Planning commission rescinds earlier moratorium recommendation and denies street-specific ban on short-term rentals

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to rescind part of a prior recommendation from its July 17 meeting that asked City Council to consider a moratorium on new short-term rental licenses in areas originally developed as residential. Instead the commission voted to recommend denial of a petition from West Caroline Street residents seeking to end short-term rental activity on that street.

A commission member who had moved the earlier recommendation acknowledged the wider frustration that prompted the July motion but said that suggesting a moratorium was outside the scope of the original request and that new and existing city ordinances that are coming into effect should be enforced more vigorously instead of imposing a moratorium. He said he would withdraw the moratorium recommendation and replace it with a recommendation to deny the West Caroline Street petition.

Speakers during the item urged balanced enforcement. Tom Goodman and others representing the short-term rental industry said most renters respect neighbors but supported stronger enforcement of existing rules. Commissioners who supported rescinding the moratorium said the change better balances property rights, community character and the city’s responsibility to enforce existing ordinances.

The commission voted to rescind the moratorium recommendation and to recommend denial of the West Caroline Street petition. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for the council’s consideration and any enforcement, policy or ordinance changes will remain under council authority.