Commission approves short-term rental at 5313 West Country Club Drive after neighbor objections

The Stillwater Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve a one-year short-term rental permit for 5313 West Country Club Drive after hearing objections from neighbors about safety, parking and unlicensed rentals.

"As I said before, I live 10 houses down from the subject property," said Garrett Baker, the applicant, introducing himself to the commission. Baker described renovating a house he said had been "in complete disarray" and said the short-term rental (Airbnb) was intended primarily for friends and family with occasional rental income. "We spent about a couple of months and did a complete renovation of the inside [and] outside," Baker said.

Neighbors who spoke in opposition raised safety and traffic concerns on the block, which has no sidewalks, and described past incidents they said made the block hazardous for children. "We have women with baby carriages, about 3 a day in good weather... They're all in the street because there is no sidewalk," said resident Lorna Stein. Neighbors Tina Fugate and Kent Deeball, who live across the street, told the commission the house had been rented before a license was issued and that on several occasions vehicles parked in front of driveways prevented them from getting out. Fugate said she had counted "6 cars parked in front of our house" and described interior features listed on rental sites that she said increase the risk of large gatherings, including bunk beds and a pool table.

Baker told the commission he had shared his phone number with neighbors and said he would adopt neighborhood-friendly policies. "I'm open to adding [no parties] to our policy... we're open to the no parties, the no street parking, and... specific quiet hours," Baker said. He said the house sleeps 12 and that the owners use a two-night minimum. He also said the driveway offered "ample parking" and that he would be willing to prohibit on-street parking when six or more vehicles are expected.

Staff explained that the short-term rental approval is for one year and that there is a renewal process handled administratively; if ownership changes, a new application is required. Commissioners discussed the complaint process and enforcement steps: noise complaints would go to the police department, other code complaints to code enforcement, and the City Clerk can help direct complainants.

After Commissioners discussed typical conditions they ask property owners to adopt (no parties, quiet hours, minimum age of renters, and parking rules), a commissioner moved to approve "the short term rental as presented." The motion passed 5-0.

The approval grants a one-year short-term rental permit. Staff said the permit may be subject to staff review at renewal and that the commission could hear revocation at any time if complaints and enforcement actions warrant further action.