Glens Falls council adopts zoning changes to regulate short-term rentals

The Glens Falls Common Council on Jan. 28 adopted a local law to regulate short-term rentals in the city, and the council issued a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) negative declaration finding no significant environmental impact from the zoning changes.

The action follows public comment from local hosts and a brief council discussion. Supporters who spoke during the public-comment period said short-term rentals provide flexible lodging options for visitors and supplement household incomes. Opponents did not address the council during that period; the council discussed administrative details such as which office should process permits.

Karen McShane, a Glens Falls resident and short-term rental host, told the council she owns two Airbnb units and that she has “never had any trouble with any kind of behavior,” adding that she pays sales and occupancy taxes to Warren County. Christine McGee, another host, said she receives five-star ratings and that rentals help supplement retirement income. William Pance, also speaking from the neighborhood, said the main concern is absentee hosts and suggested some properties be grandfathered in if the city restricts new rentals.

A city staff member reviewed the SEQRA Part 2 impact assessment with the council and read responses of “no or small impact” to items including traffic, public utilities, historic resources and natural resources. After that review, the council approved a resolution adopting the SEQRA negative declaration and then approved a resolution to adopt a local law amending Chapter 220 to add short-term rental provisions. A council member moved to approve the measure and said the council could amend administrative details — such as which office handles permit processing — at a future meeting.

The adopted ordinance text and the permit-processing assignment are recorded in the council file. The council instructed staff to return with any needed administrative amendments; the council noted a discrepancy flagged by the city clerk’s office about whether permit applications should be handled by the clerk or the building and codes office and said that technical fixes can be made at the next meeting.

The measure affects homeowners who operate short-term rentals, nearby residents concerned about absentee hosts, and the city’s permit-processing and code-enforcement functions. The council did not specify a vote tally in the public transcript; the resolutions were approved by roll-call vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.

The council’s action formalizes local zoning rules for short-term rentals and directs staff to finalize administrative language and permit procedures in a forthcoming amendment or advisory document.