Hocking Zoning Commission summarizes public engagement; short-term rentals, infrastructure and enforcement top concerns

The Hocking Zoning Commission on Feb. 27 reviewed months of public engagement and survey results, announced a March 25 community meeting at the Hocking Hills Retreat Center and summarized recurring concerns—chiefly short-term rentals, infrastructure impacts and enforcement gaps—that will shape the commission's recommendations.

“This is a summary of all the public engagements that we've had thus far,” Audie (staff member) told the commission as he presented slides summarizing stakeholder meetings, a 21-question survey and outreach at the county fair.

Commissioners and staff said the material matters because possible recommendations could include new local regulations, registration and tax-classification changes, and coordination with emergency services and county offices to address safety and funding gaps.

Survey and stakeholder results

The commission reported roughly 400 survey responses collected before the end of the prior year. The questionnaire contained 21 questions and, the commission said, about 90% of respondents were Hocking County residents; respondents were 55.83% female and roughly three-quarters were older than 40. Commissioners summarized the largest areas of concern—enforcement and governance, infrastructure impacts, and housing affordability—each receiving roughly similar shares of concern in the commission's charts (about 20–22% each).

On short-term rentals specifically, the commission said 68% of survey respondents favored some form of regulation…