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Resident urges regulation of short‑term rentals, raises safety concerns at White's Corner and calls for local support of civic protest rights
Summary
Rich Cipek, a resident of 2046 Bonneadale Drive, urged Bellbrook council on June 9 to consider stronger regulation of short‑term rentals, raised safety concerns about geese crossings near White's Corner and asked the city to be prepared to support citizens' constitutional rights during protests.
Rich Cipek, who identified himself as a Bellbrook resident at 2046 Bonneadale Drive, addressed council during public comments to raise three issues: short‑term rental regulation, a safety concern at White's Corner, and a general request that the city be prepared to support citizens' constitutional rights if local protests occur.
On short‑term rentals, Cipek said platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo can create challenges for communities when out‑of‑area owners list homes as rentals. He cited safety concerns including missing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and asked whether the city is recouping tax revenue. "If these are residents and they're making some of them over $3,000 a month renting out these spaces, that's going straight to Airbnb," he said. He asked the council to consider rules similar to those in Waynesville, including higher permit fees, fire‑safety inspections and parking regulations.
Mayor Schweller and council members responded that the city does not have a municipal income tax that would capture that revenue and that bed‑and‑breakfast operations are treated differently under local code. Staff said standard building and code requirements apply to residential properties; council said it is reviewing Airbnb rules and could consider a bed tax or other regulatory changes.
Cipek also raised vehicle‑safety concerns at White's Corner caused by geese crossing roadways and near‑misses by westbound commuters on State Route 725. Council members suggested coordination with neighboring jurisdictions — the township or Centreville — because the location falls outside Bellbrook city limits.
Finally, Cipek urged the council to consider how the city could support residents exercising constitutional rights during protests and to ensure due process; he framed this as a civic readiness and community‑support issue rather than a specific policy prescription.
Council thanked Cipek for his comments and said staff would continue to review short‑term rental rules and intergovernmental coordination on roadway safety.
