johnson (police) and the city manager were reported to have already been contacted about the property. Commissioners asked staff to explore legal tools that could be used before an advertised event occurs — for example, temporary injunctions or targeted code enforcement — and to return with recommended ordinance clarifications.

No fines, injunctions or other formal actions were recorded in the transcript for the June 3 session.