Residents press Alpine council to deny one STR permit as city explains recurring sewer backups

Several residents told the Alpine City Council on April 16 that short‑term rentals (STRs) are disrupting neighborhood life, and one speaker urged denial of a specific permit at 405 West Avenue E.

Shelley Atwood, who identified herself as a Ward 4 resident, asked the council to "deny the special use permit for 405 West Avenue E, which seeks to keep operating as a short term rental." Atwood said since the property became an STR her neighborhood has experienced repeated sewer backups, a severed gas line during repair work and late‑night noise that has required police calls. "This STR brings sewer backups, noise, and risks, eroding Alpine's charm," she told the council.

City staff and council discussed sewer issues during the agenda. Interim utility staff (identified in the meeting as Johnny and described in presentations as interim utility leadership) explained that the city's system is gravity‑fed and that recent backups have stemmed from a combination of sources — grease, wipes/paper products, tree roots, and other inappropriate items entering the mains — rather than a single property. Staff described mechanical responses (jetting lines, using metal rods to remove blockages and root‑cutting attachments), preventive maintenance (degreasers and acid treatments) and a planned public‑education PSA showing items pulled from the system.

Council debated possible municipal responses to STR impacts. Council Member Stevens suggested targeted outreach to STR owners and a dedicated one‑page flyer landlords could post inside units to inform guests what not to flush and other rules. He also raised the possibility of permitting changes in the future, such as non‑owner‑occupied limits, higher fees or additional safety standards. City Manager Megan said the city would circulate the PSA to STR owners and businesses and that utility crews would continue preventive work.

Despite the resident testimony, the council voted unanimously to approve special use permit 2025-04-02 (405 West Avenue E) as part of the consent agenda after removing items for separate discussion and addressing sewer concerns on the record. Multiple additional STR permits on the consent agenda were also approved; the City Secretary recorded the consent agenda passage and the separate vote on the removed items.

Ending: Staff said it will distribute a public education campaign on proper disposal practices to STR owners and operators and will continue infrastructure maintenance; the council did not change the permit decision at this meeting.